The list of large-school football teams in Idaho who have won three straight state championships is ... nonexistent.

Coeur d'Alene (9-2) could become the first three-time state champion in 5A when it takes on Madison (11-0) of Rexburg in the title game tonight at 5 p.m. PST at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

"Any time you can make it (to a title game), it's something special," Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said. "You don't take these things for granted."

The core of the last two state title teams has graduated. This year, the Vikings' starting lineup on both sides of the ball consists largely of juniors.

"This group has grown more during the season than any group we've had," said Amos, in his 16th season as Vikings coach. "We knew we were going to be OK because we'd seen these guys play (growing up). We knew they were good, but we didn't know state title good."

Advancing this far in the playoffs is new for Madison, which last made the playoffs in 2005.

The Bobcats have run the spread since 2002.

“It’s hard to get the big, physical kids,” Madison coach Mitch Buck said. “We always have nice athletes; we compete well in other sports. We always feel like we’re going to be about 10 deep in the skill positions.”

Madison quarterback Logan Anderson, who has been offered a scholarship by Idaho State, has passed for 3,304 yards this season, with 32 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

Anderson is 6-foot-5, and also leads the Bobcats with 557 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

His receivers are also tall — 6-4 Logan Lee (68 catches, 1,053 yards, 12 TDs), running back Sam Baldwin (60 catches, 685 yards, 3 TDs), 6-1 Hayden Hastings (45 catches, 535 yards, 6 TDs), 6-6 tight end Jakob Wilson (43 catches, 539 yards, 3 TDs), 6-7 wide receiver Alan Anderson (21 catches, 359 yards, 7 TDs).

“It’s a good thing we’re not playing them in a basketball game,” Amos said with a laugh. “They’re not only tall, they’re good. We’ve got to get some hats on some people.”

“We’ve got some personalities in those key positions that are unique,” Buck said. “They are laid back, but they compete really well.”

“It’s the first time we’re going to want a team to run the ball,” Amos said.

Madison’s win over Lake City last week in the semifinals was its third shutout of the season. The Bobcats have given up more than 18 points in a game just twice — 24 in the opener to Pocatello, and 21 in a 24-21 win over Highland. Linebacker C.J. Erickson is Madison’s leading tackler.

Gunnar Amos, Coeur d’Alene’s junior quarterback, has passed for around 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He has also rushed for nearly 700 yards and 12 TDs. Reece Mahaffy has more than 800 rushing yards, with 11 TDs. Juniors Addison Johnson and Chase Blakley are the Vikings’ top receivers.

Buck said slowing down Coeur d’Alene’s running game is key.

“The thing that makes us a good defensive team is our quickness,” Buck said. “We have good team speed, and they love collisions.”

Coeur d’Alene has won four state titles. Madison has won five — most recently in 1995. The Bobcats won 3A titles in 1982, ’83 and ’84, and 4A titles in 1994 and ’95.

Coeur d’Alene has won six straight games after getting pounded by Skyline of Sammamish, Wash., and by Highland of Pocatello in successive weeks.

Call it an attitude adjustment of sorts.

“I think the loss to Highland really woke these guys up,” Amos said. “The players and coaches decided we were going to have to do things at a higher level. The investment in watching film, things like that, was greatly elevated. And you’re seeing the results now — we’re playing good football right now.”

Notes: Coeur d’Alene won the 1985 state A-1 Division I title at Holt Arena (then called the Minidome), beating Meridian 21-14. It capped a season where the Vikings started off 1-5 and finished with six straight wins. Justin Kane, father of current Coeur d’Alene free safety Brennen Kane, played on that Viking team. It was Coeur d’Alene’s second state title. The Vikings didn’t win another one until going back-to-back in 2010 and ’11. ... Coeur d’Alene planned to get a lot of practice on artificial turf this week in preparation for playing in a dome — also because their outdoor practice field has taken a beating. The Vikings practiced at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the team was scheduled to practice at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, and spend the night in Lewiston. Thursday, it was off to Boise and a practice in Boise State’s indoor facility. The team was slated to bus from Boise to Pocatello today. “We think it’s an advantage,” Amos said of traveling. “We’re going to be thinking, talking football, and they’re going to be sitting in math class.”