"We can. We will. We must." It's the mantra of Twin Falls football, but the Pocatello Indians, a 4-0 Class 4A power in the Great Basin Conference East, come to town tonight. Another Bruin loss may have some turning the phrase on its ear.

Can they? Will they? Must they? The answer to the first question is subjective, while the answer to the second question is unknowable until late tonight. The third answer is without doubt: Yes, they must win.

"We're in dire need of a couple of wins. We've got some kids, honestly, that are starting to question things. Kids that are working hard since the summer hadn't had a payoff yet," Bruins coach Allyn Reynolds said. "It's like working for free, is what it is. And none of us like to work for free. Wins in football are like payments."

The Indians cashed the last two checks with victories against the Bruins in 2006 and 2007.

The Bruins (1-3, 1-1 Region Four-Five-Six) will follow up next week with a nonconference match against the Jerome Tigers before resuming regional play. With games left with Skyline and Idaho Falls, a 3-1 regional record and Class 5A state berth is not out of the question.

"We don't want to just make the playoffs," Reynolds said. "We want to go deep in the playoffs, but you have to get there first."

Filer at Buhl

The Buhl Indians and Filer Wildcats resume their rivalry Thursday, and a victory would put the Indians at 2-0 in the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference. Running back Eric Sengvanhpheng has torn through 3A and most 4A competition this season, recording 10 touchdowns for Buhl.

While Filer quarterback Nathan Hughes has had some success scoring, the Wildcats are winless on the season.

Raft River at Shoshone

The Raft River Trojans can improve to 3-1 in the Snake River Conference with a win over the Indians and cement their place as one of the three best teams in the league. The only problem: Oakley or Hagerman must drop a game or two during the regular season for the Trojans to contend for one of two Class 1A Division I state playoff berths later this month.

Bradley Guire may be reached at 208-735-3229 or bguire@magicvalley.com.

Prep football Today's games Pocatello (4-0, 1-0 Great Basin Conference East) at Twin Falls (1-3, 1-1 Region Four-Five-Six), 7 p.m. Filer (0-5, 0-1 Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference) at Buhl (3-1, 1-0 SCIC), 7 p.m. Kimberly (2-2, 0-0 SCIC) at Gooding (1-3, 0-1 SCIC), 7 p.m. Raft River (3-1, 2-1 Snake River Conference) at Shoshone (2-3, 1-3 SRC), 7 p.m. Friday's games Wood River (1-3, 0-0 Great Basin Conference West) at Burley (0-5, 0-2 GBW), 7 p.m. Wendell (4-0, 1-0 SCIC) at Declo (2-2, 0-0 Canyon Conference), 7 p.m. Grace (0-4, 0-1 Southeastern Idaho Conference) at Valley (0-4, 0-0 CC), 7 p.m. Hansen (2-3, 1-3 SRC) at Castleford (2-2, 2-1 SRC), 7 p.m. Challis (1-4, 1-3 SRC) at Oakley (4-0, 3-0 SRC), 7 p.m. Lighthouse Christian (2-3, 2-2 SRC) at Sho-Ban (0-3, 0-3 SRC), 7 p.m. Byes:Carey, Glenns Ferry, Hagerman, Jerome, Minico