PREP LOOKAHEAD: First full week of football has arrived

The first official week of high school football games is here.

A number of schools began play last week in “week zero” action, but the rest of the state returns to the gridiron this weekend. Coaches, players and fans finally get to see how their team looks in 2024, as well as their competition.

Here are the top games to watch in the first week of the season.

6ARight away, it’s a rematch of last year’s 5A (now 6A) Southern Idaho Conference championship game between Meridian and Eagle. It was a thriller, with the Mustangs winning in overtime on a two-point conversion. Both meetings last season were in Eagle, but this Friday’s game will be in Meridian. Eagle was No. 3 in the preseason state media poll, while Meridian was in the “others receiving votes” category. It’s an early measuring stick for both teams to see where they stack up against potential conference title contenders.

Mountain View travels to Pocatello to face Woods Cross (Utah) at the Idaho Central Credit Union Dome. It’s part of the annual Rocky Mountain Rumble, where seven teams from Idaho face out-of-state competition on Friday and Saturday.

Rocky Mountain was second in the preseason poll and hosts Kuna to open the season. The Grizzlies enter the season with 19 returning starters and high expectations. The Kavemen have never defeated Rocky Mountain, something new head coach Beau Smith aims to do in his first try.

Owyhee travels to Centennial for a non-conference matchup. Another team with big goals for the season, the Storm will be looking to start their 2024 campaign on the right foot. Borah and Timberline will face off Thursday at Dona Larsen Park, followed by Capital and Boise on Friday.

5ADefending state champion Bishop Kelly kicks off their state title defense at home against Bonneville. The Knights have a pair of tough games in the following weeks against Minico and Rigby.

Nampa played last week and has already surpassed their win total from last season. The Bulldogs crushed Century at home 42-7 last Friday. Next up is a road date at Middleton, a team with playoff aspirations in 6A.

Emmett was also in action last week, dismantling Canyon Ridge 34-6. They’ll face another team that played last week who also scored a big win. Fruitland defeated Kimberly 32-28 and will look to continue playing at a high level when they host the Huskies.

Skyview lost last week to Minico 17-0 on the road and returns home this week to face Pocatello.

4AHomedale took care of business at home last week in a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal, defeating Snake River. This week, they’ll hit the road to play Filer. Weiser begins their 2024 season Thursday, hosting Buhl. Payette hosts Parma in a non-conference game.

3ANampa Christian faces a tough test right out of the gate. They host No. 2 Declo on Friday, who got their season underway last week, beating Teton. The Trojans are expected to contend for a conference title.

Melba also has conference title aspirations and begins their season across state lines. The Mustangs travel to Elko, Nevada, to face Elko High School.

Both Marsing and New Plymouth played last week. Marsing defeated old conference foe Cole Valley Christian 28-16, while New Plymouth lost to Firth 45-0. Both schools are off this week.