Gridiron Guesses: Coeur d'Alene makes its debut tonight
By MARK NELKE
and JASON ELLIOTT
Sports writers
After an absence of nearly a decade, one of the oldest high school football rivalries in the state resumes tonight.
Coeur d'Alene, last year's state 5A runner-up, opens its season tonight, playing host to Sandpoint (0-1).
The schools used to play every year, for as far back as anyone can remember. But this will be the teams' first meeting since 2011, when Coeur d'Alene won 88-12 at Sandpoint.
The teams weren't originally scheduled to play this year, but this game was added when Washington pushed back its prep football season to the spring, and North Idaho teams needed replacement games.
Coeur d'Alene High athletic director Mike Randles said a matchup with Sandpoint had been discussed in the offseason, but a date couldn't be found that worked for both schools.
Before the series was stopped, Coeur d'Alene had won the last three matchups with Sandpoint, and 8 of 10 since 2002.
Two of the other three games tonight were also added recently, after Washington's decision — Lewiston at Lake City in a nonleague game between 5A Inland Empire League foes, and Timberlake at Lakeland.
Lake City will travel to Lewiston Oct. 23 in the league and regular-season finale. Lakeland and Timberlake will play their already-scheduled game Oct. 2 at Spirit Lake.
The only matchup tonight from the original schedule pits Rigby, the defending 5A state champions, at Post Falls.
On Saturday, Lakeside plays Lewis County at Nezperce.
As for last week, masks must have affected our ability to pick games.
At least, that's our story, and we're sticking to it.
Mark went 1-3 on his picks, and Jason "won" the week by going 2-2. Both picked Lake City to beat Lakeland, and Jason had Post Falls beating Sandpoint.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Sandpoint (0-1) at Coeur d'Alene (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
NELKE: The Vikings, with several starters back from last year, will be itching to get going.
Coeur d'Alene, 42-14
ELLIOTT: Sandpoint had its moments last week against Post Falls. But Coeur d'Alene likes to play really fast.
Coeur d'Alene, 49-14
Lewiston (1-0) at Lake City (1-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
NELKE: How do you approach a game against a league foe that doesn't count in the league standings? Do you save the "good stuff" for the league meeting? Or do you realize, especially this year, that nothing is guaranteed past this week?
Lake City, 36-34
ELLIOTT: The last time these two teams met, Lake City got it rolling on offense with a backup quarterback. Since the starter is back now ...
Lake City, 38-28
Rigby (1-0) at Post Falls (1-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
NELKE: Rigby, which lost several key seniors from last year's title team, was presumed to be taking a step back this season — but opened with a 51-0 victory over Box Elder (Utah) last week. Of course, folks might have thought the same thing of Post Falls.
Rigby, 35-28
ELLIOTT: If Post Falls can run the ball this week, it could be a close game at Trojan Stadium.
Post Falls, 35-34
Timberlake (0-1) at Lakeland (0-1)
Friday, 7 p.m.
NELKE: Lakeland has won 8 of the last 10 matchups with its in-district rival. Timberlake triumphed 27-14 last year, but lost several key players from that squad.
Lakeland, 27-14
ELLIOTT: Lakeland might have a few more weapons at this point in the season than Timberlake. Could be a lot different when they're scheduled to meet again in early October.
Lakeland, 28-20
Saturday
Lakeside (0-1) at Lewis County (1-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
NELKE: Lewis County beat the Prairie JV 44-28 last week. Lakeside beat Lewis County 24-14 last year in Plummer.
Lakeside, 36-32
ELLIOTT: Lakeside bounces back from a setback last Friday at home.
Lakeside, 44-34