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Nov
6
Written by:
Will Hoenike
11/6/2009 9:09 AM
Greg Lee of the Spokesman-Review in Spokane has gone on the record, saying who he thinks is going to win state football championships, classification by classification. Read the full article here, but here are his picks and my thoughts on each:
(Writer's Note: This is intended in good spirit. Neither I nor Greg is doing this to "disrespect" anyone. We're offering opinions. In my case, I'm wrong more than I'm right. But every now and then I get one right. Call it the "blind squirrel/acorn" theory.)
5A: Capital. I tend to agree. The Eagles have been very impressive this season, though Highland will likely have something to say about it. Hopefully the vocal group of Capital people who objected to hiring Todd Simis away from Boise High a few years ago has jumped on the bandwagon.
4A: Sandpoint. You could accuse Greg of a "homer" pick here, but I think he's on to a real nice sleeper pick. The Bulldogs are solid, but haven't gotten as much attention in the southern part of the state due to their location (which, by the way, is amazing. Sandpoint may be one of this state's most-beautiful cities). I think the winner is coming from the east, though.
3A: Shelley. A pretty safe pick, really. I agree with Greg's comment in the article that the SRV (District III) seems to be down a bit so I'm not sure if Weiser, Payette, or Fruitland is a serious threat to win the state title. Obviously, one of those teams could throw it back in my face but my eyes are drawn to Shelley first and Timberlake second.
2A: No predicition. Nothing sinister, it's just that there are no 2A teams in District I -- which is his "market." Declo and Parma have clearly been the class of 2A this season and, with the two teams on opposite ends of the bracket, here's to hoping we get to see 1 versus 2 in the state title game.
1A Division I: Prairie. Another call that is tough to argue with. That said, I don't think this one is too cut-and-dried. Their first-round matchup with Raft River is no gimme and Oakley is looming on the other side of the bracket.
1A Division II: Carey. Historically, it's the easy call to make. The Panthers have only played in something like 1,800 straight 8-man title games. But they'll likely face Mackay in the semifinals -- the only team to beat them in the regular season. It would surprise me if someone other than Carey or Mackay won the title in this classification.
Tags:
24 comments so far...
Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
5A: Highland, they have been very impressive this year, and I think they'll get past Capital. Either way, the winner of that game takes it.
4A: Blackfoot, I like the Sandpoint pick, and I can't say that I know anything about them, but in the cold weather, I'll take Hillcrest over Sandpoint in the semi's, then Blackfoot in the Dome.
3A: Shelley, I thought the winner of last nights Shelley-Salmon game was going to take it all. And I still do.
2A: Declo, I think Declo gets the revenge against Parma.
1AD1: Oakley, big and strong, they'll have a good game plan against Prairie.
1AD2: Carey, I dont know anything about this classification, but you sold me on it, Will.
By my thoughts on
11/6/2009 4:35 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
5A Coeur d' Alene: They survived a scare by almost not making the post season, now I think they are VERY focused on the prize.
4A Sandpoint: One tough group of boys up there...I'll take them by 14 over Hillcrest.
3A Fruitland
2A Declo
1AD1 Prairie: if they get by Wallace in the semi's
1AD2 Kootenai: Seen them play a couple times this year...very fast team that never stops attacking their foe.
I know I'm favoring the north teams, but with a name like Northernpower, what did you expect?!?
By Northernpower on
11/8/2009 10:35 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Dont you normally pick who you think wins each game anyways, you didnt do that this year whats up with that? the picks arent as obvious as you think, there will be some surprises there always is.
By tbeare on
11/9/2009 2:59 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Well, Will, looks like District III is anything but down. Three of the four teams left in the 3A ranks (Payette, Fruitland, Weiser) are from the aforementioned league. I thought the league was down, too. Figures.
Lewiston Tribune picks:
5A: Capital - The best defense in Idaho, and a capable offense littered with experience. Not much of a gap between the four 5A teams left in terms of talent, but this year belongs to the Eagles.
4A: Sandpoint - Best Sandpoint team I've seen since 2003. Can do it all, really. The Bulldogs nip two very talented teams in Hillcrest and Blackfoot to claim the title.
3A: Shelley - Talented and deep at most positions. The Russets will leave the 3A ranks on a high note.
2A: Declo - This is team was tough as nails last year, and most of its players are back. Very explosive and kudos to Malad for taking the Hornets to OT.
1A: Prairie - The best eight-man team I've seen, and I've been around the game a decade.
1A II: Mackay - The feel-good story of Idaho prep football, since this program was on the brink of extinction due to budget cuts during the summer.
By Ryan Collingwood on
11/9/2009 6:10 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
tbeare: I plan on doing it for the semifinals and championship games. So be on the lookout and prepare your best "I told you so" speech, because I usually deserve 'em.
Ryan: While admittedly knowing virtually nothing about Orofino, I'll stick to my "District III isn't as good as usual" sentiment ... and that comes from having seen Weiser, Payette, and Fruitland (each more than once this year) in person. While Payette is a fantastic story, neither Weiser nor Fruitland is as dominant or clean/crisp as I'm used to seeing. Perhaps my expectations are set a bit too high. Anyway, as it appears to have turned out, a down SRV is better than what District I, II, or IV had to throw at 'em.
By Will Hoenike on
11/9/2009 6:21 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Come on, you guys...Do all of you live in the great north or have you not been watching the two teams from S.E.Idaho? No way Sandpoint beats either Hillcrest or Blackfoot. No team has been able to subdue Hillcrest's double-edged running backs, Droghei/Speirs, and Blackfoot's Clark may be just as leathal! Blackfoot also has the Flores kid who can catch any ball thrown near him. I predict the 4A championship will come down to Blackfoot vs. Hillcrest.
By D. Christensen on
11/9/2009 10:52 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Oops! Forgot to put my predictions down.....5A-Capital, 4A-Hillcrest, 3A-Shelley, 2A-Declo. Sorry guys, don't know that much about D-1.
By D. Christensen on
11/9/2009 10:55 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Check out my analysis of the 2A level at Paul Kingsbury's blog:
http://blogs.idahosports.com/ISBlogsHome/tabid/93/EntryID/292/Default.aspx
-Deioces
By Deioces on
11/10/2009 9:48 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
capital no doubt in 5a
hiilcrest and blackfoot in title game with hillcrest wining out 4a
3a shelley will continue east domination over payette, lookout for russets in 4a next year
2a declo and parma both loaded with declo getting revenge
1a oakley with win over castleford
1a2 mackay will repeat of last years basketball title. mackay game with kootenai will be a real barn burner. the kroesh boy from the miners will make the difference
By seidaho frank on
11/13/2009 5:19 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
I'll make the 1A pick for Mackay. Read a little bit about them in the Post-Register and it sounds like they've got a heck of a team. Would be nice if Highland could pull out an upset over Capital!
By D. Christensen on
11/13/2009 8:05 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Capital has put the work in. they take it with no competition. Carey Is the other solid pick. dynasty of the 8 man.
By Andrew Kelley on
11/14/2009 12:16 AM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
just want to get on my soapbox. just because your undefeated, to prove your a real champion, you should have to play on a NEUTRAL field to prove it. Shelly should not play at Holt for a state championship, what do the rest of you think?
By big rus on
11/14/2009 12:22 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Come on guys, Sandpoint just made cupcakes out of Hillcrest, you were saying Blackfoot vs. Hillcrest? geeshhhh, give me a break here, Bulldogs are definately in! Way to goooooooo........Bulldogs!
By Lena Marie Peters on
11/15/2009 8:56 AM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
mackay is going all the way in 1a division d2 they just have to good of a team for anybody to beet them
By Jake on
11/15/2009 12:20 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Sandpoint can play with anyone in the state in any division, they only lost to 5A schools this year, both games by 7,while pretty much crushing everyone else. I'd be SHOCKED if Sandpoint didn't win the 4A championship! Southern/Eastern Idaho bias is surely wrong this year.
By Dave on
11/15/2009 1:07 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
"4A Sandpoint: One tough group of boys up there...I'll take them by 14 over Hillcrest."
20-8. Nice pick, Northernpower!
Dave, Sandpoint lost to CDA by 7, 17-10. The loss to Post Falls was by just 3, 23-20. And Sandpoint beat Lake City 35-7, who then beat both CDA and PF!
These Dogs are for real!
By Sandpointer on
11/16/2009 9:00 AM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Will Hoenike are you going to be at the championships? Sure would like for you to say good positive things about us Sandpointer's considering that we haven't been given that much coverage on here until now after beating Middleton and Hillcrest. I think our guys deserved a fair and equal chance on the coverage and besides you all haven't even covered us in the webcasts at all, that I can recall. See you fellows at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow!
By Lena Marie Peters on
11/16/2009 1:41 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
PARMA over DECLO lets say 21-17.....As a former player for coach Asbury and winning a state championship last year over declo i have tremundous respect for those guys. I personnally know all the guys on Parma's team and I believe they will one up us this year with another title. Parmas Defensive line this year is better than ours last year and as a player..(without any bias) will say WE WON LAST YEAR ON PURE HEART and DESIRE. Those intangibles will decide the outcome of this game.
By Oscar Arteaga on
11/17/2009 11:22 AM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Big Rus - I think a state champion should be able to win no matter where they are playing. Last I checked, the field is the same length and the ball is the same size no matter where the game is played.
By Paul Kingsbury on
11/18/2009 11:31 AM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
So Dave, your saying that Sandpoint can play with anyone in any division... 4A or lower. Sandpoint lost to 2 mediocre to low level 5A teams. I think the 4A 'ship will be a good game. I think 2A, 3A, and 4A are all going to be great games.
By ty on
11/19/2009 12:40 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Sandpoint lost both those games by injuries. Now there healthy and tearing it up. This team could put up a fight against the 2006 lake city team which may be the best team idaho has seen play. These guys are good
By KIH on
11/19/2009 11:49 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
ty on --- Sandpoint beat 5A Lake City 35-7. They beat 5A Lewiston 36-0! Their losses to two more 5A teams were by a combined 10 points. CDA is mediocre to low level?! With a #4 power ranking? Post Falls is mediocre to low level?! At 6-4, with a 6-point loss to Eagle and a win over CDA? Hardly.
By Sandpointer on
11/20/2009 1:08 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
Lena -- no, I won't get to be at the game. My "day job" will keep me in the Boise area this weekend. I will be checking in on the IdahoSports.com webcast, though. Should be a terrific matchup.
By Will Hoenike on
11/20/2009 1:13 PM
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Re: Spokane writer goes on-record with state title picks
I'm not saying Sandpoint isn't a good team. They are in the championship game, they are good. But you're saying they can play with anybody in the state, because they only lost to 2 5A teams. Just because a team is 5A, doesn't mean they're good. Lake City only won 3 games all year. They were terrible. Post Falls missed the playoffs behind that Lake City team. And Cueer d' Alene was a decent team, but the only reason they were at state is because they were in a weak conference. Their #4 power ranking was a joke, I could name at least 8 5A teams that were better than CDA
By ty on
11/20/2009 2:37 PM
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