Vikings, T-Wolves open tonight
With new starters at seven of the 11 positions on offense and defense, Coeur d'Alene will find out what its newcomers are made of in a hurry tonight.
The 5A Vikings travel to Nampa to take on 4A Skyview tonight at 6 p.m. PDT at Hawks Stadium in the season opener for both teams.
Skyview finished 7-3 last year, losing to eventual champion Blackfoot in the quarterfinals of the state 4A playoffs.
Skyview returns three receivers in seniors Walker Ray, Lane Robbins and Kacy Bonds who combined for 132 catches and 22 touchdowns.
"Skyview's feeling good about themselves right now," Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said. "They were pretty close to making a run (in the state 4A playoffs) themselves. We'll get on a bus and head to the hot weather in Boise. I think we'll be ready to go and prepared for them. We'll use it as another good experience to get ready for the season."
Junior Gunnar Amos, Shawn's son, takes over as quarterback for Coeur d'Alene, the two-time defending state champions, who begin the season on a 21-game winning streak.
Lake City at Eagle: Lake City's season ended last year when the Timberwolves were trounced 58-7 by Eagle. Lake City returns to the scene of the carnage tonight, facing the Mustangs at 6 p.m. PDT at Thunder Stadium.
Given a choice between two Boise-area schools to open with tonight, Lake City coach Van Troxel opted to play Eagle again.
“When your last game on the field was with those guys, and you got your butts kicked, you’ve got something to prove,” Troxel said.
Eagle returns just four starters from last year’s team that lost to Coeur d’Alene in the state title game. Junior J.T. Williams takes over at quarterback for Tanner Mangum, who will play for BYU after serving a two-year mission for the LDS church.
St. Maries at Kellogg: The Lumberjacks travel to face their former Intermountain League foe Wildcats at Teeters Field in St. Maries’ first game since dropping from 3A to 2A.
Kootenai at Wallace: This North Star League matchup at Sather Field in Silverton features teams which advanced to the semifinals of their respective state playoffs last year. Kootenai lost to eventual state champion Lighthouse Christian in 1A Division II, and Wallace fell to Kendrick in 1A Division I.
The area’s four other teams open next week. Post Falls plays host to Graham-Kapowsin on Thursday. On Friday, Lakeland visits Lewiston, Timberlake is home vs. Riverside, St. Maries hosts Medical Lake and Lakeside travels to Kootenai.
Prep football
Tonight's Games
Coeur d'Alene at Skyview, 6 p.m.
Lake City at Eagle, 6
St. Maries at Kellogg, 7
Kootenai at Wallace, 7