High school football returns to Idaho Aug. 27. Defending state 4A champion Kuna opens the season at No. 1 in the MaxPreps computer rankings after going 13-0 and outscouring opponents 583-273 in 2019.
The Kavemen didn't make the playoffs in 2018 and didn't rank among the Top 20 most dominant teams in the last decade — a MaxPreps computer-generated report compiled in March.
But Kuna returns 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior quarterback
Sean Austin, who helped his team beat opponents last season by an average margin of 24 points per game.
The state's most dominant program of the last decade, Coeur d'Alene, starts the season at No. 2 after losing one of the most thrilling state title games in Idaho history, 57-56 to Rigby in the 5A championship tilt. The Vikings return 12 starters including senior quarterback
Jack Prka (6-1, 190), running back/linebacker
Trent Elstad (5-9, 180) and wide receiver/safety
Tyson Pottenger (6-2, 180).
Rigby, which avenged a season-opening loss to Coeur d'Alene, opens the season at No. 3 and also returns 12 starters, including senior wide receiver
Trajen Larsen (6-0, 180), linebacker
Landon Johnson (6-1, 200) and defensive back
Payton Vansteenkiste (6-0, 180).
See the complete list below. Click on team links for schedules, rosters and previews.
Idaho Preseason MaxPreps Top 25
1.
Kuna, 13-0 record in 2019
2.
Coeur d'Alene, 9-3
3.
Rigby, 10-1
4.
Rocky Mountain (Meridian), 10-1
5.
Highland (Pocatello), 8-4
6.
West Side (Dayton), 11-1
7.
Sugar-Salem (Sugar City), 10-1
8.
Bishop Kelly (Boise), 7-3
9.
Skyline (Idaho Falls), 6-4
10.
Vallivue (Caldwell), 8-3
11.
Homedale, 11-1
12.
Borah, 7-3
13.
Weiser, 8-2
14.
Blackfoot, 11-2
15.
Mountain View (Meridian), 8-3
16.
McCall-Donnelly (McCall, Idaho), 11-1
17.
North Fremont (Ashton), 10-1
18.
Middleton, 8-4
19.
Madison (Rexburg), 3-7
20.
Eagle, 7-4
21.
Timberlake (Spirit Lake), 9-1
22
Melba, 8-3
23.
Gooding, 8-2
24.
Nampa, 8-4
25.
Marsh Valley (Arimo), 4-5
