It’s rivalry week in the Boise area. Predictions for five big high school football games

A firefighter’s ax, a Nepalese sword and bragging rights are all on the line this weekend as some of the state’s top high school football rivalries kick off in the Treasure Valley.

We sized up five of the week’s top games and attempted to predict their winners below.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AT MOUNTAIN VIEW

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com

The 6A SIC’s front-loaded schedule continues with another powerhouse showdown, the seventh Battle of the Mountains rivalry game. Rocky Mountain leads the all-time series 10-8, including 4-2 in Battle of the Mountain contests. But Mountain View won three of the past four matchups with its crosstown rival.

Rocky Mountain enters the week as the state’s freshly minted No. 1-ranked team in the latest media poll. The Grizzlies (2-0), who have seven players holding Division I offers, have looked unstoppable through two weeks, triggering the running-clock mercy rule against Chiawana, Washington, last week in the first game at the Northwest Showdown.

Rocky Mountain quarterback Austin Rovig adds stability and a new dynamic to the Grizzlies. He’s thrown for 690 yards and seven TDs in two wins, putting up those numbers despite throwing just one pass after halftime last week. But the Grizzlies’ defense remains the most impressive unit so far, surrendering just 11 points and 152.5 yards per game in two vintage performances.

That defense will face its toughest test yet in Mountain View (1-1). The Mavericks brought back eight offensive starters and lit up the scoreboard in a 46-34 loss to Meridian last week. Junior quarterback Hank Nelson (471 yards, seven TDs) continues to grow in his second year under center. But the Mavericks’ defense still has a long way to go after giving up 500 yards last week.

Prediction: Rocky Mountain 28, Mountain View 14

CAPITAL VS. BORAH

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Thursday at Dona Larsen Park

Broadcast: Fan.Hudl.com

The most storied rivalry inside Boise city limits kicks off another chapter Thursday with Borah firmly in control, winning five of the past six matchups.

Quarterback Dylan Luekenga’s arm has powered the Lions (1-1) thus far. The senior threw for 468 yards and four TDs last week in a 35-14 rout of Vallivue. But Borah’s special teams units also continue to provide game-changing plays, blocking a punt each of the first two weeks.

Capital (0-2) remains snakebit early in the season, losing to Boise by three points and Owyhee by a touchdown. The Eagles likely would have lost both games by wide margins last season, marking signs of hope. Capital’s rebuild needs a spark, and this rivalry game provides the opportunity for one.

Prediction: Borah 27, Capital 22

BOISE VS. TIMBERLINE

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Dona Larsen Park

Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com

Anyone who predicted Boise and Timberline would both enter this matchup 2-0 ought to run out and buy some lottery tickets.

The Wolves have shown a flair for the dramatic so far, beating Borah on a walk-off field goal before edging Kuna 31-21 thanks in large part to a late blocked punt. Timberline is no longer the pushover that went 1-17 the past two seasons. Junior quarterback Jack Brant and junior receiver Hudson Lewis both field Big Sky offers and form one of the state’s most explosive duos.

Boise broke through last season, making the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and finishing with its best record since 1988. But the Brave spent all offseason hearing that was a fluke, even with Trevor Schoolfield, the league’s leading passer (2,240 yards, 22 TDs), returning.

Another win will continue to quiet those doubters.

Prediction: Boise 35, Timberline 22

MERIDIAN AT OWYHEE

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com

This game defies the week’s theme. Somehow, the two West Ada schools have yet to play each other. But their first matchup will serve as a measuring stick in the 6A SIC.

Owyhee (2-0) started the season with a 46-34 win against Mountain View. Poor air quality forced the Storm to play two games last week, routing Centennial on Monday before rallying and making a late stop in a 21-14 victory against Capital. This marks Owyhee’s return to a normal schedule.

Meridian (1-1) roared back to life offensively last week. Four-year starting quarterback Zeke Martinez finished with six total touchdowns and 362 yards of offense in the 46-34 win over Mountain View. Matching that pace again against Owyhee’s stout defense seems unlikely.

Prediction: Meridian 28, Owyhee 20

NAMPA AT COLUMBIA

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

Broadcast: Fan.Hudl.com

The two did not meet the past two seasons thanks to Nampa’s latest foray into the state’s top classification. But now the rivals meet again in a fitting conference opener.

Nampa (1-2) owns its crosstown foe, winning five in a row and posting an all-time record of 13-4 against Columbia. The Bulldogs look much improved after a winless season in 2023, falling a late field goal from tying Middleton and pushing Boise in a 25-15 loss last week.

Columbia (2-0) finished last in the 5A SIC’s preseason coaches’ poll but stands on the verge of its first 3-0 start since 2013. Sophomore quarterback Gavin Healy shined the first two weeks, completing 74% of his passes for 409 yards and five TDs. But he’ll face much stiffer competition Friday.

Prediction: Nampa 31, Columbia 20