I select athletes from each sport on a weekly basis and post them here Monday. Because the football playoffs are in progress, I selected two football players along with our first girls basketball player this season. We also have a cross country runner from last week's regional meet. Please e-mail me your nominations at jzentz@idahostatesman.com.

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FOOTBALL

Dillon Lukehart, Eagle: In snowy conditions, the running back took over for the Mustangs with 24 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns in a 5A state semifinal victory, 25-21, at Coeur d'Alene on Friday. The victory sends Eagle to the state championship game for the second consecutive season. The Mustangs are 21-2 over the past two seasons. Eagle (10-1) meets Capital (11-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Bronco Stadium in the championship game.

Charlie McMartin, Capital: The senior had 18 carries for 154 yards and scored all five of Capital's TDs on runs of 12, 5, 24, 1 and 33 yards in a 38-3 victory against Highland in the 5A state semifinals. Capital (11-0) finished the game with 336 rushing yards and meets Eagle (10-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Bronco Stadium in the championship game. Capital hasn't won a state title since 1991, but finished second in 2007.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Dakota Barrie, Mountain Home: The junior played a starring role in 4A Mountain Home's two victories against 5A foes last week. In a 35-33 victory against Mountain View on Friday, she led the team with 11 points and added two assists. On Saturday, she scored nine points, pulled down 10 rebounds and added four assists in a 36-27 victory against Timberline.

CROSS COUNTRY

Emily Nist, Bishop Kelly: The sophomore won the Nike Cross Nationals Northwest Regional at Eagle Island State Park on Saturday with a course record of 17 minutes 57.4 seconds. The victory paced the Knights to second place, automatically qualifying the team for Nike Cross Nationals on Dec. 5 in Portland. Nist is a two-time defending 4A state champion in cross country, and will enter the 2010 track and field season as the defending 4A state champion at 1,600 and 3,200 meters.