4A Title Run – Who’s in it? (Part 1)
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The playoffs are here and its time for the top 4A schools in the state to make a run. Defending champs Skyline returns massive talent, familiar foe Sandpoint is looking to make it back to the ship and one of…
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Continue ReadingThe playoffs are here and its time for the top 4A schools in the state to make a run. Defending champs Skyline returns massive talent, familiar foe Sandpoint is looking to make it back to the ship and one of the best teams in the state regardless of class the Knights of Bishop Kelly are gearing up for a post season run. This bracket is full of talent from 1-16 and let’s take a look at the first 8 seeds in this year’s 4A state playoffs:
#1 – Bishop Kelly
- Bishop Kelly has been flat out dominating this season in the 4A ranks. They have the one of states leading defense. Holding teams to 9.5 points per game while averaging 43.5 on offense the Knights have been able to put most teams away early this season. They have also loaded their schedule with quality opponents from the 5A and 4A ranks. Offensively the Knights are led by Hadley Smith, running back Peter Minnaert, and receiver Logan Fettic. Up front the knights lean on a veteran offensive line led by Drew Martin, Rakeem Johnson Rakeem Johnson 6'3" | 255 lbs | OL Bishop Kelly | 2024 State ID , Phillip Janquart, and Jackson Brody. The Knights have always been a team that prides itself on running the football. On defense there are so many stars, but it helps to have players like Jack Dennis Jack Dennis 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Bishop Kelly HS | 2023 State ID , Luke Legarreta Luke Legarreta 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Bishop Kelly | 2023 State ID , and Jack Marshell. This team is primed to make a late season push toward a ring.
#2 – Skyline
- The defending champs are back and this time they are not a team that is shocking anyone. They are the number two seed for a reason because they are legit. Everyone knows that they are headlined by Oregon commit Keyon Sadiq, but this is a team full of talent that just happens to have the best player in the state of Idaho. Skyline has played some great competition this year knocking off a big-time school like Highland is always a bright spot on the season for a 4A school. With big time players like Abrahn Silverio, Caden Taggart Caden Taggart 5'9" | 175 lbs | WR Skyline HS | 2023 State ID , Lachlan Haacke, Ian Galbreaith, Tui Edwin, Jake Murdock, and Trey Olson. Skyline is going to be hard to beat in the playoffs this season and would not be a surprise to be playing for a ring again.
#3 – Sandpoint
- Sandpoint has had an up and down year for a team that made the state final last year but as like all good team they are back in the dance. This is team that is resilient after losing their three of their first four games they finished the season with three straight dominating wins on their way to the playoffs. With strong senior leadership from players like
Parker Pettit
Parker
Pettit
6'0" | 205 lbs | QB
Sandpoint HS | 2023
State
ID
who has led at quarterback for the Bulldogs this team is going to be a tough out for anyone. This is a senior heavy team that relies on the leadership of players like
Carson Laybourne
Carson
Laybourne
6'3" | 305 lbs | OL
Sandpoint | 2023
State
ID
, OL, SR
Wylan Dorrel, Arie VanDenBerg Arie VanDenBerg 6'2" | 215 lbs | TE Sandpoint | 2023 State ID , Max Frank, Wes Benfield, Owen Wimmer, Levi Balison,
Jack Zimmerman, Koby Barlow, Austin Smith, Ben Stockton, Tysen Case, Ryan McElroy,
Koda Hartley, Joey Hughes. This team has a chip on their shoulder after there defeat at the hands of Skyline this year and will look to take their revenge.
#4 – Minico
- The Spartans are another team on a revenge tour this season as they were surprisingly bounced from last years playoffs in the first round. This team is about as old school as it gets playing with extreme toughness that is rarely seen in high school with the vaunted Wing T that can really control the clock. The three headed monster that is Jafeth Bendele, JT Garza and Joe Terry keeps the Spartan offense operating at a high clip. On defense there isn’t enough praise to go around for a unit that is hard to score on but with players like Nick Gibson, Brevin Trenkle Brevin Trenkle 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Minico HS | 2023 State ID Finn McCaffrey, Chris Torres on the defensive line, and Stockton Chandler running everything in the backend.
#5 – Blackfoot
- Blackfoot is a team that has one of the hardest roads every year to the playoffs. Having to play teams like Rigby and Highland along with the defending state champions Skyline. The Broncos are battle tested and have improved every year under Coach Jerrod Ackley. This is a team that is on the brink of turning into a dominant program and deep run to a state title will cement them as one of the best in the state. Led by prospects like Javonte King Javonte King 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Blackfoot HS | 2023 State ID and quarterback Jaxon Grimmett this offense can flat out score along with the balance of running backs Austin Ramirez and Kort Capson. Defensively is where this team might be the most overlooked as the scores don’t indicate how talented they are. It’s a unit that really flies around and makes plays but most importantly they do it together as one cohesive unit. Watch out for the Broncos this year!
#6 – Emmett
- The Huskies are one heck of a football team having lost only to Bishop Kelly and Blackfoot in game one of the seasons. Everything after that has been a show for the Huskies as they have one of top offenses in 4A. Led by do it all quarterback Dakota Perry Dakota Perry 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Emmett | 2023 State ID , running back Ry Fullerton and some serious pass catching weapons Stevie Howe and Isaac Brennan this team is as dangerous as they come. Defensively this team is tough in the front seven having shut down some of the top rushing attacks in their conference along with being opportunistic in the back end. The Huskies were another team that lost early on in the playoffs last year and are looking to make a name for themselves in this post season run.
#7 – Twin Falls
- Twin Falls has improved every year under Coach Kohring but has had trouble getting out of the first round, but this year looks to be different as they have made the necessary improvements to make a deep run. The Bruins is solid on the offensive side of the football mixing up the pass and the run. It helps to have players like Austin Crum who really has had a nice season and his backfield teammate James Noorlander who has taken the majority of the carries. The defense is led by Carter Wasden, Grant Patterson and Grayson Keyes who fly around making an impact on the game. For a program who is up and coming this is going to be a big statement for them as they start their journey into the postseason.
#8 – Pocatello
- Playing one of the tougher schedules in 4A this season the Thunders record does not show the talent of this squad. Yes, they are 4-4 but I would not want to see them on my side of the bracket. A team that lost to eventual champion Skyline they know how hard it is to make a run in the playoff and are as battle tested as anyone. A team that has a bonified star in Ryan EchoHawk along with pieces like Chance Crittenden, Carson Christensesn and Krue Hales the Thunder are going to be tough to beat and will make you earn a win.