THE FRONT ROW WITH MARK NELKE, October 17, 2013
Whereas last week there wasn't a high school football game within 40 miles of Coeur d'Alene, this week there's prep games to choose from within about a 15-mile radius.
Coeur d'Alene (3-3) at home vs. Skyline (2-5) of Idaho Falls.
Lake City (4-2) at home vs. Chiawana (6-0) of Pasco, Wash. Chiawana was ranked third in the state last week in class 4A, Washington's biggest classification.
Post Falls (4-3) at home vs. Richland (5-1), also from the Tri-Cities.
Lakeland (2-4) at home vs. in-district rival Timberlake (4-2).
At first glance, the Chiawana-Lake City game shapes up as the game of the night. But the Richland-Post Falls game could be pretty good as well, and the Lakeland-Timberlake game is usually a nail-biter.
And if you're looking for points, Coeur d'Alene is averaging 54 points over its last two games - and that's with easing up in the second half of both tilts.
All games are scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.
FRUITLAND, a 3A power in football in the Boise area for years, rarely loses during the regular season. Or at home.
The Grizzlies, a seemingly annual opponent of Timberlake in the state playoffs, suffered a stunning 34-12 loss at home to Homedale last Friday in Snake River Valley play.
Fruitland (6-1, 2-1 SRV) won the last seven league titles, but Homedale (5-1, 3-0) has the upper hand on this year's title.
Homedale forced six Fruitland turnovers, and scored two defensive touchdowns. It was the Grizzlies' first conference loss since 2009.
So what does this mean for Timberlake?
If the Tigers win the Intermountain League again, they would host a first-round playoff game - and their opponent could be Fruitland, if the Grizzlies finish second in the SRV, and beats the District IV runner-up in a state play-in game. And if Timberlake wins that game, they would host a semifinal game, possibly against ... Homedale.
WHICH LEADS us to ... sites for state football title games in Idaho. In general, title games are played a either the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Bronco Stadium in Boise or Holt Arena in Pocatello, based on where the teams in the title game are from, and where the game was played the past couple of years.
If Timberlake reached the state 3A title game, the Tigers would play at the Kibbie Dome - no matter the opponent. It's been years since a 3A team from the North played for a state title.
If the 5A Inland Empire League winner reaches the title game, it would also be at the Kibbie Dome, regardless of foe. That's because last year Coeur d'Alene traveled to Pocatello for the title game (to play Highland), and the year before, the Vikings traveled to Boise (to play Eagle).
The 4A IEL champ (Lakeland, Sandpoint or Moscow) would play at the Kibbie Dome if the opponent was from the Boise area, or would travel to Pocatello if the foe was from eastern Idaho.
In 2A, Grangeville, St. Maries or Orofino would play a title game at the Kibbie Dome, no matter the opponent.
In 1A Division I, Wallace (or if it was a team from District 2) would have to travel for a title game - to Boise if the opponent was from the Boise area, or to Pocatello if the foe was from eastern Idaho.
In 1A Division II, the North Idaho team would play at Holt Arena if the opponent was from eastern Idaho.
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at CdAPressSports.