Prep Football Kicks Off in Boise

Boise, Idaho — The excitement in Idaho is building as prep football returns this week, bringing a limited schedule of opening games to the Gem State. With the season about to kick off, sports reporters have been busy evaluating teams to create preseason rankings for every classification.

The first Idaho high school football state media poll was released on Tuesday afternoon, and Coeur d’Alene is leading the way as the favorite in the 6A class. The poll shows strong representation from the Southern Idaho Conference, where a couple of teams landed in the initial top five, and others received votes as well. Defending champions Bishop Kelly (5A) and Sugar-Salem (4A) swept the first-place votes after both teams had undefeated seasons last fall. Notably, Dietrich debuted as the unanimous favorite in the 1A class, while Carey made a notable rise in the rankings after finishing last season with a 3-6 record.

Here are some highlighted rankings by classification:

6A Rankings

• 1. Coeur d’Alene (5 votes) – 9-3 (38 points)
• 2. Rocky Mountain (1 vote) – 7-4 (30 points)
• 3. Eagle (2 votes) – 10-1 (27 points)
• 3. Rigby (1 vote) – 6-5 (27 points)
• 5. Highland – 11-1 (8 points)

5A Rankings

• 1. Bishop Kelly (9 votes) – 13-0 (45 points)
• 2. Skyline – 8-4 (32 points)
• 3. Sandpoint – 7-4 (16 points)
• 4. Hillcrest – 12-1 (13 points)
• 5. Skyview – 7-4 (12 points)

4A Rankings

• 1. Sugar-Salem (9 votes) – 11-0 (45 points)
• 2. Homedale – 10-1 (35 points)
• 3. Kimberly – 10-1 (21 points)
• 3. Weiser – 10-2 (21 points)
• 5. Teton – 10-2 (10 points)

3A Rankings

• 1. West Side (7 votes) – 9-2 (39 points)
• 2. Declo (2 votes) – 11-1 (33 points)
• 3. North Fremont – 8-2 (26 points)
• 4. Aberdeen – 6-4 (15 points)
• 5. Nampa Christian – 6-3 (9 points)

2A Rankings

• 1. Kendrick (6 votes) – 10-0 (38 points)
• 2. Butte County (2 votes) – 11-1 (34 points)
• 3. Oakley – 9-2 (28 points)
• 4. Valley (1 vote) – 6-5 (15 points)
• 5. Grace – 7-4 (14 points)

1A Rankings

• 1. Dietrich (9 votes) – 6-4 (45 points)
• 2. Rockland – 8-3 (29 points)
• 3. Garden Valley – 7-4 (24 points)
• 4. Tri-Valley – 7-3 (15 points)
• 5. Carey – 3-6 (12 points)

As the season approaches, schools across Idaho aim to showcase their talent. Expect Eagle to leverage its physicality in pursuit of a state title, while Boise embraces a prove-it mentality following a historic season. With new leadership at Kuna, there’s renewed optimism, and Capital is determined to climb back into postseason contention.

Fans are excited for the action ahead, and the stage is set for an exhilarating season of prep football in Idaho.