In their march to the state championship last year, the Coeur d'Alene Vikings needed a blocked punt with less than three minutes left to set up the go-ahead touchdown in a victory over previously undefeated Capital of Boise in the state 5A semifinals.

This year, Coeur d'Alene (10-0) is the undefeated team, playing host to Capital (8-2) tonight at 7 in the state semifinals at Viking Field.

"It's kind of a role reversal from last year," Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said. "We were the underdog, we had to travel down there last year. I'm sure they're excited to get another shot at us. We were fortunate to get out of there with a win last year."

This year's winner will play either Eagle (9-1) or Highland (10-0) of Pocatello, who play tonight at Eagle in the other semifinal, in the state title game next week.

Capital coach Todd Simis said the “revenge” word has not come up from last year’s loss.

“We have tried to take inspiration from the way the Vikings played last year and handled their trip down here,” he said. “If we can play like they did, it will be a good game. That loss was incredibly painful. It has helped us get back here from a motivation standpoint but it was never directed at Coeur d’Alene.”

Capital is quarterbacked this year by junior Makena Simis, the son of the coach. He has passed for 1,579 yards and 11 touchdowns. Denis Popudnik has rushed for 17 touchdowns. The Eagles have won eight straight after opening their season with losses to Centennial (35-28) and Eagle (42-39).

“Capital is huge up front offensively, that’s going to be a challenge for us,” Amos said.

Coeur d’Alene moved into the USA Today Super 25 rankings this week at No. 25, and is ranked seventh in the West.

Viking quarterback Chad Chalich, who last week was named a state finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman award, earlier this week was offered a full-ride scholarship by the University of Idaho. Montana is also interested, as are Boise State and Utah, which have invited him to walk on.

Chalich has passed for 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns, with two interceptions.

Simis praised Coeur d’Alene’s defense, saying “they are very active and don’t get blocked. He heaped similar praise on the Viking offense, adding, “we will have to play our best game of the year to beat them.”

Mountain View lost 27-14 at Coeur d’Alene last week in the first round of the state playoffs, and fell 19-7 to Capital in the third week of season.

“That’ll be two different versions of the spread,” Mountain View coach Judd Benedick said. “One (Capital) will run the ball quite a bit more, and one will spread you out and throw the ball. Capital plays good defense too, but they’ve got quite a task ahead of them to slow down this group ... anybody does.”

Kootenai (5-5) at Lighthouse Christian (7-3): The Lions, located in Twin Falls, will be hosting a playoff game for the first time in school history — and they needed a favor to do it.

Lighthouse Christian’s field lacked suitable shower facilities for the visiting team, but Twin Falls High offered to let Kootenai use its showers after the game.

Of bigger concern to Warrior coach Doug Napierala is the size and passing ability of the Lions.

“I don’t have overly big kids,” Napierala said. “I’d much rather see run (from Lighthouse Christian) than pass.”

Kootenai is in the semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons, and in the playoffs for the sixth straight year. Kootenai last made the semis in 2009, and this year’s seniors were freshmen when the Warriors advanced to the state title game in 2008.

“Our seniors have had some success and some playoff experience,” Napierala said.