Observations through Week 3

Photo Courtesy: Les McPhail

Three weeks are in the books in the Idaho 8-Man football season, though we lost a couple great matchups because of poor air quality in Week 3, and it's time to start taking stock of where we are.

There's plenty of time left, there are no "absolutes," rather just an opportunity to take a look around.

Let's go by district/region.

District I/II

Among the Division I teams, there aren't any huge surprises at this point. Genesee (2-0) is out of the gates quickly and, rightfully, ranked among the state's best. Edward Becker is making an early case for All-State consideration. Lapwai (3-0) took control of its destiny with a big win last week over Troy (0-2), who also figures to be in the mix. Prairie (0-1) will also have its voice heard.

A darkhorse team to keep your eyes on is Wallace (3-0). The Miners have a potent offense with QB Erik Brackebusch, RBs Jaden Dimitroff and Layton Gallagher and WR Matt Farkas (pictured above) and have reached 50 points in two of their three games.

In Division II, Deary (2-0) has assumed the role of the early favorite with its own All-State candidate, Jalen Kirk. Poor air quality wiped a potential marquee matchup between the Mustangs and Division 1 Genesee off the schedule.

The White Star League gets two playoff teams. Deary seems a good bet to claim one of them. Based on an early-season win over Lakeside, Kendrick (1-1) have put itself in position to make a move for the second spot. The Knights (1-1) bounced back from the Kendrick loss by beating Clark Fork (1-2), which strengthens their chance but, if Lakeside and Kendrick wind up tied for second, Kendrick has the tiebreaker.

District III

The Division I Western Idaho Conference has gotten off to a bit of a slow start with last season's top two teams, Notus (1-2) and Wilder (1-1), each suffering lopsided defeats to one of the top teams in Division II out of District III, Tri-Valley. Rimrock (2-1) has gotten off to a respectable start after finishing 3-7 last season.

A team to keep your eye on is Idaho City (1-2). Prevailing thought going into the season was that Jason Roeber's team was one year away from making a splash in the WIC but the door appears to be open for the Wildcats this season.

The Division II Long Pin Conference looks tough. The aforementioned Tri-Valley Titans (2-0) have won their first two games by a combined score of 136-22 over Division I squads. Perennial LPC bully (and defending state champion) Salmon River and Garden Valley are also 2-0 with Salmon River scoring 88 points and Garden Valley 116 points.

And don't sleep on Council (0-1). The Lumberjacks were forced to cancel their first two games due to academic ineligibilities and doesn't have key performer Lance Nichols in the lineup yet.

District III gets two teams in each the Division I and Division II playoffs. It looks like a couple good teams will ultimately miss the postseason.

District IV/V/VI

We're placing these together, even though there is a District V/VI league in Division II. So keep that in mind.

Once again, District IV's Division I league, the Snake River Conference, looks like an absolute gauntlet for its teams. Whoever advances will definitely earn it. QB Jason Hardy and RB Kodi Burk (among others) have gotten Valley (3-0) off to a tremendous start while defending state champion Raft River, maybe surprisingly to some, has started 2-0, including a win over another SRC toughie, Oakley (1-1). Any of those three, on any given week, can make you think, "This is a title-caliber team."

But they have to go through each other, along with the rest of the conference, including Challis (2-1) and Grace (2-1).

The district gets three spots in the postseason. Good luck trying to decide where these teams land. Some quality depth - again - in this region.

In Division II, Carey (3-0) has shot out of the gates quickly in the Sawtooth West (District IV), led by quarterback Houston Hennefer. But so has Rockland (3-0) from the Sawtooth East (District V/VI) behind the strong play of RB/LB Spencer Permann and his teammates.

Dietrich and Lighthouse Christian ... both 2-1 in the West ... along with talented Butte County and upstart Clark County/Watersprings, (2-1 in the East) are off to good starts as well. Clark County and Watersprings had originally planned on fielding separate teams but, due to low numbers, formed a competitive co-operative team late this summer.

Each half of the Sawtooth gets four playoff teams and they play an opening-round against each other, East versus West, before the quarterfinals. That opens the door for a team like Camas County (1-2), Castleford (1-2), North Gem (1-1) or a rejuvinated Mackay team to find themselves in playoff position once late October rolls around.

Want a sneak peek at the playoff format? Find Division I HERE and Division II HERE, courtesy of the fine folks at IdahoSports.com.

We've only completed three weeks, the narrative can change significantly between now and the end of October. But that's why we all love the games and support our teams and communities.

#Idaho8Man