The last time Shelley and Fruitland met on the gridiron was in the 2009 3A state championship game in Holt Arena.
Shelley won the game 25-14.
After two years in the 4A ranks, the Russets are back in the 3A championship and will again take on Fruitland as the two undefeated teams meet Friday at Eagle High School.
Since the meeting in 2009, Fruitland has made two more appearances in the 3A title game, defeating Snake River in 2010 and falling to the Panthers last season.
“They want us bad,” Shelley head coach Travis Hobson said of Fruitland. “The last two times we have played them, we beat them in the state championship game. They want to beat us.”
Hobson and the Russets know that taking on the perennial 3A power Grizzlies may be the toughest test this season.
“They are not an easy opponent,” Hobson said. “They will be our biggest challenge. Fruitland is a good multidimensional team full of seniors. Our defense is going to have to show up.”
Shelley’s defense has shown up all season. As a unit, the Russets allow opponents an average of 10 points per game. Just twice this season Shelley gave up more than 14 points. The last time was Sept. 21 against Jerome.
Since that game, the Russets defense has allowed a team to score double digits just once.
“Our defense is tough,” Hobson said. “They are a very underrated unit and the reason why we score so many points. Our offense is on the field so much that it allows us to score.”
Led by linebackers Chad Leckington and Trevin Swensen and McKay Cannon in the secondary, the defense has shut down opposing offenses. But during last week’s game at Gooding, the defense was tasked with keeping Shelley in the game while the offense struggled in the first half.
“We underestimated Gooding’s game plan,” Hobson said. “We learned a lesson that we will not repeat. They said in the paper they were going to come out and hit us in the mouth and they did. Our kids blinked and could not believe what happened. That Gooding game was a good challenge for us.”
The Russets defense now has to slow down Fruitland quarterback Joe Martarano.
“We watch film and wonder, ‘What can’t this kid do?” Hobson said of Martarano. “He is 6 foot 4 inches, 230 (pounds). A third baseman that will probably be playing in the major leagues. He has a gun for an arm. He is smart and athletic. He is the real deal.”
Shelley’s defense must stop the Grizzlies offense that averages 44.1 points per game and scored 71 points three weeks ago against Kellogg.
The Russets are also led by a solid quarterback in dual threat Leckington.
The senior quarterback has made the most of his final season and will have to play one of his best games in Friday night’s game.
“Chad is going to have to be a leader on the field,” Hobson said. “He is the reason that our offense showed up against Gooding with his ability to run the football.”
Last week in the semifinals against Gooding, Leckington ran for 102 yards on 18 carries and threw for 164 yards and three touchdowns. A similar performance will be needed again this week.
Hobson said he will also need Cannon to step up.
This two teams are mirror images of each other. Both are big, athletic and a surprise to no one that they are undefeated and playing for a title.
“My kids don’t know Fruitland, but Fruitland knows us,” Hobson said. “We are very similar teams and which ever of us puts four quarters together will win.”
In his first year as head coach, Hobson has taken the Russets back to the championship game after two years in the 4A ranks. With a team full of veterans, Hobson was not surprised that his team has reached the season’s final game.
“I did expect to be playing for a trophy. It was a goal we set months ago,” Hobson said. “Our kids and staff have worked so hard and here we are 12 weeks into the season and we are still whooping and hollering at practice.”
With two teams so evenly matched Hobson expects the game to go one of two ways. It’s either going to be a low scoring game or a shootout. But he said it will probably come down to the team that has the ball last.
“It is hard to keep our kids calm,” Hobson said. “They are excited and are ready to get on the bus and go play. But we are trying to keep them under control. We will watch film and study Fruitland and be ready to play.”
Shelley takes on Fruitland Friday at 8 p.m. at Eagle High School.