4A Title Run – Who’s in it? (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Part 2 is here for the 4A playoffs. Each one of the teams in the bottom part of the bracket have battled their way into the playoffs and state title hunt through a team effort. Let's take a look at the teams that will be traveling in the first round:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#9 – Lakeland</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Lake started the season off with a bang especially getting to play a football game at the University of Montana. Under the new leadership of Coach Mike Schroeder, the Hawks have put together a heck of a season sitting at 7-2. After knocking off a 5A school in Lake City the Hawks only two loses come against 5A power Coeur d'Alene and league opponent Sandpoint. Led by quarterback Cason Loutzenhiser who has put together a season that has limited mistakes and the workhorse in the backfield that is John Cornish this west coast offense is really balanced. On defense this unit makes plays in the biggest moments led by some talented senior leadership like [player_tooltip player_id='485729' first='Preston' last='Jeffs'], Cody Morse, Chase Burcham, Hutton Hegbloom, and Thomas Calder. Sitting at the 9 seed this might be one of the most interesting teams to watch this year.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#10 – Burley</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Burley is a team that is being led by a first-year head coach in the program who came over from Gooding. Burley is talented that is something that should be known right now. They have arguably the best overall player in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='336731' first='Gatlin' last='Bair']. Yet the offense goes as senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='349216' first='Caleb' last='Loveland'] goes and this far into the season, he is one of the top passers in the entire state. Running back Ramsey Trevino is also a threat making this Burley team extremely balanced. Defensively it is a team that was figuring it out early in the season being involved in a lot of shootouts but lately has come on. It is a team of maniacs who play with a great amount of discipline especially when they some guys like Khalil Schroeder, Noah Strunk, Ryan Jensen, Nick Fowler, Colin Roberts, Jesus Herrera.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#11 – Shelley</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Shelley's record does not indicate the type of football they have played this year along with their overall record. After defeating teams like Pocatello, Bonneville, and Blackfoot the number 11 seed is slightly surprising. Their losses all come against playoff teams and the games were very close. Led by their star running back [player_tooltip player_id='336866' first='Ryker' last='Clinger'] the Russets really focus on being able to run the football. Junior quarterback Brecker Williams has been managing each game this year with poise. Defensively they are hard nosed and physical with a never back down mentality that will help them in the playoffs this season.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#12 – Hillcrest</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>A big turn around after last season not getting in the win column the Knights from Hillcrest are back in the big dance. A team that really prides itself on being balanced they have had a solid season from [player_tooltip player_id='336942' first='Peyton' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='1135737' first='Braxton' last='Battleson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484974' first='Drew' last='Caldwell']. On defense they are headlined by Braden Crystal who from his defensive line position creates problems for opposing offenses. With up-and-coming junior Connor Mecham at linebacker this team has the pieces to be an upset alert team in a really talented group of 4A contenders.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#13 – Vallivue</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Vallivue might have one of the top if not the top rushing attack in the entire state of Idaho. It helps when you have a player like Tyson Fox to run the football. The senior is having one of the best seasons regardless of class rushing the football this year using a unique blend of size and speed.&nbsp; Yet it is not just the legs of Fox that keep the wins coming they play team defense in every sense of the word. That means this team limits mistakes and really tackles well but they most importantly do it together. This team controls the clock and makes you earn every yard be very watchful for the Falcons.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#14 – Skyview</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>After moving down from the 5A rank the Hawks from Skyview have made the playoffs again. After playing a 5A schedule the Hawks were able to go win against enough 4A schools to make them playoff eligible. It helps to have players like [player_tooltip player_id='336851' first='Max' last='Cutforth'], [player_tooltip player_id='412898' first='Ayden' last='Martinez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='403487' first='Andrew' last='Schneider'] on the offensive side of the ball to help put points on the board. With players like Adam Davenport, Daniel Hernandez, Chris Lupkes, and Jacob Peck up front on both sides of the ball this former 5A school will be one to watch this offseason.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#15 – Bonneville</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Bonneville is an ever-improving program after not making the playoffs last season. &nbsp;Ending the season with a huge win against defending state champion Skyline. They have continued to improve as a program behind a solid running game. Led by a group that prides itself on its leadership players like [player_tooltip player_id='485681' first='Jacob' last='Perez'], Anthem Dahlke Tommy Kempf, [player_tooltip player_id='917521' first='Koah' last='Harrigfeld'], Tanner Hart, Spencer Sewell, Jarrod Orchard and Carson Chatterton. The Bees are going to shock some people if not this year but in the near future.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#16 – Canyon Ridge</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Canyon Ridge has been a relative unknown in the 4A football ranks, but this year marks the start of a program trending in the right direction. Connor Willis has quietly had a great season leading the team from under center with help from teammate Tanner Eldredge. This is a team that plays hard and never gives up. You really have to put them away as they will scratch and claw all game long. If you leave them any opening, they will compete and make you pay. As they look to continue winning the first step is making the playoffs the next step is winning a playoff game.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->