STATE 6A FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: Lake City blanked by Highland again
POCATELLO — Lake City's second shot at Highland of Pocatello this year didn't go much better than the first go-round.
The 12th-seeded Timberwolves moved the ball in spurts, but were unable to find the end zone in a 31-0 loss to the fifth-seeded Rams in a 6A Round of 12 state playoff football game Saturday at Highland High's Iron Horse Stadium.
"Highland is explosive on offense and stingy on defense; they are really well coached," fourth-year Lake City coach Byron Hout said. "We played really well in the beginning and then had some mental errors that Highland capitalized on. We competed hard until the end, but it was too much to overcome."
Lake City, in the state playoffs for the first time since 2019, finishes 6-4, its most wins in a season since 2014 — the last year the T-Wolves won a state playoff game.
"We had a special year, and it wasn’t the wins or the losses — it was about the journey, the growth, the relationships, and the culture we built along the way," Hout said. "I’m proud of this team and everything we accomplished together."
Highland (5-5) will travel to No. 4 Eagle (6-3) in the quarterfinals this weekend.
Six weeks ago, Lake City lost to Highland 36-0 at Butte, Mont.
Senior workhorse Brayden Van Leuven rushed for around 100 yards for Lake City.
Bridger Hanks booted a 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter to put Highland on the board.
Jacob Vincent hit a wide-open Steele Hoopes for a 47-yard score to make it 10-0 Rams.
Following a Highland interception and return to the Lake City 20, Vincent connected with Kellan Tingey on an 8-yard score.
Vincent then hooked up with Hoopes on a 16-yard TD pass on second and goal, and it was 24-0 at the half.
Lake City took the second-half kickoff and marched from the 25 to the Highland 17 before the drive stalled, and the T-Wolves missed a 34-yard field goal.
Lake City again drove into Highland territory before turning the ball over on downs early in the fourth quarter.
Highland tacked on a final score with just over a minute to play.
"I can’t thank our seniors enough for buying in, trusting the process, and helping build a strong foundation for the future of Lake City," Hout said. "The way they led, competed, worked, and represented this program has made an impact that will last long after they are done playing. They’ve helped reestablish a standard and a culture that the younger guys now have the responsibility to carry on. That’s a legacy they should be proud of."
Lake City 0 0 0 0 — 0
Highland 0 24 0 7 — 31
Second quarter
High — FG Bridger Hanks 46
High — Steele Hoopes 47 pass from Jacob Vincent (Hanks kick)
High — Kellan Tingey 8 pass from Vincent (Hanks kick)
High — Hoopes 16 pass from Vincent (Hanks kick)
Fourth quarter
High — Quinn Jeppesen 6 run (Hanks kick)