Here are the candidates for The Sporting News Idaho high school football team of the week for Week Seven (Oct. 2-3). Vote as many times as you'd like until 11:59 p.m. Friday, and the results will be announced in the following days.
Vote: Who should be The Sporting News Idaho high school football team of the week for Week 7?
Vote now for who had the best performance in Week 7 from these respected teams.
Top Team Performances from Week 7
Middleton Vikings (4-2): The Vikings pulled off one of the season's biggest upsets, stunning previously unbeaten and fourth-ranked Timberline 26-12 at Dona Larsen Park on Thursday. Running back Jake Perez carved up the Wolves' defense for the second consecutive year, churning out 215 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries. Middleton's defense held Timberline's high-flying offense to just 188 total yards, completely neutralizing one of the state's most potent attacks. The statement victory catapulted the Vikings back into the rankings and announced them as a serious playoff threat.
Bishop Kelly Knights (6-0): The top-ranked Knights delivered a merciless 64-0 demolition of Skyview on Thursday night, jumping out to a 50-0 halftime advantage. Bishop Kelly's defense was suffocating, limiting the Hawks to just 165 total yards while forcing three turnovers. Quarterback Ben Avella was perfect in limited duty, going 5-for-5 for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Boston Huskey hauled in three passes for 82 yards and two scores, while Eli Lynes added 80 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries in the blowout.
Rocky Mountain Grizzlies (6-0): The Grizzlies earned their first shutout of the season with an overwhelming 69-0 thrashing of Meridian in 6A SIC Foothills Division play. Quarterback Kaelan Custer was efficient through the air (6-for-8, 91 yards, TD) while punishing defenses on the ground with 116 rushing yards and two more scores. Tyke Harper contributed 107 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries as Rocky Mountain totaled 479 yards—including 380 on the ground—while limiting Meridian to a mere 48 yards.
Kendrick Tigers (7-0): The four-time reigning Class 1A state champions rolled to a 68-0 demolition of Potlatch. Junior quarterback Maddox Kirkland completed 8-of-11 passes for 247 yards with four touchdowns, while senior running back Tanner Clemenhagen rushed for nearly 200 yards. The Tigers have now won 11 straight games and outscored opponents by an astounding 483-8 margin this season.
Ririe Bulldogs (7-0): The Bulldogs became the lone unbeaten 3A team in the state with a convincing 42-28 triumph over previously undefeated West Jefferson. Kolter Lewis produced 196 yards on the ground with three scores plus a receiving touchdown as Ririe totaled 322 rushing yards. The win marked Ririe's first 7-0 start in over two decades.
Lakeland Hawks (7-0): The Hawks improved to 7-0 for the first time in over 20 years with a 62-0 blanking of Timberlake. The lopsided victory highlighted Lakeland's balanced offensive attack and lockdown defense as they continue writing one of the program's most memorable seasons.
Capital Eagles (3-3): The Eagles stormed back into the rankings with a commanding 44-3 victory over Centennial. Quarterback Brayden Dudley completed 12-of-21 passes for 363 yards and four touchdowns as Capital piled up 527 yards of offense. The offensive explosion proved Capital can compete with anyone when firing on all cylinders.
Eagle Mustangs (6-0): Everyone knew where the ball was going, but no one could stop senior Noah Burnham. The state's leading rusher powered his way to 177 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-20 victory at Owyhee, even displaying his versatility with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Kindrick. The victory moved Eagle one step closer to clinching a fourth straight 6A SIC River Division title.
West Side Pirates (4-1): The defending 3A state champions cruised to a 50-18 victory over Soda Springs behind 319 rushing yards. Micah Benavidez tallied 122 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries, while Drake Sage added 91 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in the ground-and-pound performance.
Rigby Trojans (5-1): The defending state champions delivered a 52-21 thrashing of Highland with a balanced offensive attack. Running back Amani Morel carried 17 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Jake Flowers contributed 92 rushing yards and a score plus 248 passing yards and three more touchdowns.
Week 8 Idaho high school football rankings
Vote on the Week 7 Idaho high school football player of the week