League play begins in IEL, IML
Two years ago, Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston played an epic high school football game in Lewiston to open 5A Inland Empire League play, with the host Bengals prevailing 55-51.
Lewiston went on to win the league, leaving Coeur d’Alene to hit the road for the playoffs.
On Friday, Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston meet again in the league opener at Bengal Field — this being the first week of the three-week league schedule in the four-team league.
In the other league opener Friday, Post Falls travels to Lake City.
In the three-team 4A Inland Empire League, Sandpoint plays host to Moscow in the lone league game. Lakeland plays a nonleague game at West Valley, then hosts Sandpoint next Friday and travels to Moscow the following week.
Intermountain League play also begins this Friday, with Timberlake at Priest River and Bonners Ferry at defending IML champion Kellogg.
As for the picks, Kenzie and Bella helped me go 9-0 last week, and Jason, with help from Jack, went 8-1.
Good dogs.
The only miss was Jason/Jack picking Timberlake to beat Lakeland.
For the season, I am 42-13 overall, Jason is 39-16
HIGH SCHOOL
All games Friday at 7 p.m.
Coeur d’Alene (5-0) at Lewiston (5-1)
NELKE: Lewiston has lost just once this season, but has not played the nonleague schedule Coeur d’Alene has. Still, the Bengals are tough to beat at home.
Coeur d’Alene, 55-31
ELLIOTT: Coeur d’Alene had an extra week to prepare for this league opener, which could go a long way into deciding things in the 5A IEL.
Coeur d’Alene, 28-24
Post Falls (2-3) at Lake City (3-3)
NELKE: Meanwhile, the de facto undercard between two young, but improving teams should be quite entertaining. Both have beaten Sandpoint and Lakeland, with Post Falls winning by 27 and 19 points, Lake City winning by 6 and 13 points. Take that for what it’s worth.
Post Falls, 24-22
ELLIOTT: A team can learn a lot of things about itself by winning a double overtime game, just like Lake City did last week against Sandpoint. Meanwhile Post Falls has had a week to prepare for this one.
Post Falls, 28-24
Lakeland (3-2) at West Valley (4-1)
NELKE: West Valley boasts wins over North Central, Othello, Eastmont and Clarkston this season, and lost by two to Shadle Park. Lakeland played 5A schools Lake City and Post Falls tough. Take that for what it’s worth.
Lakeland, 27-22
ELLIOTT: Lakeland has played a couple of rivalry games in recent weeks gearing up for 4A Inland Empire League play. They take another step forward this Friday.
Lakeland, 28-20
Timberlake (3-3) at Priest River (2-3)
NELKE: After a rare season not dominating the Intermountain League last year, Timberlake begins its payback tour this week — though the Spartans might be the Tigers’ toughest test in league this year.
Timberlake, 26-20
ELLIOTT: Priest River keeps it close, but Timberlake has a little more experience in its favor.
Timberlake, 34-20
St. Maries (5-1) at Grangeville (6-0)
NELKE: This might be one of the best games in the area this weekend. No matter Friday’s result, both teams figure to qualify for the state 2A playoffs.
Grangeville, 28-24
ELLIOTT: St. Maries knocked off Grangeville two years ago in Grangeville on the way to a state 2A championship.
St. Maries, 20-14
Kootenai (4-1, 1-1 White Star League) at Deary (3-1, 2-0)
NELKE: If nothing else, Kootenai should be pretty well-rested, after playing less than a quarter last week before Timberline had to forfeit their 6-man game due to injuries. Kootenai has one-sided wins over Troy, Wallace and Lakeside, but Deary is considered the second-best team in the league.
Deary, 40-34
ELLIOTT: There could be a little chaos in the White Star League if Kootenai wins this game. We love chaos.
Kootenai, 38-34
Clark Fork (4-2) at Lakeside (1-5)
NELKE: With each team short on games, the Wampus Cats and Knights added this one as a nonleague game. Clark Fork beat Lakeside 42-8 in their White Star League meeting a month ago.
Clark Fork, 42-8
ELLIOTT: Clark Fork has some big wins under its belt this year, with the goal of the playoffs still within reach. Lakeside is still building toward that same goal.
Clark Fork, 45-14
COLLEGE
Washington State (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) at Oregon State (1-4, 0-2)
Saturday, 6 p.m.
NELKE: There was a time a few years ago when Oregon State was actually better than WSU. That time is not now, though the Beavers are getting better.
WSU, 42-21
ELLIOTT: Washington State didn’t have a yard rushing last week against Utah at home. They might not be balanced again this week, but it won’t matter.
WSU, 38-17
Idaho (2-2, 1-1 Big Sky) at Idaho State (3-1, 2-0)
Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
NELKE: A few weeks/months ago, I wouldn’t have thought this was possible. But ISU, perennial doormats in the Big Sky, are scoring points and pulling off big wins so far this season. There might be a feast at Buddy’s in Pocatello after this one.
ISU, 42-35
ELLIOTT: You’d think I’ve learned my lesson picking the Vandals in big games like this. This is why a lot of my teachers — and boss at times — wonder about me.
Idaho, 38-35
San Diego State (3-1) at Boise State (3-1, 1-0 Mountain West)
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
NELKE: San Diego State handed Herm Edwards and Arizona State their first loss a couple weeks ago. Boise State is 3-2 vs. the Aztecs since joining the Mountain West in 2011.
BSU, 35-17
ELLIOTT: A rare afternoon game in Boise should favor the Broncos, right?
BSU, 38-20
Southern Utah (0-4, 0-1 Big Sky) at Eastern Washington (4-1, 2-0)
Saturday, noon
NELKE: Two of the Thunderbirds’ losses have been to Pac-12 foes (Oregon State and Arizona), so their record is a little deceiving. Southern Utah is coming off a bye after losing 31-23 to Northern Arizona. Still ...
EWU, 48-20
ELLIOTT: Eastern Washington looked pretty impressive last week in Bozeman. Now that they’re home.
EWU, 44-20