Before this prep football season kicked off, I compiled a list of “11 Teams to Look Out For.”  It was a list of teams that I thought would contend for, or win the State Championships in their respective divisions.  I hit the nail on the head with squads like Meridian, Fruitland, Minico, and Ontario… but there were other teams that I just missed the boat on, and left off the list.

But, now that the Idaho and Oregon State Championships are in the books, I present to you…

9 Teams That I Should’ve Looked Out For

Capital – The Eagles proved that the Boise School District could still play football, getting all the way to the State Championship Game.  On their way to that Title Game, they beat teams like the defending State Champs, Lake City, and offensive juggernaut, Vallivue.

Vallivue – I just heard somewhere that these guys were an offensive juggernaut.  Drew Wright led the way for the Falcons, rushing for about 2,400 yards… in 10 games!

Vale – The Vikings have one of the best football traditions in all of Oregon, and they’re good every year… so why didn’t I see them being good this year?  I can’t answer that.  But, I can tell you that after, once again, making it to the State Title Game, Vale will make it into my “11 Teams to Look Out For in 2008” Column.

Nampa – If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times… Defense wins Championships.  The Bulldogs came very close to doing just that in the 4A, losing a tough one in the Title Game.

Kimberly – An undefeated regular season, with their loss in the playoffs coming to the eventual State Champs… pretty good year for these Dogs, too.

Parma – A punishing defense and a methodically efficient offense helped the Panthers win 8 games this year.  But, they had a tough 1^st round matchup in the playoffs with Orofino.

Oakley – If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice in this column… Defense wins Championships.  The Hornets rode their dominating ‘D’ (which is saying something in the 1A) all the way to a Division One State Championship.

Carey – The Panthers had it all this year.  They recorded 6 shutouts, and scored more than 45 points nine times!  However, the revenge-minded Salmon River Savages derailed their run to a 2nd-straight State Title.

Salmon River – Why were they revenge-minded?  Carey beat them in the State Title Game last year.  The Savages didn’t have a whole lot of guys, but the players they did have, were absolute workhorses, and wouldn’t be denied a State Championship in 2007.

There you have it.  If anything, these columns prove that prep sports is so great, because it’s so unpredictable… Therefore, this year’s Prep Hoops Preview goes as follows…

Teams to Look Out For

… Every One