Michael.Lycklama - I picked Shelley to win this game 20-14 in my weekly picks column, which you can read in full here.
But here's the excerpt for this game:
Shelley vs. Fruitland
Stop me if this sounds familiar — Shelley will face Fruitland for a state title.
Whether it’s football or basketball, these two teams have been head and shoulders above the rest of the 3A classification for the past decade, building a rivalry despite being separated by more than 300 miles of sage brush.
And with Shelley in its last year in 3A, what better to go out than a battle to determine the team of the decade?
As always, be ready for physical running attacks from both teams. Shelley’s two-headed attack of Aaron Adams and Gabe Nii has piled up 2,294 yards on the ground while Fruitland’s two-headed attack of Jordan Martin and Daulton Blackwell has rushed for 2,166 yards.
But Shelley coach Dwight Richins makes an excellent point. Because the strength of both teams is running and stopping the run, the passing game might make the difference.
“The break (today) may come from the passing game,” Richins said. “Whoever can exploit the other throwing the football may have an advantage.”
And I trust Chase Richins more than I trust Fruitland quarterback Ryan Wright, who didn’t attempt a pass last week, because he didn’t need to.
But in the end, do you really think Shelley will exit 3A without a football title? I don’t.
Shelley 20, Fruitland 14
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