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6:22

There's not much to say about Hillcrest that we haven't published ad nauseum over this season and last. The Knights will pound the ball on the ground out of the now-famous double wing. Devin Droghei (1,307 yards, 8.1 ypc, 13 TD) and Jordan Speirs (1260 yards, 6.8 ypc, 23 TD) will touch the ball on nearly every snap. Quarterback Johnny Griffiths is averaging about a throw and a half per game and has one touchdown pass on the season to go with one pick.

If there's a departure from what everybody in the state has known for a year about Hillcrest, it's that the Knights defense has buckled down at the end of the season.

In Hillcrest's last four games, the Knights have surrendered 6, 6, 24 and 0 points. The 24 came in a two-point win over Blackfoot, which boasts one of the most dangerous offenses in the state.

Here's the Post Register's preview capsule for the game:

By the numbers
Points scored: Hillcrest 41.2, Pocatello 25
Points allowed: Hillcrest 16.1, Pocatello 28.7

Players to watch
Hillcrest: RB Devin Droghei, sr.; RB Jordan Speirs, sr.
Pocatello: RB Jerron Batts, soph.; QB Tyler Hargraves, sr.

What to know: To defend its 4A title, Hillcrest will have to run through the same team it beat in last year’s quarterfinals, Pocatello.

Pocatello comes in much less heralded than last season. Last year, the Indians entered the game as the state’s top-ranked 4A team. This year, it comes in with just three wins, two of which came over Jerome.

But that doesn’t mean Hillcrest will take them any less serious. Pocatello is still the physical team it always is and it can cause problems.

Leading the way for Hillcrest is a senior-loaded backfield that led it to last year’s championship. Devin Droghei leads the area in rushing despite missing one game with 1,307 yards and has added 13 touchdowns. Fellow wingback Jordan Speirs is second in rushing, 1,260 yards, and leads the area in scoring thanks to 23 touchdowns.

6:41

Pocatello has a fine receiver in Kyle Hanson, but Pocatello remains a running-dominant team. Wes Howard pounds the ball up the middle, though sophomore speedster Jerron Batts might be the better runner despite gettingi fewer touches.

Poky's third back, Jake Valentine, is out for the year with an injury.

Pocatello's starting quarterback, Tyler Hargraves, has enjoyed some success throwing the ball (usually to Hanson), but Pocatello is in trouble if it falls behind and has to take to the air.

6:51	Pocatello kicker Noah Bush is practicing field goals. He just hit a 45-yarder, so the kicking game is perhaps a weapon Pocatello enjoys that most high school squads don't.

6:59	FIRST QUARTER Poky receives and starts at its 21.

7:01	Chase Howell picks off Hargraves and returns it 25 yards to the Poky 25.

7:02	After a penalty, Hillcrest starts at the Poky 35.

7:04	An 11-yard Droghei run gives hllcrest first and ten at the 18

7:06	7:58 - After a nine-yard Droghei run put Hillcrest at the five, Speirs runs around the right side for a 5-yard score. The kick by Sam Horman is good. Hillcrest 7, Pocatello 0

7:07	The Hillcrest scoring drive went six plays and 35 yards after the Howell interception.

7:08	Horman's kick takes a bad hop on Batts, who touches the ball before it goes out of bounds at the one-foot yard line. Great field position for Hillcrest.

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