Week 8 of Idaho high school football delivered another round of statement performances from the state's unbeaten elite while producing significant shuffling in the middle of the rankings. The weekend's marquee matchup saw Rigby cement its status as one of the state's premier programs with a hard-fought 23-19 victory over Madison in the Snake River Rivalry, clinching the 6A High Country Conference title and the top seed in the East region playoffs.
Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain's defense continued its recent dominance, pitching consecutive shutouts after holding Middleton to just a field goal in a 30-3 victory. The state's undefeated programs rolled on, with Bishop Kelly, Eagle, Hillcrest, Kendrick, Lakeland and Carey all extending their perfect records. But the week's biggest shakeup came in North Idaho, where Lewiston stunned sixth-ranked Sandpoint 54-27, sending the Bulldogs tumbling down the rankings and putting the Bengals firmly in playoff position.
So here are this week's state rankings:
1. Bishop Kelly (7-0) — The Knights clinched their 14th consecutive playoff berth with a 37-21 victory over Vallivue, stretching their dominance over the Falcons to 18 straight wins. Jaxon Brady needed just six offensive touches to produce 185 total yards and two touchdowns in the efficient performance. Quarterback Ben Avella finished 11-for-19 for 208 yards and a score while tacking on 54 yards and another TD on the ground. The Knights can wrap up their fourth straight 5A SIC title with a victory over Ridgevue next week.
2. Rocky Mountain (7-0) — The Grizzlies kept their opponent out of the end zone for the second consecutive week, earning a 30-3 victory over Middleton in a 6A SIC Foothills Division battle. After Middleton's Carsen McConkie converted a 33-yard field goal on the opening drive, Rocky Mountain's defense pitched a shutout the rest of the way, including a goal-line stand in the closing minutes. Junior quarterback Kaelan Custer connected with sophomore Owen Oelkers for a 45-yard touchdown before breaking loose for an 80-yard keeper, while Rasean Jones ripped off a 71-yard scoring run. Jones totaled 129 yards on just seven touches while also snagging an interception on defense. The Grizzlies face Timberline next week for the River Division crown.
3. Rigby (6-1) — The Trojans solidified their status among Idaho's best with a 23-19 triumph over Madison in the Snake River Rivalry, clinching the 6A High Country Conference title and the top seed in the East region playoffs for the fourth straight year. Senior running back Amani Morel delivered when it mattered most, rumbling for 196 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 3-yard plunge midway through the fourth quarter. Senior quarterback Jake Flowers capped a crucial second-half TD drive with a spectacular spinning 21-yard run. The defensive line dominated throughout, spearheaded by Boston Balsmeier playing on a bad ankle and junior Irie Adolpho wreaking havoc in the trenches. With two regular season games and a bye ahead, the defending state champions can focus on getting healthy for a deep playoff run.
4. Eagle (7-0) — The Mustangs clinched the 6A SIC River Division title with a 34-8 victory over Kuna, securing a spot in the conference championship game and first-round playoff bye for the fourth consecutive year. Quarterback Austin Ramsey accounted for all five Eagle touchdowns, going 7-for-14 for 122 yards and two scores through the air while piling up 74 yards and three TDs on 13 carries. Landon Bult turned four catches into 74 yards and a pair of scores as the Mustangs stretched their River Division winning streak to 21 games. The defense held Kuna to 139 yards, with Anthony Butler collecting 10 tackles.
5. Hillcrest (7-0) — The defending 5A state champions rallied from a 21-21 halftime tie to pull away from Twin Falls 49-28. Quarterback Tyson Sweetwood went 12-of-15 for 224 yards and two touchdowns while contributing 79 yards and four scores on the ground. Elam Minor reached the century mark with 106 yards and a TD rushing, and Mason Davis corralled five catches for 161 yards and two scores in the balanced attack. The Knights continue proving they're ready to defend their crown.
6. Skyline (6-1) — The Grizzlies sustained their best start in five years with a 31-7 victory over Thunder Ridge. Skyline did most of its damage on the ground, churning out 195 of their 292 total yards with four different players finding pay dirt. Zyan Crocket totaled 114 yards of offense, including 84 rushing, as the Grizzlies maintained their position among the state's top programs.
7. Kendrick (7-0) — The four-time reigning Class 1A state champions dismantled previously unbeaten Kamiah 68-14 in a clash of the state's top two 2A teams. Quarterback Maddox Kirkland totaled over 320 yards of offense and seven touchdowns between passing and rushing. Cade Silflow made five receptions for 112 yards and three scores, while Tanner Clemenhagen notched one TD apiece via air and ground. The Tigers have now outscored opponents 551-22 this season while pushing their winning streak to 12 games.
8. Lakeland (7-0) — The Hawks posted their second consecutive shutout, blanking Timberlake 62-0 to prolong their best start in over two decades. Quarterback Peyton Hillman connected with Cash Lund on a deep strike for the opening touchdown, then found Jaron Yager on a short pass that turned into another score. Jace Taylor grabbed an interception to thwart a Timberlake drive, and Hillman followed with another strike to Lund on a post route. The lopsided victory showcased Lakeland's balanced attack and suffocating defense as they prepare for a crucial matchup with Sandpoint.
9. Sugar-Salem (6-1) — The reigning 4A state champions, who have won six of the last seven state titles, cruised to a 41-20 victory over South Fremont. Junior quarterback Frank Fillmore threw for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 7-of-8 passing while racing for another 126 yards and two scores on eight carries. Sam Chappell brought down two TD catches as the Diggers led 27-0 after one quarter and never looked back.
10. Fruitland (7-0) ↑1 — The Grizzlies erased a 21-14 halftime deficit with a powerful second half, scoring on all four possessions to snap an eight-game losing streak to Homedale and seize control of the 4A SRV title race. Junior quarterback Titus Vidlak spearheaded an offense that accumulated 548 yards, going 7-for-14 for 225 yards and three touchdowns through the air while compiling 130 yards and a score on the ground. Killian Wilson contributed 147 yards and a TD rushing in the 43-21 triumph that announced Fruitland's arrival as a serious contender.
11. Carey (6-0) ↑2 — The Panthers pushed their winning streak to 17 games, the longest in the state, with a 52-0 demolition of Dietrich. The reigning 1A state champions continue rolling with no signs of slowing down, overpowering opponents on both sides of the ball as they march toward another undefeated regular season.
12. Timberline (6-1) ↑2 — The Wolves bounced back from their upset loss to Middleton with a 49-7 rout of Centennial. Junior quarterback Jack Brant went 18-of-30 for 238 yards and two touchdowns, while Brody Engroff galloped for 101 yards and a score. The impressive response sets up a massive showdown with top-ranked Rocky Mountain next week for the River Division title.
13. Homedale (6-1) ↓3 — The Trojans couldn't maintain their first-half momentum and fell 43-21 to Fruitland, dropping their first game of the season and falling behind in the 4A SRV title race. Kade Hall paced the ground game with 72 yards and two touchdowns, while Javid Blewett contributed 56 yards and a score. Despite the setback, Homedale's championship pedigree keeps them dangerous heading into the final weeks.
14. Madison (4-3) ↓2 — The Bobcats dropped a heartbreaking 23-19 decision to Rigby in the Snake River Rivalry despite staying competitive throughout. All three of Madison's losses this season have come by a combined seven points to top-15 teams (Highland, Skyline, and Rigby), demonstrating their ability to compete with the state's best even if the results haven't gone their way.
15. West Side (5-1) ↑1 — The defending 3A state champions, who have won five of the last six state titles, survived a furious second-half rally to edge Snake River 21-20 at home. Drake Sage carried the offense with 150 yards and two touchdowns rushing as the Pirates amassed 270 yards on the ground. Jaden Fuller contributed a 3-yard TD run, and the defense recorded a safety in the third quarter. Despite nearly letting a 21-8 fourth-quarter lead slip away, West Side controlled possession and generated 21 first downs to maintain their position atop the 3A SEIC.
16. Coeur d'Alene (4-3) ↑2 — The Vikings showed remarkable toughness in their 6A IEL opener, controlling the tempo in a 33-12 victory over Lake City despite losing two more starters to injury. Junior quarterback Tannar Stern, making his first start after replacing injured senior Caden Symons, went 16-for-23 for 229 yards and four touchdowns while tacking on 81 yards rushing. Gibson Comstock caught two TD passes before departing with an ankle injury, while Jackson Hackett finished with four receptions for 100 yards and a score. The Vikings' resilience and depth have them well-placed despite mounting injuries.
17. Middleton (4-3) — The Vikings' upset dreams were dashed in a 30-3 loss to top-ranked Rocky Mountain on senior night. Jake Perez battled for 136 yards on 32 carries and grabbed five catches for 59 yards, but Middleton's top-ranked 6A defense surrendered 363 yards, including 298 via the ground game. The Vikings fall to 4-3 after their magical upset of Timberline the previous week.
18. Owyhee (5-2) ↓3 — The Storm suffered their second consecutive heartbreaker, falling 29-28 to Boise when Inaki Dougherty forced a fumble on a sack with 44 seconds left to end Owyhee's final drive. Asher Gaudet ran for 55 yards and two touchdowns, and Colin Foy finished 21-for-29 for 184 yards, but the Storm couldn't protect a 28-22 lead after Logan Haustveit's 90-yard kickoff return with 7:19 remaining. Back-to-back losses have derailed what had been a promising campaign.
19. Highland (5-2) — The Rams enjoyed a bye week to rest and prepare for their crucial showdown with Skyline. Despite their 5-2 record, Highland's two losses have come by a combined 59 points to Rigby, revealing the gap they need to close against the state's premier programs.
20. Mountain View (5-3) ↑2 — The Mavericks erupted for 63 points in a resounding 63-6 rout of Borah. Quarterback Henry Nelson completed 14-of-18 passes for 221 yards and four touchdowns in the comprehensive performance.
21. Minico (6-1) ↑2 — The Spartans posted their fourth consecutive victory with a 12-0 shutout of Canyon Ridge. Minico's only loss this season came against top-ranked Bishop Kelly, giving them a strong resume heading into next week's crucial matchup with Madison.
22. Ririe (7-0) ↑2 — The Bulldogs enjoyed a bye week while sitting as the lone unbeaten 3A team in the state. Their perfect 7-0 start represents the best beginning in program history and has them positioned as a legitimate darkhorse for a state championship run.
23. Capital (4-3) ↑2 — The Eagles rallied from a 12-point deficit to steal a 43-42 road victory over Meridian. Sophomore Quincey Clay capped the comeback with a 29-yard touchdown run with 1:23 remaining, finishing with 168 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries.
24. Sandpoint (6-2) ↓4 — The Bulldogs suffered a stunning 54-27 defeat at Lewiston on the Bengals' senior night. Despite Jensen Sheetz's 142 rushing yards, Sandpoint couldn't contain Lewiston's offense and now must regroup to maintain their playoff positioning.
25. Twin Falls (5-2) ↓4 — The Bruins saw their five-game winning streak snapped with a 49-28 loss to seventh-ranked Hillcrest. Twin Falls couldn't match the Knights' second-half surge, but their only losses have come to Sandpoint and Hillcrest.
DROPPED OUT: None
National Week 10 high school football rankings
Week 8 Idaho high school football rankings