Another big one between big programs

While the schools might be separated by 527 miles, the rivalry on the football field between Highland High of Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene has been a rather entertaining one in recent years.

Friday night at Viking Field will deliver the next chapter, and first of what could very well be two matchups between the programs in 2018.

IT WASN’T long after last Friday’s win over Eisenhower of Yakima that Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos had began preparing for the Rams, who beat the Vikings 14-8 in the 2017 state 5A title game at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

In fact, it was a mere minutes later.

“We’ve looked,” said Amos of watching film on Highland this year. “They’re the No. 1 team in the state for a reason. It’s going to be a great matchup for us.”

Coeur d’Alene has already beaten Rigby, Gonzaga Prep and Mead this year. Highland will play Rigby on Oct. 19.

“To come out of our preseason 4-0 is pretty good,” Amos said. “It’s exciting to play great teams like that. We’re excited for this game. We’ve played Highland in a lot of different places, and it’s always a battle. They’ll travel well and know what they’re doing. It’s going to be a battle and good measuring stick to see where we’re at right now.”

Should a 5A team from the north advance to the state title game this year — Coeur d’Alene, or any other Region 1 school — that title game will be held at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

So there’s still a ton to play for, win or lose this weekend.

“We’ve got to work hard in practice this week to get the job done,” Coeur d’Alene junior wide receiver/defensive back Colbey Nosworthy said. “It doesn’t change things that the game (against Highland) is here. We’ve just got to work hard in practice and get the job done.”

CHANCES ARE that those fans attending the nonleague game between Timberline of Weippe and Lakeside might have found themselves just as tired as the players in the game.

And with good reason.

Due to low numbers at Timberline, the game was played as a 6-man game, with Lakeside beating Timberline 47-34 in Plummer.

“It was a good team effort,” Lakeside coach Chris Dohrman said. “With 6-man, it gives linemen a chance to do something they normally don’t get a chance to do. In 8-man, they’re not usually a part of the gameplan, but with 6-man, they can and get the chance to catch passes.”

With 6-man, games are played on an 80-by-40-yard field. The teams combined for 766 total yards.

Lazarus Iron Cloud, who started the season as a lineman and moved to quarterback when the starter there was injured, had 201 yards passing with three touchdowns and Jayson Hall 78 yards receiving for Lakeside.

“Laz had a great game, and so did Jayson,” Dohrman said. “We had some good success out of our backups. The kids played really well and did a great job adjusting. It was a lot of fun to watch.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.