MERIDIAN, Idaho — Bragging rights are up for grabs at Rocky Mountain High School this weekend as some of the region's top football teams compete in a new event.
The first annual Northwest Showdown brings top-tier talent to Meridian for a two-day showcase. Four squads in Idaho's largest classification will square off with powerhouse programs from Oregon and Washington.
Prep football fans can watch every game live on KTVB.COM, KTVB+ for Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, and the KTVB mobile app. Friday's slate features 5 p.m. MDT and 8 p.m. MDT contests, followed by showdowns at 11 a.m. MDT and 2 p.m. MDT Saturday.
The lineup includes Rocky Mountain and Eagle – the Treasure Valley's top-ranked 6A teams – the Gem State's most decorated program in Highland and three-time state champion Rigby.
Oregon is represented by West Linn and Summit, while Chiawana and Moses Lake represent The Evergreen State. The Northwest Showdown's eight-team field combines for more than two dozen state championships, including four in the past two seasons.
HIGHLAND 28, SUMMIT 19
Kickoff: 2 p.m. MDT Saturday, Sept. 7 (1 p.m. PDT)
Broadcast: KTVB.COM, KTVB+, KTVB mobile app
Highland: The most decorated program in the Gem State secured its record 12th state championship in 2023, capping an 11-1 season in style. Highland is ranked No. 4 in the Idaho high school football state media poll (6A). The Rams have reached the postseason 34 years in a row, the longest active streak in Idaho.
Summit: The program out of Bend is 28-9 across the past three seasons, reaching at least the state quarterfinals three times in that span. Summit secured state championships in 2022 and 2015 in Oregon's second-largest classification, with a trip to the state semifinals last fall.
WEST LINN 51, EAGLE 14
Kickoff: 11 a.m. MDT Saturday, Sept. 7 (10 a.m. PDT)
Broadcast: KTVB.COM, KTVB+, KTVB mobile app
Eagle: The defending 5A Southern Idaho Conference champions own the league's longest active postseason streak, qualifying for the state tournament 16 years in a row. The Mustangs are ranked No. 3 in the Idaho high school football state media poll (6A) after defeating Meridian 28-13 in Week 1.
West Linn: The Lions have captured the state throne two times in the past seven years in Oregon's largest classifications. West Linn enters 2024 on the heels of three-straight trips to the state semifinals. The Portland power went 11-1 last season.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN 42, CHIAWANA 8
Kickoff: 5 p.m. MDT Friday, Sept. 6 (4 p.m. PDT)
Broadcast: KTVB.COM, KTVB+, KTVB mobile app
Rocky Mountain: The Grizzlies have won three state championships in the past nine years, with nine trips to the semifinals across the past 11 seasons. Rocky Mountain is ranked No. 2 in the Idaho high school football state media poll (6A) after opening the season with a 53-14 win over Kuna.
Chiawana: The Riverhawks have won at least a share of their league title five times in six years, with a 19-3 record in the past two seasons. Chiawana claimed a state title in Washington's largest classification in 2013. The Pasco program returned to the finals in 2014.
RIGBY 47, MOSES LAKE 12
Kickoff: 8 p.m. MDT Friday, Sept. 6 (7 p.m. PDT)
Broadcast: KTVB.COM, KTVB+, KTVB mobile app
Rigby: The Trojans tout three state championships and four title game appearances in the past five years. Rigby is ranked No. 5 in the Idaho high school football state media poll (6A). The last five years saw the Trojans win 48 of 58 contests.
Moses Lake: The Mavericks roll into Meridian following an 8-2 finish last fall. Moses Lake claimed three-straight league titles between 2015 and 2017. The program went 21-10 and earned a playoff spot in the past three seasons.
