THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Aug. 20, 2014

You never know where an email might take you.

In the case of a high school athletic director, it can be just for a game, or to set up something that might grow into a bit of a rivalry.

AS IF the summer of Timberlake High athletic director Tim Cronnelly wasn't busy enough, filling schedules for football, volleyball, boys soccer, girls soccer and cross country - along with a JV schedule for a few of those teams - the most relaxing time of the year might be actually when the games are being played.

Timberlake's football team will travel to Missoula on Saturday, Aug. 30 to face Frenchtown (Mont.) in the nightcap of a doubleheader at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on the campus of the University of Montana in what is being dubbed the "Hometown Pride Classic."

The Tigers and Broncos will kick off at 6 p.m. PDT.

"I just kind of sent out a bulk email (in June, looking for football games), and saw the opportunity was there," Cronnelly said. "Frenchtown is a good program, and we love going over there (to Missoula) for football camps, so our kids know that field really well. It's a big treat for us to do it there."

All three matchups in the Hometown Pride Classic pit Montana schools vs. Idaho schools. Hamilton will face Salmon the night before, with Timberlake's game preceded by Ronan vs. New Plymouth.

Marc Burr, general manager of the Billings Wolves Indoor League Football team, has been putting the games together in Missoula.

"I've gotten to know Marc through the process," Cronnelly said. "He's seen it done in other states, and wanted to bring it over there."

Cronnelly added that a game between Bozeman and Coeur d'Alene was discussed, but wasn't able to get scheduled.

With a schedule of nine games, and only three other teams in the Intermountain League, finding another six games gets tricky.

"Sometimes, I need to get creative," said Cronnelly, who scheduled a nonleague game against Asotin at the Kibbie Dome. "Most of that game (at the Kibbie Dome) was to get them to play us. It's been kind of a scramble, but it helps."

Timberlake's JV team will play at Frenchtown in an afternoon game next Saturday.

"It's going to be a good reward for our kids," Cronnelly said. "We've had a good run of football and we're starting to hear from some of the guys from the past about why they didn't get a chance to play in those games. Those guys have paved the way and did all the right things to get us where we're able to play in these games. The kids really appreciate these things, and don't take them for granted."

AFTER AN increased interest in the sport at the school over the last eight years, Timberlake will also field a boys soccer team for the first time in school history this fall. The Tigers are scheduled to open the season by hosting St. Maries on Monday.

"We've done a soccer survey for the last eight years, and finally we got good enough numbers to give it a shot," Cronnelly said. "We've had a lot that have signed up, and felt confident we can field a team."

They'll join Bonners Ferry, Priest River, St. Maries and Orofino in the 3A Intermountain/Central Idaho League made up of the District 1-2 teams.

As of Monday, the team had a turnout of 15 players.

"We've got enough to get started," Cronnelly said. "And it's not taking from our existing programs. Our school isn't that big, but so far, it's been good. They're excited and working hard, and we're getting some good athletes coming out that weren't playing any other fall sports before."

The team will play its home games on the football field - where the Tigers' girls soccer team plays its home games. Timberlake started a girls soccer program in 2008.

"It's a good setting," Cronnelly said. "We get a few games under the lights, and maybe that will help with getting more folks there. Playing some night games is a good thing overall."

Just getting to the games again, is a great thing.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter at JEPressSports.