Week 2’s Top Matchups to Watch Out For!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Kelly vs Capital</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the rare 4A vs 5A matchups coming in to week 2 the Knights of Bishop Kelly will take on the Eagles of Capital. Bishop Kelly is a 4A power with a rich tradition under Coach Tim Brennan and will lean on its defense this year headlined by returning 3 year starter [player_tooltip player_id='336855' first='Luke' last='Legarreta'] in the back end but dont forget about the Knights other top players like [player_tooltip player_id='336885' first='Jack' last='Dennis'] who is returning at linebacker and Jack Marshall at defensive line. The biggest question though will be who steps in for the 4A leading rusher Seth Knothe who was lost to graduation. Capital on the other hand looks to rebound from their week one loss to Borah. The Eagles will again look to establish the run with running back and do it all player [player_tooltip player_id='336852' first='Tucker' last='French'] but can they get a young quarterback in the grove in order to be more balance on offense. Capital will be a team on a mission this week as it looks to get the season started and the Jay Bohner era a win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middleton vs Nampa </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After moving up to 5A these teams were placed on opposite sides of the Divisions but still managed to keep the rivalry going from last year. After Nampa knocked off Middleton last year in a 52-50 barn burner it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in their new 5A divisions. Nampa is bringing back quarterback Gabe Navarro to lead the offense along with his running mate in running back Daniel Carrillo. On defense the Bulldogs will lean heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='336848' first='Payton' last='Gunter'] at the defensive end spot and Ethan Kincheloe at the mike linebacker position. After playing what many outlets consider the states top team tough last week Middleton will look to bounce back against the familiar foe. After moving to a more vertical attack against Rocky the Middleton offense really started to move the football down the field against arguably one of the top defenses in the state. Can they build off the late game success that they had and turn it into a W. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blackfoot vs Emmett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing a heartbreaker to Sandpoint last year in the state semifinals Blackfoot is out for revenge against all of the states 4A teams. Returning some of the states top talent in wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='336847' first='Javonte' last='King'] along with the man responsible for dishing out the football quarterback Jaxon Grimmett with help form running back Austin Ramirez, Blackfoots offense should be dangerous this season. Where as Emmett is always known for offense with their vaunter air raid that spreads the football all over the field. After starting the season in the most promising way but falling to Nampa in the playoffs Emmett will be out for blood this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rocky Mountain vs Coeur d'Alene</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state's top team will be hosting one of the more storied programs throughout the Gem State in the Vikings of Coeur d'Alene. After starting the season off strong with a win against 5A newcomer Middleton the Grizzlies will look to continue winning at a high level possibly behind the arm of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='336869' first='Tegan' last='Sweaney'] and the hands of [player_tooltip player_id='336826' first='CJ' last='Jacobsen'] or could we see something different from the Grizzlies this week that in all reports boasts the best offensive line in the state. On the other side of the field comes the Vikings who are looking to avenge their defeat at the hands of last season's state champs Rigby. With a young signal caller in charge of the offense will the Vikings be able to get Jamison Kizzar going as this is always considered one of the top teams in the state dont be shocked to see this matchup come down to the wire. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meridian vs Mountain View</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meridian comes into this top 5 matchup with a ton of confidence after beating Eagle in dominating fashion. The three headed monsters that is the linebacking core for the Warriors made up of [player_tooltip player_id='336841' first='Nathan' last='Reynolds'], [player_tooltip player_id='341639' first='Ryan' last='Corder'], and [player_tooltip player_id='336896' first='Max' last='Gwilliam'] will be at the top of every offenses scouting reports as players to watch. Yet what makes Meridian such a tough team might be the fact that they have other players on that defense that are more than capable to be the start of the show any given Friday night. After leaning heavily on a talented offensive line and returning running back Marco Del Rio along with some highlight plays from sophomore quarterback Zeke Martinez, this is a team to be reckoned with. Mountain View is coming off a season where they finished 9-1 with their only loss coming at the hands of the Warriors in last years quarterfinals. Returning a solid group of players from last years squad such as Max Maile, [player_tooltip player_id='340765' first='Ivan' last='Perkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396016' first='Mason' last='Chiles'] the question for the Mavericks will be who will step up to replace some of the senior leadership that they lost to graduation. This should be the top or one of the top matchups all year between two of the best teams in the state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->