Bishop Kelly beats Hillcrest in Idaho 4A football state championship game

It’s the first football state championship for Bishop Kelly since 2015

Bob Lundeberg | Nov 18, 2023

BOISE, IDAHO — Redemption was on the menu for Bishop Kelly Friday night at Albertsons Stadium.

After witnessing their perfect season unravel in last year’s final, the second-seeded Knights finished the job this time around by hanging on to defeat No. 1 Hillcrest, 29-26, in the Idaho Class 4A state championship game. A 27-yard Hillcrest field goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired, clinching Bishop Kelly’s eighth state title.

“This feeling is unexplainable,” said senior tailback Peter Minnaert, who ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns in the win. “People were doubting us throughout the season, but I believed we were the best team in the state. And more importantly, we believed we were the best team in the state. Tonight, we went out there and proved it.”

It’s the first state championship for Bishop Kelly (13-0) since 2015. The 4A Southern Idaho Conference power placed second in 2016, 2018 and 2022 under longtime coach Tim Brennan.

First-year head coach Chris Culig, who came to Bishop Kelly from Rocky Mountain, helped guide the Knights back to the top of the 4A mountain.

“We did it for those seniors last year,” said senior lineman Rakeem Johnson, an Oregon State commit. “It was a hard game, but we really persevered.”

Trailing 15-6 at halftime, Hillcrest (12-1) erupted in the second half behind backup quarterback Tyson Sweetwood. The sophomore threw a touchdown to Jace Judy and ran for a pair of scores, including a three-yarder that made it a 29-26 game with 8:05 remaining.

Bishop Kelly turned it over on downs on its next possession, and Hillcrest reached the red zone with one second remaining following two personal foul penalties — a sideline warning and unsportsmanlike conduct — on BK. Hillcrest opted to play for overtime, but the tying field goal attempt missed right.

“It was a great team win,” Minnaert said. “I’m just glad we came out on top.”

Minnaert scored from 21 yards out on the game’s third play and offensive lineman Phil Janquart ran in the two-point conversion for a quick 8-0 lead.

Hillcrest answered with a methodical 13-play touchdown drive that included a pair of fourth-down conversions. Peyton King finished off the lengthy march with a five-yard TD run late in the opening period.

The only points in the second quarter came when Sam Knell jumped an out route and raced 23 yards to the end zone for a pick-six.

Both teams scored four touchdowns on the night, but Hillcrest missed an extra-point and had a two-point try stopped. Bishop Kelly went 3 for 3 on PATs.

(All photos by Loren Orr)