A good experience, despite loss

BOISE – Even subtracting undesertlike weather, some frustrating opponents’ play, a few turnovers and a 20-6 loss, the revised Idaho High School All-Star Football Game at Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium remained a positive experience for North Idaho participants.

“It’s a good thing,” said Gabe Le, running back from Coeur d’Alene High School, and soon Carroll College in Montana. “I met some great people (former opponents) from up north. That was the greatest experience.”

As far as the football game went, Team Treasure Valley controlled the ball well enough on offense and avoided big-yardage plays on defense for the last three quarters of the game to win. Team Idaho, often enough, played as scattered as its geography in failing to run the show.

The contest pitted top 2005 seniors from District 3 schools against those from the rest of Idaho. The weather missed by a mile the normal for high desert Boise in July. Along with temperatures in the low 70s, afternoon rains forced the postponement of the accompanying boys and girls lacrosse all-star games from 1 and 3 p.m. starts to halftime slots at the football game.

Le, who gained more than 1,700 yards his senior season, topped the Team Idaho offense with 45 yards rushing and another 12 receiving.

After a series of hiccups by both teams, Team Idaho took possession of the football at their 29-yard-line with 7:50 left in the first quarter. A mix of runs and passes culminated in a 9-yard touchdown run by Sandpoint’s Brian Resso for the game’s first score.

Resso, mostly a linebacker for the game, only had two carries on offense. The Treasure Valley defense had him stopped at the 2 for a couple of heartbeats before he shook off the tacklers and lunged into the end zone with 3:24 on the clock.

On the following kickoff, Treasure Valley took possession at its 24. In 12 plays, it pounded out the 76 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Russel Hill of Timberline High School, runner-up to teammate Cooper Blanc in the offensive MVP selection, scored on a sneak from the 1.

Meridian kicker Kyle Brotzman’s extra point put Treasure Valley ahead for good with 7:42 to go until halftime.

The second half featured a couple more touchdown drives by Treasure Valley and a few interceptions from Team Idaho quarterbacks.

“Turnovers are always a big difference. They got some in the second half. We didn’t make a couple of right decisions,” said Lake City and Team Idaho coach Van Troxel.

But misplays did not cloud the experience.

“It’s going to be, I think, a real good deal for the state of Idaho, especially for our guys,” Troxel said about the start of the new all-star series. “They made a good show for North Idaho.”

If there was a cloud not related to weather hanging over the game, it involved some questionable play and late hits from Treasure Valley.

“They played with no class,” Le said. “Even as we lost, we played with class.”

If Le had used statistics to back his statement, he would have mentioned Treasure Valley leading the penalty parade 73 yards to zero over Team Idaho.

With a crowd estimated at greater than 2,000, there are promises of bigger and better in the future.

“I thought it went great,” said game organizer Matt Williams. “I got a little nervous when it started raining.

“Yes, we’re going to do it again.”