After three quarters, it looked like the Badgers were on their way to the next round of the state playoffs. However, American Falls outscored Bonners Ferry 14-0 in the game’s last twelve minutes to win 28-21.  

American Falls is a nine hour and 600 mile drive from Bonners Ferry.

"I'm just really proud of the way the kids travelled, the way they played and the way they executed for the most part," Coach Danny Swift said.

After two American Falls touchdowns in the first quarter, senior Keenan Maas ran for a short touchdown in the second quarter from the wildcat formation. Conrad Hiatt caught a wide-open pass from junior quarterback Alex Stolley for an 11-yard touchdown to give the Badgers a 14-13 lead at halftime.    

In the third quarter, senior Sulay Abubakari made a fine contested catch for a three-yard touchdown to give the Badgers an eight-point lead.  

In the fourth quarter, a pick six with a two-point conversion and a quarterback scramble led American Falls to a dramatic ending, knocking the Badgers out of the playoffs.  

The loss ended a five-game winning streak for Bonners Ferry. The 28 points were the most given up since September 12, while the 21 points were the fewest scored by the Badgers since late August.  

Stolley finished the game with eight completions from 19 pass attempts, throwing for 143 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Maas ran for 91 yards and a touchdown, fumbling once as well. Senior Conrad Hiatt ran for 34 yards and caught two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.  

Senior Daric Vincent, Hiatt, senior James Morgen and junior Jake Solt each had a tackle for a loss. Vincent had Bonners Ferry’s only sack of the game.  

Bonners Ferry held American Falls’s quarterback to just 33 yards passing, but they rushed for 245 yards rushing and two touchdowns combined. 

Coach Swift was complimentary of American Falls.

"They're a great football team, there's a reason they're ranked fifth in the state," Swift said.

The Badgers finish the season with a 7-3 record, their best since 2022. They scored 348 points, only giving up 217.  

Seniors Sulay Abubakari, Conrad Hiatt, Spiro Petras, Ronin Hansen, Keenan Maas, Daric Vincent, Giovanni Faraoni, Rocky Monroe, Kai Aitken and James Morgen have played their last game for Bonners Ferry High School football.