Football Finalists Familiar Lewiston, Madison Renew Acquaintances In Pocatello
Most of the teams playing in the Milk Bowl ‘95 Idaho high school football championship games this weekend are familiar contestants.
In some cases, for example, the games feature rematches of past championship finals. Other teams are traditional state powers.
Sponsored by the United Dairymen of Idaho, four of the six games will be played at Holt Arena in Pocatello, with the others at Bronco Stadium in Boise and the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.
None of the title games will be broadcast locally. The A-1 Division I game will be carried on Idaho Public Television in the Boise and Pocatello markets only.
Here’s a look at each game:
A-1 Division II
The Lewiston Bengals (9-2 overall) take on the defending champion Madison Bobcats (10-1) Saturday afternoon at 11:45 a.m. PST at Holt Arena. It marks the third time in four years that the teams have met in the championship game.
Madison won in 1992 and Lewiston prevailed in 1993.
Lewiston coach Nick Menegas is impressed with the Bobcats, who were ranked No. 1 all season.
“They’re much more athletic than the teams we played in ‘92 and ‘93,” Menegas said.
Madison’s lone loss was to defending A-1 Division I champion Pocatello (24-14) in a game that the offensive-minded Bobcats outgained the winners 319-118.
Lewiston, which defeated Post Falls 30-27 on a last-second field goal last week, will be short-handed Saturday. Bengals running back and defensive back Chris Kennedy tore the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee while trying to cut on the Kibbie Dome turf and will require surgery, Menegas said.
Backup quarterback Brad Rice, who started at wide receiver, is questionable with turf toe. Standout receiver/defensive back Jim Farris, who is suffering from a sore back, is expected to play.
“We really came out of (the game against Post Falls) bruised and banged up; it was a physical game,” Menegas said.
The Bengals will have their hands full trying to stop the option-oriented Bobcats. Quarterback Ben Holloway leads a balanced Bobcats running attack with 928 yards on 119 carries.
“Watching film I’m really impressed with their quarterback,” Menegas said.
A-1 Division I
Top-ranked Highland of Pocatello (11-0) meets Nampa (8-3) Friday at 5 p.m. at Bronco Stadium in Boise.
Heavily favored Highland defeated Nampa 24-0 when the teams met in the second week of the season at Pocatello.
It’s the second straight year Nampa has advanced to the state final. The Bulldogs fell to Pocatello 35-13 last year.
Since the state playoffs were started in 1979, Highland has won three championships (‘84, ‘87 and ‘93).
A-2
No. 1-ranked Snake River (10-0) meets Weiser (9-2) Saturday morning at 9 at Holt Arena.
Snake River is playing in its second straight title game while Weiser is playing in its third state final in five years. Snake River is slightly favored.
A-3
It’ll be a battle of unbeatens with identical 10-0 records when Lapwai takes on defending champion Glenns Ferry Friday night at 7:15 at Holt Arena.
Both teams rolled over most of their regular-season opponents. Glenns Ferry, which is making its third straight appearance in the finals, is favored. Lapwai’s lone state title came in 1979.
A-4 11-man
Raft River (8-1) meets Mackay (6-3) Friday at 4:30 in Holt Arena.
Raft River advanced by knocking off defending champion Murtaugh 21-6, while Mackay upset Nampa Christian 30-15. This game appears to be a toss-up.
A-4 eight-man
Defending champion and top-ranked Carey (11-0) and Deary (10-0) meet for a third straight year in the title game when they collide Friday at 6 at the Kibbie Dome.
Deary defeated Carey two years ago before Carey returned the favor last year. Deary has yet to play a full game, defeating all of its regular-season opponents by the 45-point mercy rule.
The Mustangs defeated Lakeside (50-0) and Mullan (48-0) the past two weeks in games that lasted just two quarters.
The 45-point mercy rule doesn’t apply to state title games. Behind brothers Aaron and Joe Workman, the Mustangs are favored.
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