Highland Defeats Thunder Ridge in Football Shutout
The Highland football team secured a dominant 38-0 victory over Thunder Ridge in Pocatello.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football
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Highland cruised to a 38-0 win against Thunder Ridge, leveraging multiple opponent turnovers to control the game. The victory keeps Highland in a strong position as teams look toward potential playoff berths.
Why it matters
The result is critical for state rankings and postseason positioning as high school teams rely on MaxPreps standings for at-large playoff slots. With conference standings finalized, schools are now waiting to see how the final rankings influence their paths to the state tournament.
Highland won with a 38-0 final score, marking a decisive 38-point margin of victory. The game saw Easton Almond, Cedric Mitchell, and Kellen Tingey each record touchdowns during the first half.
The players
Highland
Highland is a high school football program that entered the week ranked #6 in the state by MaxPreps.
Thunder Ridge
Thunder Ridge is a high school football team that held an #11 ranking on MaxPreps prior to their loss.
Easton Almond
Easton Almond is a football player for Highland who scored the opening touchdown of the game.
Cedric Mitchell
Cedric Mitchell is a player for Highland who contributed a touchdown during the first half.
Kellen Tingey
Kellen Tingey is a member of the Highland football team who scored a touchdown in the first half.
The details
Highland established an early lead by scoring three touchdowns in the first half to put the game out of reach. The defense effectively utilized turnovers committed by the Thunder Ridge offense to maintain their shutout throughout the contest.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: Thunder Ridge defeated Madison by a final score of 21-20.
October 23, 2026: Highland defeated Thunder Ridge 38-0 in Pocatello.
Season Trajectory
This victory strengthens the playoff prospects for Highland, while Thunder Ridge must now wait for the final rankings to determine their postseason eligibility. The outcome settles the regional hierarchy after Madison secured the second automatic bid via a tiebreaker.
The 38-0 final score significantly bolsters the power ranking metrics for Highland as they head into the final playoff selection process. Conversely, Thunder Ridge loses ground in the MaxPreps poll, making their at-large tournament hopes dependent on the final rankings of teams like Kuna and Capital.
The takeaway
Maintaining a strong defensive performance and securing turnover opportunities proved decisive in this conference matchup. Teams looking to secure a playoff spot must continue to prioritize these statistical benchmarks as the postseason approaches.
Further reading
For more updates on local high school programs, visit the Football section.
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