Gridiron Guesses: Post Falls the lone home team this week

By MARK NELKE

and JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writers

There is just one high school football game scheduled in Kootenai County this week.

That would be on Friday, when the Post Falls Trojans play host to Sunnyside (Wash.), the Grizzlies making the 208-mile trek to North Idaho.

Coeur d’Alene (1-2), which opened a week before most teams in the state, is idle this week, then plays at Lakeland next week.

Lake City, which played at home its first two weeks, takes on 4A Emmett in a meet-you-halfway game in Baker City, Ore., on Friday night.

Next week, Lake City will honor its 2002 state 4A football championship team when the Timberwolves host Bishop Kelly of Boise next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Lakeland (3-0) plays its second Thursday night game in as many weeks, this time at West Valley in Millwood, Wash.

Kootenai (0-2) has forfeited Friday’s North Star League game at Mullan/St. Regis (1-1) due to a shortage of players. The Warriors finished with seven in last week’s 78-0 loss to Deary in eight-man play. Mullan/St. Regis will now play host to Deary on Friday in Mullan.

With an eye on its MaxPreps rankings, 3A Timberlake plays another nonconference game vs. a 3A foe from another part of the state. This time, the Tigers play at McCall-Donnelly. Timberlake opened its season with a 16-12 loss to eastern Idaho 3A squad South Fremont.

Last week, Jason went 8-0, Mark 7-1. For the season, both are 13-3.

THURSDAY’S GAME

Lakeland (3-0) at West Valley (1-0), 7 p.m.

NELKE: West Valley opened with a 27-7 victory over Freeman. Lakeland beat West Valley 42-13 last year in Rathdrum.

Lakeland, 35-20

ELLIOTT: Lakeland has things rolling this year with two running backs that can break a play open almost anytime they touch the ball.

Lakeland, 42-13

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Emmett (1-1) vs. Lake City (1-1) at Baker City, Ore., 7 p.m.

NELKE: Lake City found some offense last week in its victory over Canadian Football League foe … er, Canadian foe Raymond of Alberta. Emmett lost 49-32 to Blackfoot, ranked second in 4A, then routed 3A Fruitland 40-0. The 5A Timberwolves will be out to avoid a second loss to a 4A school this year.

Lake City, 35-28

ELLIOTT: We'll see who gets off the bus ready to play on Friday.

Lake City, 35-34

Sunnyside (0-1) at Post Falls (1-1), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Sunnyside, in Washington’s highest classification (4A), opened with a 20-12 loss to 2A Prosser last week.

Post Falls, 35-6

ELLIOTT: Post Falls got its offense going last week and keeps things rolling in a nonleague game.

Post Falls 34-14

Timberlake (1-1) at McCall-Donnelly (2-0), 6 p.m.

NELKE: The Vandals opened with a 20-7 victory over 4A Wood River (which is playing 3A in football), and then beat 2A Nampa Christian 34-15.

Timberlake, 30-28

ELLIOTT: Again, those long bus trips, especially this time of year usually favor the home team.

McCall-Donnelly, 20-19

St. Maries (0-1) at Freeman (0-1), 7 p.m.

NELKE: The Scotties have had the better of the Lumberjacks over the past decade, with three one-sided victories, including 42-6 last year.

Freeman, 36-18

ELLIOTT: If St. Maries can run the ball, the Lumberjacks can keep it close.

Freeman, 34-20