Gridiron Guesses: COVID claims its first game

By MARK NELKE

and JASON ELLIOTT

sports writers

Tonight's Post Falls at Lakeland football game has become the first football game in District 1 canceled following a positive test for COVID-19.

Lakeland canceled the game, following a positive test within its school earlier this week. Contact tracing involved members of the football program.

Lakeland High principal Trent Derrick said the football team won't be required to quarantine, and the cancellation shouldn't affect the Hawks' next couple of games. Lakeland is scheduled to play host to Timberlake on Oct. 2, then travel to Moscow on Oct. 9 in the 4A Inland Empire League opener.

Post Falls is 3-1, Lakeland 2-2 after an impressive win over Lewiston last week at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

Three area games are still on the slate tonight.

Coeur d'Alene travels to Lake City in a nonleague game between 5A Inland Empire League schools, and Timberlake travels to St. Maries.

Meanwhile, in Plummer, Wallace takes on Lakeside in the first Scenic Idaho Conference football game. The SIC was formed just this year when Genesis Prep and Lakeside moved up to 1A Division I, joining Wallace.

As for the picks, Mark and Jason each went 2-1 last week, both missing on Lakeland's victory over Lewiston. For the season, Jason is 10-6, Mark 8-8.

HIGH SCHOOLS

All games tonight at 7 p.m.

Coeur d'Alene (2-0) at Lake City (1-3)

NELKE: The Vikings have already had two byes in the first four weeks. When they've gotten onto the field, they've been impressive, outscoring two 4A foes by a combined 103-7.

Coeur d'Alene, 48-20

ELLIOTT: These teams will meet in league play in a few weeks. While both might hold some of the good stuff back for now, Coeur d'Alene might just be really good.

Coeur d'Alene, 55-17

Timberlake (0-2) at St. Maries (1-0)

NELKE: Timberlake hasn't played since Sept. 4. Its Sept. 11 tilt vs. Moscow was scrapped because the Bears were still in intramural mode, and last week's game vs. the Coeur d'Alene JV was canceled due to poor air quality. St. Maries got a late start practicing due to COVID concerns, but opened last week with a 52-6 win at Priest River.

St. Maries, 30-20

ELLIOTT: It might be tough to get back in game shape after having three weeks off.

St. Maries, 35-22

Wallace (0-2) at Lakeside (2-1)

NELKE: Lakeside is averaging 44 points per game. Wallace has been outscored 114-28 in its two games.

Lakeside, 42-28

ELLIOTT: Lakeside seems like it has things rolling in the right direction.

Lakeside, 48-14