GRIDIRON GUESSES: Coeur d'Alene, Timberlake in playoffs — where have we seen that before?
By MARK NELKE
Sports editor
Getting to this point in a fall sports season affected by COVID-19 wasn't always a given.
But the Coeur d'Alene Vikings making another appearance in the state football playoffs was about as sure a thing as you could count on during this crazy year.
Coeur d'Alene (7-0), the top-ranked team in 5A by the state's media, opens vs. Timberline (3-3) of Boise tonight at 7 at Viking Field in the quarterfinals of the state 5A playoffs.
The Vikings are in the playoffs for the 12th straight year, and the 16th time overall under Shawn Amos, in his 24th season as Coeur d'Alene coach.
During that run since 2009, the Vikings have only lost in the quarterfinals three times — to Rocky Mountain (2014), Madison (2015) and Eagle (2016). They've bowed out in the semifinals just twice and reached the championship game six times, winning three.
Timberline only got into the playoffs thanks to Lake City's victory at Lewiston on the final week of the regular season, which kept Lewiston out of the playoffs.
Timberline, which opened in 1998, won 27-20 at Skyview of Nampa last week in the first round of the playoffs. It was just the Wolves' second playoff victory in program history.
Junior Taylor Marcum, playing with a cast on his left forearm to protect a broken wrist, ran for 226 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries for Timberline against Skyview.
As a sophomore, Marcum led the 5A Southern Idaho Conference with 1,117 rushing yards, and was a second-team all-Idaho selection.
Timberline's only other playoff win — last year, 19-7 at Post Falls in the first round.
Two weeks ago, Timberline lost 39-14 to Mountain View, a team that won 44-41 at Post Falls last week in the first round of the playoffs.
Tonight's Coeur d'Alene-Timberline winner will travel in the semifinals, to face the winner of tonight's game pitting Highland at Rocky Mountain.
On Saturday, another team used to the postseason, the Timberlake Tigers (4-3), travel to Homedale (6-1) for a 3A quarterfinal clash.
Timberlake is in the playoffs for the 17th time in the past 18 seasons.
And the Tigers are on the road for their playoff opener for the first time since 2008.
In past years Timberlake, by winning the Intermountain League, would play at home in its first playoff game. And sometimes, depending on how the predetermined bracket was set up, also played at home in the semifinals.
But four of the six state playoffs, including the 3A, are being seeded by MaxPreps rankings. And, despite its league title, Timberlake was seeded No. 8 in the quarterfinals, drawing a matchup at No. 1 Homedale.
Homedale has ended Timberlake's season each of the last two years in the semifinals.
As for the picks, Mark went 3-2 last week, Jason 2-3 on high school games, and both were 1-0 on college games (Boise State).
For the season, Jason is 30-13 on high school picks, 31-13 overall. Mark is 29-14 and 30-14.
HIGH SCHOOLS
State 5A quarterfinals
Timberline (3-3) at Coeur d’Alene (7-0)
Tonight, 7 p.m.
NELKE: Timberline might need more than a club tonight against Coeur d'Alene, which has clubbed pretty much everyone it has faced this season.
Coeur d'Alene, 34-14
ELLIOTT: Coeur d'Alene has found many ways to win games this year. This might be the most complete game the Vikings have played since the 2019 state 5A championship game.
Coeur d'Alene, 44-20
State 3A quarterfinals
Timberlake (4-3) at Homedale (6-1)
Saturday, noon
NELKE: After heavy graduation losses last year, winning the IML was an accomplishment in itself for a young Timberlake squad. Homedale won last year's game 51-6.
Homedale, 34-18
ELLIOTT: Timberlake's last couple of road trips haven't gone according to plan, but that was due to a accident on the Fourth of July Pass and a freak snowstorm. This time, it might have more to do with the game itself.
Homedale, 34-20
COLLEGES
Washington State (0-0) at Oregon State (0-0)
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., FS1
NELKE: Other than playing at home, WSU couldn't have asked for a more winnable Pac-12 opener, especially with a new coach and new starting QB.
WSU, 34-24
ELLIOTT: At least the Cougars get to play on Saturday.
Oregon State, 28-24
BYU (7-0) at Boise State (2-0)
Friday, 6:55 p.m., FS1
NELKE: BYU, ranked No. 9 in the COVID-19-induced FBS, is billed as the highest-ranked Boise State opponent ever to play on The Blue. That's nice ...
Boise State, 31-14
ELLIOTT: BSU is letting fans into Bronco Stadium tonight. Hopefully those that get to go get a show by whoever is starting for the Broncos at quarterback.
BYU, 27-24