Rockland 58, Jackpot (Nev.) 8

ROCKLAND - The Rockland Bulldogs kicked off their season with a resounding 58-8 home win over Jackpot (Nev.) on Friday.

"Our kids played tough," Rockland coach Steven May said. "They played fired-up football right from the start."

In the first half alone, running back Matt Nelson and quarterback Richie Turnbeaugh each ran for two scores, while quarterback Colton Christensen completed a 70-yard pass to Tanner Kirby. The Bulldogs took a 50-8 lead into halftime.

Rockland held Jackpot to just one first down, which came on its touchdown. But the Bulldogs held firm otherwise, and Tye Colton capped off the unit's outstanding day with an interception return for a touchdown.

Rockland (1-0) has a bye next week and then travels to play Richfield on Sept. 18.

Carey 40, North Gem 14

BANCROFT - North Gem may have lost its season opener to Carey 40-14 on Friday, but coach Kevin Carey was pleased with the Cowboys' performance.

At halftime, his team was dead even with the defending state 1A Division II champions, and early in the fourth quarter, North Gem had a chance to cut its deficit to one score.

The Cowboys couldn't punch it in from the 4-yard line while trailing 26-14 in the fourth quarter, and the Panthers scored on a blocked punt and a long run after that to ice the game.

Still, the North Gem coach liked what he saw.

"It sets us up real well. We played the toughest team we'll play all year, maybe, in the first week of the season," Carey said. "To know we can hang right in there with 'em gives us a lot of confidence."

Taylor Starks and Taylor Askew caught touchdown passes of 17 and nine yards, respectively, from Tyler McLain for the Cowboys' points.

Overall, McLain led the way with 67 yards on 13 carries and 9-of-23 passing for 65 yards and the scores.

North Gem (0-1) will host Camas County next week.

Malad 39, Firth 0

MALAD - The Malad football team crushed Firth 39-0 Friday in a game that was called in the middle of the second quarter because Malad's lights failed.

One set of lights never turned on, and with about five minutes left before halftime and Malad in Firth's red zone, another set of lights shut off. The referees called the game then.

"A lot of kids would have loved to see some playing time," Malad coach McKay Young said. "We were hoping to really polish up for Declo."

That would be Malad's next opponent. The Dragons (1-1) have a bye next week before facing the Hornets on Sept. 18.

Malad took a 26-0 lead after the first quarter, with junior Buddy Southwick accounting for three touchdowns. Two of them were rushing scores. Young credited the offensive output to the Dragons' offensive line.

"They controlled the line of scrimmage the whole time," Young said.

Malad's defense also played its part, holding Firth to -25 yards.

Snake River 27, Star Valley (Wyo.) 0

MORELAND - Snake River shut out Star Valley (Wyo.) 27-0 on Friday at home.

The Panthers (2-0) scored touchdowns in each of the first three quarters before adding two field goals in the final quarter.

They rushed for 253 yards, a big improvement over their 166-yard performance last week. Emmitt Smith led them with 64 yards. Derik Williams had 60 yards and a touchdown, while Jacob Reece had 51 yards and two scores.

"It was good to see us come out and rush the ball a little bit better than we did last week," Snake River coach Jeff Dalley said.

The Panthers also held firm on defense, with Craig Trejo and C.J. Toulouse intercepting passes to maintain the shutout.

Snake River next faces Shelley.

West Side 22, Ririe 0

RIRIE - The West Side football team picked up its first win under first-year coach Tyson Moser, beating Ririe 22-0 on Friday.

Dallas Turnbow threw two touchdown passes, and West Side piled up 159 yards rushing on 45 carries in the victory.

"We really wanted to come out this week and establish our running game and move the ball," Moser said.

In the first quarter, the Pirates lost two offensive linemen to sprained ankles, and the offense couldn't get much established. Still, West Side went into half leading 6-0 on a 24-yard pass from Turnbow to Mitch Bowles.

After halftime, the Pirates adjusted with their new linemen and pulled away with a touchdown in each the third and fourth quarters.

West Side (1-1) will travel to Rich County (Utah) next week.

"If we can get our kids healthy," Moser said, "hopefully we can go down to Rich County and compete."

Highland 49, Judge Memorial (Utah) 10

SALT LAKE CITY - Highland scored a convincing 49-10 win Friday over host Judge Memorial, a 3A school in Utah.

A week after struggling in his varsity debut against Timpview, a 4A Utah school, Highland quarterback Tanner Nielson completed 19 of 27 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Nielson spread his passes to nine different receivers.

"Tanner threw well," Highland coach Gino Mariani. "He came back and really had a solid game as far as his reads and progressions. He threw on time, and the kids made plays for him."

Joseph Rasmussen led the Rams receivers with 106 yards and two touchdowns on five catches.

"He had a great game," Mariani said. "He did a nice job of running after the catch."

Sophomore running back Kai Campbell also had an outstanding game. Campbell, who made the leap from the freshman team to varsity this year, rushed for a team-high 72 yards and two touchdowns, while also hauling in five catches for 57 yards.

"He's got great moves, and he just makes people miss," Mariani said. "He's just a very gifted athlete."

Highland (1-1) next plays Highland of Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Rocky Mountain Rumble at Holt Arena.

Soda Springs 39, Bear Lake 0

MONTPELIER - Soda Springs rushed for 312 yards in a dominating 39-0 win over host Bear Lake on Friday.

The Cardinals (2-0) are undefeated on the season after going 0-8 last season. They scored 18 points in the second quarter to pull away to a 25-0 halftime lead.

Senior Tanner Passey rushed for a team-high 149 yards and three touchdowns, while junior Bradyn Bailey piled up 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground and added a 3-yard touchdown reception.

"They're both quick. We just rotate them," Soda Springs assistant coach Scott Gambles said. "Our offense just played really well."

The Cardinals' defense wasn't too far behind. It held Bear Lake to 81 yards on the ground and none in the air.

"Our defense played well again this week," Gambles said. "A couple of times, we bent but didn't break. We let them down inside our 10-yard line, but we held them."

Soda Springs travels to play Firth next week.