BOISE, Idaho — Prep football returns to the Gem State this week with a limited schedule of opening contests. Before the action gets underway, reporters evaluated expectations to build preseason rankings for every classification.
Coeur d'Alene arrived as the 6A favorite in the first Idaho high school football state media poll, released Tuesday afternoon. A pair of Southern Idaho Conference squads appeared in the initial top five, with two others receiving votes.
Defending state champions Bishop Kelly (5A) and Sugar-Salem (4A) swept the first-place votes following undefeated seasons last fall. Dietrich debuted as the unanimous 1A favorite and Carey climbed into the rankings following a 3-6 campaign.
The 2024 preseason prep football rankings are listed below by classification, as voted on by sports reporters across Idaho.
6A
Team (1st-place votes) 2023 Pts
1. Coeur d'Alene (5) 9-3 38
2. Rocky Mountain (1) 7-4 30
t-3. Eagle (2) 10-1 27
t-3. Rigby (1) 6-5 27
5. Highland 11-1 8
Others receiving votes: Meridian 4, Owyhee 1
5A
Team (1st-place votes) 2023 Pts
1. Bishop Kelly (9) 13-0 45
2. Skyline 8-4 32
3. Sandpoint 7-4 16
4. Hillcrest 12-1 13
5. Skyview 7-4 12
Others receiving votes: Lewiston 7, Minico 5, Pocatello 4, Twin Falls 1
4A
Team (1st-place votes) 2023 Pts
1. Sugar-Salem (9) 11-0 45
2. Homedale 10-1 35
t-3. Kimberly 10-1 21
t-3. Weiser 10-2 21
5. Teton 10-2 10
Others receiving votes: Timberlake 2, Buhl 1
3A
Team (1st-place votes) 2023 Pts
1. West Side (7) 9-2 39
2. Declo (2) 11-1 33
3. North Fremont 8-2 26
4. Aberdeen 6-4 15
5. Nampa Christian 6-3 9
Others receiving votes: Firth 8, Melba 3, Grangeville 2
2A
Team (1st-place votes) 2023 Pts
1. Kendrick (6) 10-0 38
2. Butte County (2) 11-1 34
3. Oakley 9-2 28
4. Valley (1) 6-5 15
5. Grace 7-4 14
Others receiving votes: Logos 3, Notus 2, Kamiah 1
1A
Team (1st-place votes) 2023 Pts
1. Dietrich (9) 6-4 45
2. Rockland 8-3 29
3. Garden Valley 7-4 24
4. Tri-Valley 7-3 15
5. Carey 3-6 12
Others receiving votes: Camas County 6, Council 4
Voters:
- Adam Engel, Times-News
- Brandon Walton, Idaho State Journal
- Max Oswald, Bonner County Daily Bee
- Randy Isbelle, Lewiston Tribune
- Mark Nelke, Coeur d'Alene Press
- Allan Steele, East Idaho News
- Race Archibald, Idaho Press
- Brady Frederick, KTVB
- Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman
2024 PREP PREVIEWS:
