Gridiron Guesses: Back for another season of expert (?) analysis

Since high school fall sports are back, so are we.

For a fourth season, Mark and Jason will pick the winners of area high school football games, beginning with tonight's season openers.

In past years, we would predict the games for Idaho, Washington State, Boise State and Eastern Washington but, well, we'll wait and see if they indeed do play in the spring, as their fall seasons were all postponed.

We'll keep track throughout the season, and at the end of the season, whoever picks the most winners will be treated to their choice of a ribeye steak or prime rib from the Coeur d'Alene-area's finest steakhouse.

At least, that's what we've heard.

Mark won the first two seasons, and Jason won last year.

This season, Gridiron Guesses is being dedicated to Jack, Jason's beloved beagle, who passed away on June 7 at age 13. Once a year, Jack pinch-hit for Jason on Gridiron Guesses and, who knows, probably influenced many of his picks in other weeks as well.

R.I.P., Jack.

HIGH SCHOOLS

All games Friday at 7 p.m.

Lakeland at Lake City

NELKE: Lakeland probably should have won last year's matchup at Lake City, but the Timberwolves rallied late for the victory. This year, Lake City has a three-year starter at quarterback, as well as a plethora of skilled receivers, while Lakeland is breaking in several new starters at the skill positions.

Lake City, 34-21

ELLIOTT: Another year of experience for Lake City will pay off.

Lake City, 34-20

Post Falls at Sandpoint

NELKE: Post Falls has dominated this matchup in recent years, and that might be enough this year as well. The unknown is at quarterback, where three are vying for the job, and two of them are transfers. Sandpoint, meanwhile, should be highly motivated to break in its new artificial turf at Barlow Stadium in style.

Sandpoint, 26-22

ELLIOTT: Should be a close, high-scoring game tonight. If Post Falls can play fast?

Post Falls, 38-34

South Fremont at Timberlake

NELKE: South Fremont went 3-5 last year, while Timberlake made it to the state 3A semifinals. But graduation gutted the Tigers of much of that group, so we'll see if the old saying, "Tradition never graduates," is true.

Timberlake, 20-14

ELLIOTT: Since Timberlake didn't travel on a bus all day to play this game.

Timberlake, 27-20.

Mullan-St. Regis at Lakeside

NELKE: Mullan-St. Regis beat Lakeside in a Kansas tiebreaker last year for the lone playoff berth from the North Star League. Both teams return several key starters, and Lakeside is hoping to build on the success of its state title-winning boys basketball team. Whether that translates to football ...

Lakeside, 36-32

ELLIOTT: The funny thing about Jack was that he'd bark at everyone he met. Chances are he'd be barking at me for going against him on this one ...

Lakeside, 38-28