Hillcrest dominates its way to the semifinals, beating Blackfoot 35-7

AMMON — Hillcrest quarterback Tyson Sweetwood dropped back to pass.

His offensive line had broken down. Two Blackfoot Broncos were on the pursuit. Sweetwood let the ball fly. It was only 20 yards to the endzone. Light work for the junior quarterback.

The Knights’ junior running back Dax Sargent stood in the endzone, not a single Bronco in his vicinity. He saw the ball coming his way, but it was too short. The ball slipped through his grasp and hit the turf.

The packed crowd let out a sigh. This was one of only two incomplete passes Sweetwood had on the night. The crowd’s sigh wasn’t one of disappointment or anxiety. Hillcrest was already up 14-0 over Blackfoot at the beginning of the second quarter. It was only a realization that Sweetwood wouldn’t post a perfect game — just a near-perfect one.

The Knights claimed victory, 35-7, Friday night at home over the Broncos, advancing to the 5A state semifinals. They move to 8-3 on the season.

Hillcrest dominated in its first playoff appearance this season with a decisive 35-0 win against Sandpoint last week. The Knights nearly repeated history under the stadium lights again this week, with Blackfoot scoring its sole touchdown with under a minute left in the game.

Their massive success — 70 points on the board in the last two games and only 7 points allowed — might be luck. They might just be peaking at the right time. Or it might just be good, clean football. At least, that’s what Hillcrest head coach Brennon Mossholder thinks it is.

“We try and make sure that we’re clean, and we execute in all three phases, offensively, defensively and special teams. I thought we did that tonight,” Mossholder said after the game. “The playoffs are a tricky beast because it’s win or go home. I think that in and of itself is a motivator.”

And execute they did.

Sweetwood completed 18-of-20 for 228 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard pass to junior wide receiver Mason Davis to make the score 35-0 to start the third quarter.

“Tyson, in my opinion, is one of the best quarterbacks in the state,” Mossholder said. “To do what he’s doing as a junior is pretty dang special. He’s such a great leader out there.”

Junior running back Titan Larsen ran for 114 yards and ended the game with two rushing touchdowns.

Mossholder poured relentless praise on the game’s dynamic duo.

“Titan’s been playing for us at the varsity level for three years now,” he said. “To do what he does offensively and defensively, he’s just invaluable to us. They are just two absolute leaders on the team, and I’m proud of how they played.”

Blackfoot posted only four first downs all night. The Knights caused the Broncos to punt six times and forced two interceptions.

Hillcrest walked out of that game with endless highlights on both sides of the ball. The glitz and glamour of Friday’s steamroll victory isn’t a distraction of the work that’s needed for the real goal, the real victory: a 5A state title.

“That’s what playoff football is all about,” Mossholder said. “We need to continue to play clean games, making sure that offense moves the ball consistently, defense is stout, plays clean and fundamental and special teams are solid.”

Mossholder wants clean football. Well Friday night, the Knights were spotless.

No. 2 Hillcrest moves on to the semifinals to host No. 3 Lakeland, who bested Vallivue, 28-21, Friday at home.

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