Major Playoff Implications in the Games of the WEEK!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eagle v Nampa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game has huge implications on the River Division as both teams are still in control of their destiny. Nampa is in first place in the River Division a game ahead of Eagle and Mountain View but will look to keep control of the top spot this week against the Mustangs. Using a devastating ground game, the Bulldogs have been able to defeat the likes of Borah, Boise, and Kuna in their first year in 5A. Behind Daniel Carrillo the Bulldogs have been able to average huge numbers on the ground this season. Defensively they are led by Ethan Kincheloe and [player_tooltip player_id='336848' first='Payton' last='Gunter'] the Bulldogs will have to stop the Mustangs weapons. Eagle on the other hand has found a way to put points on the board via [player_tooltip player_id='336840' first='Ian' last='Duarte'] the division 1 prospect has finally got back in action having huge games against Rocky Mountain and Owyhee. The Eagle defense has improved every week behind the play of [player_tooltip player_id='336884' first='Kall' last='Renner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='336842' first='Carter' last='Davis'] among others. This should be the game of the week in the state as either team will be firmly in the driver seat for a division title and a match up against what looks to be either Rocky or Meridian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sandpoint v Lewiston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandpoint is back in the fire this week after a huge win against Homedale. [player_tooltip player_id='403758' first='Parker' last='Pettit'] will once again have to lead his team versus a big-time program in Lewiston. Look for the senior quarterback to show out once again and for the stingy Sandpoint defense to make crazy plays. Lewiston will look to lean on all of its returning talent and junior quarterback Drew Hottinger. Led by a group of talented athletes like Jackson Lathen, Jared Jelinek and [player_tooltip player_id='336864' first='James' last='White'], Lewiston is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Defensively they play team defense and are able to wear offenses down with solid play in their front seven with speed in the backend to cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highland v Meridian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Old tradition versus the new power on the block as Highland will play Meridian this week. Highland has had some struggles early on in the season, but they are still a storied program with talent everywhere and coaching that always finds a way to improve the product on the field. Highland has some major talent in [player_tooltip player_id='440467' first='Drew' last='Hymas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='239243' first='Kai' last='Callen'] on offense, but it is on defense where they have some major talent in [player_tooltip player_id='336940' first='Colton' last='George'] along with Mason Fulmer. Meridian has been completely dominating and has announced themselves as the team to watch this season. Led by one of the best defenses in the state with players like [player_tooltip player_id='336841' first='Nathan' last='Reynolds'], [player_tooltip player_id='336896' first='Max' last='Gwilliam'], [player_tooltip player_id='341639' first='Ryan' last='Corder'], Corbin Misner, Landon Eason, and [player_tooltip player_id='395985' first='Ethan' last='Beard'] they are hard to score on period. On offense they have the young talented Zeke Martinez, running backs Marco Del Rio and [player_tooltip player_id='342488' first='Rylie' last='Byington'] and their big-time weapon on the outside Tyson Acree. Should be a good one to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Burley v Minico</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burley has been on fire in recent weeks as they just put up 82 points on Preston behind the arm of talented quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='349216' first='Caleb' last='Loveland'] and the top junior which many argue is the top talent in the state [player_tooltip player_id='336731' first='Gatlin' last='Bair'] at wide receiver this Burley team is flat out dangerous. Minico is more geared up to stop teams on defense as they are loaded with playmakers on that side of the ball. Posting two consecutive shutouts the Minico defense is stifling and on offense they use their Wing T offense to perfection. This is a conference game that will have huge playoff implications this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->