Prep football: Idaho powers flex muscle against out-of-state Rumble competition

POCATELLO — There is nary denying that Coeur d’Alene, Highland and Rigby are among nan state’s elite precocious schoolhouse shot programs. That trio showed retired this weekend, dominating nan title astatine nan Rocky Mountain Rumble.

The Rumble, organized by erstwhile Highland shot caput coach Gino Mariani, pits Idaho’s apical shot teams against schools from Alaska, California, Nevada and Utah during a two-day arena astatine Idaho State University’s ICCU Dome.

This year’s installment saw nan Coeur d’Alene Vikings hit nan Shadow Ridge (NV) Mustangs, 31-7, Friday afternoon. Then, connected Saturday afternoon, nan Highland Rams bested nan Carson (NV) Senators 22-7. And finally, nan play vanished pinch nan Rigby Trojans topping nan Wasatch (UT) Wasps 48-27.

Shadow Ridge had been 1-0 and nan No. 8-ranked squad successful Nevada — a fewer spots up of nan the reigning authorities champ Legacy Longhorns, who mislaid to Highland a week prior. Carson had been 2-0 and really moved up successful nan Nevada authorities rankings (via Max Preps) pinch their nonaccomplishment to nan Rams. Wasatch was 1-1 earlier their nonaccomplishment to nan Trojans.

Highland’s Cedric Mitchell looks for moving room against Carson during Saturday’s game. | Courtesy photo.

Rigby caput coach Armando Gonzalez said aft nan game that he was pleased pinch his team’ improvement, coming disconnected a nonaccomplishment successful Coeur d’Alene 1 week earlier, but needs to spot much if his squad is going to compete for a authorities 6A title.

“Right now, nan truth is, we’re an undisciplined shot squad that has a batch of talent,” he said. “We’ve sewage to hole that, aliases we’re not going to spell very acold down nan stretch.”

Highland, who came live precocious to time off Las Vegas pinch a large season-open triumph complete Legacy, did truthful again, scoring 15 points successful nan closing minutes of their Rumble victory.

“It decidedly wasn’t pretty,” said Nick Sorrell, caput coach of nan reigning Idaho 6A authorities champs aft nan game. “But we preach being a fourth-quarter, second-half squad each nan measurement done nan summertime and done autumn camp, and you look astatine nan past 2 games we’ve won nan crippled successful nan 4th quarter. We don’t springiness up, moreover erstwhile things are really reliable and we’re shooting ourselves successful nan foot, they’re uncovering a way.”

Also taking portion successful nan Rumble was Mountain View, who hit Wood Cross (UT) 24-21. Teton, Skyline and Kimberly each nonaccomplishment their Rumble games — 35-7 to Soldotna (AK), 26-20 to Morgan (UT) and 28-14 to Sutter Union (CA), respectively.

Sugar-Salem was primitively slated to play Sutter Union but was removed from nan schedule past month. They alternatively improved to 2-0 down a 41-6 beatdown astatine Snake River.

Along pinch CDA (who entered nan week arsenic nan state’s top-ranked 6A team), Highland (No. 4) and Rigby (No. 5), Idaho’s apical 5 teams entering Week 1 was rounded retired by Rocky Mountain (No. 2) and Eagle (No. 3).

Rocky Mountain hit Kuna, 53-14, successful Homedale, while Eagle went into Meridian and came distant pinch a 28-13 victory.

So, while chap Idaho shot powers impressed during nan first full-slate weekend, Coeur d’Alene, Highland and Rigby did truthful while sending teams backmost to neighboring states pinch wounds to lick.

Rigby backmost Jake Flowers looks for an unfastened receiver during nan Trojans’ triumph astatine nan Rocky Mountain Rumble Saturday. | Courtesy photo.