Quests for titles begin this week

Most of the pairings are set as the chase for high school football championships kicks off this week across the state.

Here’s a look at each classification:

5A

It’s “Rematch Week” in first-round games as three of the four matchups involved the same teams last week and the other is a rematch of a regular-season conference game.

Lake City (8-1) plays host to Coeur d’Alene (7-2) on Friday – eight days after the Timberwolves handled the Vikings 59-41 at LC. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

On the same side of the eight-team bracket is No. 1-ranked Meridian (8-1) entertaining Capital (5-4) on Friday. Meridian shut out Capital 20-0 last week.

On the other side of the bracket, Highland (7-2) and Idaho Falls (6-3) face off at Holt Arena in Pocatello, a week after Highland eased past Idaho Falls 31-7. In the other game, Centennial (7-2), which lost 32-22 at Lewiston on Friday, plays host to Mountain View (6-3), also on Friday. Centennial blanked Mountain View 17-0 earlier in the season.

Defending state champ Twin Falls did not qualify for the playoffs.

4A

Just like 5A, the first-round games here are rematches of earlier games.

Sandpoint (5-4) plays host to Skyview of Nampa (6-3) on Friday at 7. Sandpoint’s first win of the season came at Skyview on Sept. 15. Trailing 21-7 with about 3 minutes remaining, the Bulldogs rallied to force overtime as Sandpoint prevailed 27-21.

In the other openers Friday, top-ranked and defending state champ Bishop Kelly (9-0) entertains Caldwell (5-4); second-ranked Pocatello (9-0) takes on Madison (8-1) at Holt Arena; and Blackfoot (7-2) travels to Minico (7-2).

3A

Intermountain League champ Bonners Ferry (6-3) returns from a week off to play host to Fruitland (8-1) on Saturday. Kickoff at Kenny Mendenhall Stadium is at 1 p.m.

IML runner-up Timberlake (4-5) travels to No. 1-ranked Weiser (9-0), also on Saturday. The game begins at noon PST.

In the other games, Snake River (7-1) meets Declo (6-3) and Shelley (7-1) goes against Buhl (7-1).

Defending state champ Marsh Valley did not qualify for the playoffs.

2A

Defending state champ West Side (9-0) faces West Jefferson (6-3) in a first-round game.

In other openers, Kamiah (9-0) meets Melba (6-3), Firth (8-1) goes against Glenns Ferry (8-1) and Nampa Christian (9-0) takes on either Orofino (6-3) or Grangeville (3-4). Those teams meet in a playoff tonight to decide which team advances to the playoffs.

1A Division I

Wallace (6-2), which shared the North Star League championship with Mullan and Clark Fork, plays host to Troy (8-1) in an opener Saturday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

In other openers, Lewis County (6-2) is at Genesee (9-0) on Friday, Castleford (8-1) travels to Garden Valley (8-0) and defending state champ Raft River (7-1) faces either Council (4-4), Cascade (5-4) or Idaho City (5-4). A three-way playoff will be held tonight to decide the berth.

1A Division II

Mullan (6-2) gets another shot at Clark Fork (5-3) when the teams meet Saturday at 1 p.m. at Clark Fork.

Clark Fork slipped past Mullan 26-20 during the regular season.

In other openers, defending state champ Horseshoe Bend (7-2) goes to Salmon River (9-0), North Gem (6-2) visits Carey (8-1) and Camas County (7-2) is at top-ranked Mackay (8-0).