Gridiron Guesses: These matchups are no pushovers

By MARK NELKE and

JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writers

The good thing is — on the football field anyway — both Lakeland and Timberlake are teams that want to push you around for four quarters.

So later tonight, when the district rivals collide at Van Tuinstra Memorial Field in Spirit Lake at 7 p.m., both the Hawks and Tigers won’t be backing down until the final whistle.

“They’re a smashmouth team,” Timberlake coach Kelly Amos said of Lakeland. “They’re big and physical up front with their linemen and just want to push you around. But the nice thing is, what they do, is what we do best against the run.”

Though first-year coach Mike Schroeder hasn’t faced Timberlake yet, he’s aware his Lakeland team will need to be prepared.

“We’ll definitely have to be ready to play,” Schroeder said. “It’s always exciting for the team that’s the underdog and they’ll be ready to play.”

Last week, Lakeland outlasted Post Falls 31-28 at home, while Timberlake won at St. Maries 37-13.

Coeur d’Alene (3-2) hosts Union High (1-3) of Camas, Wash., following last Friday’s 28-14 win over Woodinville (Wash.) at Viking Field.

Union won its first game of the season last Friday, beating Prairie of Vancouver, Wash., 40-20.

"We’ve won three games in a row, but we still feel like we’ve got lots of room to improve, so that’s always a good thing," Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said.

Lake City defeated Moscow 35-6 in a nonleague game and hosts Sandpoint (1-3) tonight. The Bulldogs lost 40-38 at Lewiston in overtime last Friday.

Post Falls (3-2) faces Mt. Spokane (4-0) tonight at Union Stadium in Mead.

Clark Fork (3-1, 2-1 North Star League) plays host to Lakeside (1-3, 1-3) tonight. The Knights lost at Mullan/St. Regis last Friday 74-22. The Wampus Cats beat the Knights 46-0 in the season opener on Aug. 26 in Plummer. Clark Fork beat Kootenai 48-0. Kootenai forfeited tonight’s game vs. Wallace’s varsity, and played the Miners junior varsity Thursday night.

On Saturday, St. Maries (0-4) visits Bonners Ferry (5-0) in a nonleague game. Bonners rolled over East Valley 46-6 last week.

As for the picks, Jason went 6-0 and Mark was 5-1 last week, with the difference being Lakeland’s 31-28 win over Post Falls.

On the season, Jason is 28-4 and Mark is 27-5.

There’s no magic numbers yet.

TONIGHT’S GAMES

All 7 p.m.

Union (1-3) at Coeur d’Alene (3-2)

NELKE: Coeur d'Alene seems to have it figured out on defense. If the Vikings ever get clicking on offense, look out.

Coeur d'Alene, 28-14

ELLIOTT: In its two home wins, Coeur d’Alene has scored 27 and 28 points.

Coeur d’Alene, 28-20

Sandpoint (1-3) at Lake City (2-3)

NELKE: I had to check this and re-check this and re-re-check this, but Sandpoint has not won at Lake City since 2002. Sandpoint coach Ryan Knowles played on the 1996 Bulldog team that won at Lake City. After going 3-1 vs. the 5A IEL last year, 4A Sandpoint is 0-2 this year. 5A Lake City is 1-1 vs. the 4A IEL. Whether any of that means anything tonight ...

Lake City, 26-20

ELLIOTT: Sandpoint is likely starving to prove itself before a huge league showdown with Lakeland next Friday in Rathdrum.

Sandpoint, 40-38

Post Falls (3-2) vs. Mt. Spokane (4-0) at Union Stadium, Mead

NELKE: The four teams the Wildcats have beat have a combined record of 3-13. Both have played University, with Post Falls winning 41-0 and Mt. Spokane winning 30-14.

Post Falls, 41-30

ELLIOTT: If Post Falls can run the ball, which the Trojans do, it will be close.

Mt. Spokane, 35-33

Lakeland (5-1) at Timberlake (3-1)

NELKE: Lakeland has won 11 of the last 13 meetings with Timberlake, but this rivalry seems a lot closer than that.

Lakeland, 36-30

ELLIOTT: Lakeland has been impressive this season. Hopefully the Hawks are thinking about that game next Friday before taking care of business tonight.

Lakeland, 44-30

Clark Fork (3-1, 2-1 North Star League) at Lakeside (1-3, 1-3)

NELKE: Clark Fork, 46-0

ELLIOTT: Lakeside is better than in that first matchup. But Clark Fork is playing really well right now.

Clark Fork, 38-12

SATURDAY’S GAME

St. Maries (0-4) at Bonners Ferry (5-0)

NELKE: This should be a little closer than the records indicate ...

Bonners Ferry, 32-20

ELLIOTT: Bonners Ferry, still waiting for that Intermountain League showdown at the end of the season with Timberlake, gets past a former league foe.

Bonners Ferry, 36-16