State Champions Crowned

The game we had all been waiting for turned out to be a one-sided affair.  The Coeur D'Alene Vikings left no doubt they were the top team in the state of Idaho by beating the top three teams in the SIC capped off with a 49-28 win over Eagle at Bronco Stadium in the state championship game.

Vikings quarterback Chad Chalich played his final game in a Viking uniform and he made it a memorable one.  He accounted for over 460 total yards and added five touchdowns.  The reigning 5A All-Idaho player of the year finished off his 2011 season with 56 total touchdowns and just two interceptions.  Even more impressively, he played his final game with a hairline fracture in his right foot.

The Eagle Mustangs had an incredible season, but did not end it the way they had hoped to.  After the starting defense had not allowed a point in their first two playoff games, the Vikings exposed the highly touted Mustang defense for 49 points that proved to be the difference.

If you wanted your fix for high school football, Holt Arena was the place to be Friday night.  With a doubleheader nightcap that lasted until after 11:00 PM, there were plenty of fireworks and unexpected twists. 

The defending state champion Fruitland Grizzlies came into their state championship rematch with Snake River a big favorite, but the Panthers made a statement on the second play of the game that proved they were in for a dogfight.  Bret Parkinson ran a slant across the middle and quarterback Wyatt Wray found him and Parkinson was off to the races for a 96 yard touchdown.  From there, the Grizzlies found a way to keep answering but in the end fell 35-33 to Snake River in one of the best high school football games I have ever been a part of.

The 4A State Championship was much closer than the final score indicated.  The Middleton Vikings used a heavy dose of Victor Dias and ran their offense to perfection in the first half and held a slim lead over the top ranked Blackfoot Broncos at halftime.  In the second half, it was the Trey Pilster show.  The senior quarterback used a perfect combination of throwing and running to stymie the Vikings in the second half as Blackfoot finished their perfect season.

It was a great night of high school football to cap off an incredible season.  Make sure to listen to 630 The Fan all week as we cap off the High School Football season and move forward to basketball season.