BOISE, Idaho — Following two months of non-stop competition and four weeks of post-season play, six teams cemented themselves in history with an Idaho high school football state championship this weekend.
From Sugar-Salem earning its fifth title in the last six years, to Butte County capturing a championship win for the first time in program history, the 2023 campaign concluded with plenty of storylines. The lone finale on The Blue even came down to a last-second field goal try.
Prep football fans can find scores, state championship game recaps, Friday Night Football highlights and final brackets in this story, listed below by classification.
5A
(East #1) Highland 35, (North #1) Coeur d'Alene 28
Highland added to its loaded trophy case on Saturday, defeating Coeur d'Alene 35-28 in an instant classic at Holt Arena for its first 5A state championship since 2017. The Rams have now won an Idaho record 12 football titles overall and six since 2000.
Under second-year head coach Nick Sorrell, Highland put together an 11-win season that featured wins over last year's state championship participants in Rigby and Meridian. After their lone loss to the Warriors in September, the Rams got revenge with a 20-14 win in the semifinals.
After missing the state playoffs last fall, Coeur d'Alene lost to just one Gem State team during the regular season in pursuit of a fourth trophy under head coach Shawn Amos. The Vikings handed top-ranked Eagle its first loss of the year last week on the road. Coeur d'Alene finishes 9-3.
4A
(#2) Bishop Kelly 29, (#1) Hillcrest 26
Bishop Kelly took down top-seeded Hillcrest on Friday 29-26 inside Albertsons Stadium to claim its first 4A state championship since 2015. In their first season under head coach Chris Culig, the Knights finish a perfect 13-0, capturing both the SIC and statewide throne.
Previously-unbeaten Hillcrest came up just short on The Blue, missing a game-tying 27-yard field goal. The Knights were chasing their first 4A title since 2018, when they knocked off Bishop Kelly.
The three-point margin was the smallest of any Bishop Kelly game this season. Standout running back Peter Minnaert led the way for the champs with three touchdowns, while Hillcrest's Tyson Sweetwood totaled three scores.
3A
(#1) Sugar-Salem 63, (#3) Teton 27
For the fifth time in six years, Sugar-Salem brought home the 3A state championship after defeating Teton 63-27 on Saturday inside Holt Arena. Head coach Tyler Richins and the Diggers close another unforgettable chapter at a perfect 13-0.
Sugar-Salem also set a new state record in the win, posting the most points in a 3A title game since Snake River scored 56 in 1996. Teton was the first to find the end zone and trailed just 28-20 at halftime, before the Diggers erupted and took a 42-20 advantage into the final frame.
The Timberwolves finish the season at 10-2 overall, with their only losses coming to Sugar-Salem on Saturday and in mid-October. Teton entered the title bout on a four-game winning streak after knocking off undefeated Homedale 49-42 in the semifinals.
2A
(#3) West Side 41, (#1) Declo 13
West Side captured its fourth 2A state championship in five years on Friday with a 41-13 win over top-ranked and previously-undefeated Declo at Holt Arena. The Pirates avenged their lone loss to an Idaho team this season after the Hornets beat them in a 27-26 thriller in early October.
Since the loss, West Side went on a five-game streak to finish the season 9-2 and atop the 2A throne. After a William Garrard touchdown cut Declo's deficit to 27-13 with roughly four minutes to play, the Pirates shut the door with back-to-back touchdowns, including a pick-six from Trayce Stone.
1A DI
(#2) Butte County 58, (#1) Oakley 44
Butte County claimed its first state championship in program history at Holt Arena on Friday, taking down top-seeded Oakley 58-44. The Pirates finished the season on a five-game winning streak and posted an 11-1 overall record on their way to the 1A DI title.
Friday's result marks Oakley's first loss to a 1A DI team since October 2021. The Hornets were chasing their fourth-straight championship, but came up just short in a high-scoring affair. Oakley finishes the season 9-2, with its only other loss coming to 1A DII state champion Kendrick on Sept. 1.
1A DII
(2A) Kendrick 68, (4A) Camas County 0
Kendrick added to its dynasty and ended an impressive 2023 run for Camas County inside the Kibbie Dome Thursday night with a 68-0 win in the 1A DII state championship game.
The victory marks the Tigers' third-straight state title. Kendrick is the first team to post a shutout in an 8-man championship contest since 1985. Senior quarterback Ty Koepp led the way with six total touchdowns, including five in the first half.
Camas County, who made its first appearance in a state championship contest since 1981 on Thursday, finishes the season 9-2 overall.
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