Gridiron Guesses: Post Falls takes first shot at Coeur d'Alene

By MARK NELKE

and JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writers

The battle for second place in 5A Inland Empire League football this year has been considered a tossup between Post Falls, Lake City and Lewiston.

Coeur d'Alene is the prohibitive favorite.

So far, Post Falls owns a one-point win over Lewiston and a 21-point victory over Lake City, both in nonleague games.

Lewiston downed Lake City 58-50 in nonleague play.

Coeur d'Alene didn't play Lewiston in nonleague play, but the Vikings won 40-13 at Lake City last week.

Post Falls (3-1) travels to Coeur d'Alene (3-0) tonight at 7 in a nonleague game.

Next week, league play starts (COVID-19 willing) in the 5A IEL, 4A IEL and (3A) Intermountain League.

Post Falls had an unscheduled bye last week, when the Battle of the Prairie was canceled due to positive COVID tests at Lakeland.

For the second straight week, a game has been canceled due to COVID-19 — St. Maries' game vs. visiting Bonners Ferry was called off due to positive tests at St. Maries.

And, St. Maries's Central Idaho League opener at Grangeville on Oct. 9 is listed as postponed on the Lumberjacks' athletic website.

The other three scheduled games on the slate tonight are rematches — Lake City lost 20-15 at Sandpoint, Lakeland won 36-7 over Timberlake, and Lakeside fell 70-36 to Mullan-St. Regis.

As for the picks, Mark and Jason each went 2-1 last week, the lone blemish being Timberlake's win at St. Maries.

For the season, Jason is 12-6, Mark 10-8.

HIGH SCHOOL

All games Friday at 7 p.m. unless noted

Post Falls (3-1) at Coeur d'Alene (3-0)

NELKE: Coeur d'Alene has outscored its three opponents 143-20. This should be a little closer than that.

Coeur d'Alene, 42-20

ELLIOTT: Coeur d'Alene looked impressive last week in a win over Lake City. Maybe the wind won't blow as much tonight and both offenses can show their stuff ...

Coeur d'Alene, 44-36

Sandpoint (1-3) at Lake City (1-4)

NELKE: Lake City has lost four straight since beating Lakeland in its season opener. Sandpoint lost 24-6 at Lewiston last week — the 4A Bulldogs' fourth straight game vs. a 5A school.

Lake City, 24-20

ELLIOTT: If Lake City can sustain a fast start for four quarters tonight, the Timberwolves should be able to even the season series.

Lake City, 20-16

Lakeland (2-2) at Timberlake (1-2):

NELKE: After last week's COVID-induced bye, the Hawks look to continue the momentum from their 39-24 manhandling of Lewiston two weeks ago in the Kibbie Dome.

Lakeland, 34-20

ELLIOTT: Timberlake keeps it close, but Lakeland might have a little too much offense.

Lakeland, 44-36

Lakeside (3-1) at Mullan-St. Regis (4-1):

Friday, 3 p.m. at Mullan

NELKE: If the teams score at the same clip as in the first meeting, it could be a race to darkness at John Drager Field.

Mullan-St. Regis, 64-52

ELLIOTT: I've seen some of those games that end in the twilight at John Drager Field. Mark's probably right on this outcome in some respects.

Lakeside, 44-40