The Shelley Russets will venture away from home to challenge the Idaho Falls Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Shelley will be strutting in after a victory while Idaho Falls will be coming in after a defeat.
Shelley took a loss when they played away from home last Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They blew past Bonneville 49-14. The Russets' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
Shelley's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Alex Beck, who rushed for 28 yards and three TDs, and also threw for 72 yards and one touchdown on only five passes. Another rusher making a difference was Jensen Horlacher, who rushed for 133 yards and one score.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Shelley was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 306 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since the start of last season.
Meanwhile, Idaho Falls was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their 13th straight loss dating back to last season. They were dealt a 56-7 defeat at the hands of Blackfoot. The Tigers were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 28-0.
Shelley's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-6. As for Idaho Falls, their loss dropped their record down to 0-7.
Friday's contest might be decided in the trenches. Shelley has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 155.3 rushing yards per game. It's a different story for Idaho Falls, though, as they've been averaging only 91 rushing yards. How will they fare against such a dominant running game?
Shelley skirted past Idaho Falls 35-33 when the teams last played back in October of 2024. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was the Tigers' Bradley Elison, who threw for 303 yards and five touchdowns. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be easier for the Russets to walk away with another win? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
