Rigby gives Vikings dose of respect

Must be something about eastern Idaho teams playing the Coeur d’Alene Vikings in football.

The Highland Rams of Pocatello have played the Vikings 10 times since 2012 — more times than Coeur d’Alene has played teams in its own league over that span — some of them in high-pressure playoff games.

But the Highland-Cd’A “rivalry” is about as civil as they come. Heck, a former quarterback for the Vikings — the son of the coach — stayed with the Highland coach for a few weeks one fall when he transferred from Idaho to Idaho State, and needed a place to crash until he could find his own place.

Who knows if Rigby-Coeur d’Alene will ever reach that level. But these teams have now met three times since the start of the 2018 season, most recently Rigby’s stirring 57-56 double-overtime victory over the Vikings in the state 5A championship game Saturday afternoon at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

THAT GAME followed a pair of regular-season openers between the two teams that went down to the wire — Coeur d’Alene rallying for a 29-26 victory at Rigby in 2018, and the Vikings holding off the Trojans 31-26 earlier this season at Viking Field.

When Armando Gonzalez took over as head coach at Rigby three years ago, he told his administration he wanted to play the other best teams in the state — Coeur d’Alene, and the top Boise schools.

He was able to schedule a home-and-home with Coeur d’Alene the past two seasons, and if possible, he wants to keep playing the Vikings.

Before Saturday’s game, Gonzalez and Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos were chatting on the field.

“I told coach before the game, if there’s anyone else in Idaho I want to win this, it’s him,” Gonzalez said. “I respect him, I respect their program, I respect how he carries himself, and how they treat their guests. They were cordial in how they treated us when we went up there (earlier this season). We are trying to model our program after them.

“I thanked him for the motivation to become who they are someday.”

AFTER HIGHLAND and its 11 titles, Coeur d’Alene is the most decorated 5A football program in Idaho. The Vikings have won five state titles in their history, the first two coming in 1982 and ’85 when they were seemingly regulars in the state title game.

Fast forward to this decade, where on Saturday Coeur d’Alene was playing in its sixth state title game since 2010.

Rigby was playing in its first state title game in football in school history.

For what it’s worth, Rigby’s not the only school whose win over Coeur d’Alene marked its first state title.

Twin Falls notched its only state title in 2004, beating the Vikings in Pocatello. Meridian beat Coeur d’Alene for the 1986 title; the Warriors have won just once since (2005).

Just interesting.

THE FACT Coeur d’Alene was in its sixth title game in 10 seasons might someday override the feeling of losing a crushing double-overtime game in the most recent title game.

But it won’t just yet.

“I’ve been in enough of these games; there’s nothing that you can say to (the players) right now that they’re going to hear,” Amos said between hugs from players and others on the Kibbie Dome turf moments after the game. “They’re heartbroken, they gave it their all, they know we love them, they know we’re proud of ’em.

“When it’s said and done, they’ll be proud of this year, and know they’ve done some great things.”

Coeur d’Alene will lose some terrific seniors, including Colbey Nosworthy, a two-way star at wide receiver and safety.

But the Vikings figure to be right back in the state title mix next year, as loads of juniors played key roles this season.

“Just sad for the seniors,” Coeur d’Alene junior quarterback Jack Prka said. “It’s definitely motivation for next year, I guess.”

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.