GRIDIRON GUESSES Nov. 3, 2023: State playoffs: Hey, haven't we met somewhere before?

By Press staff

You don’t often get rematches of nonleague regular season games in the playoffs in Idaho high school football.

But for North Idaho teams, it’s happening twice this week in the quarterfinals.

In 5A, Coeur d’Alene (7-2) plays host to Rocky Mountain (7-3) of Meridian tonight at 7 at Viking Field. The teams met Aug. 25 in Coeur d’Alene — more than two months and some 25 degrees ago — with Rocky winning 16-0.

In 3A, eighth-seeded Timberlake (6-4) will play top-seeded and defending champion Sugar-Salem (8-0) on Saturday at 11 a.m. PDT at Madison High in Rexburg. The teams met Sept. 29 in Spirit Lake, with Sugar-Salem winning 55-8.

Also on Saturday, Mullan/St. Regis (8-1) plays host to Hagerman (8-2) at 1 p.m. at John Drager Field in Mullan.

Rocky might have trouble recognizing Coeur d’Alene the second time around. The Vikings made a change at quarterback after the first meeting, with sophomore Caden Symons (1,550 yards, 13 TDs) going 6-1. Also, some other key Vikings have gotten healthy since then.

“It’s always hard to play a team twice, and they’re a good football team,” Rocky Mountain coach Scott Criner told The Idaho Statesman. “... They didn’t have their best performance against us, and we hit on all cylinders. I know that we’re not gonna see that same team.”

Coeur d’Alene enters the postseason on a four-game winning streak, its only other loss at Woodinville (Wash.). After missing out on the playoffs last year for the first time since 2008, the Vikings are eager to make an impression this postseason.

In the first meeting with Rocky, Coeur d’Alene had four turnovers, its quarterbacks were sacked seven times, and the Vikings netted 2 yards rushing and crossed midfield just twice in the game.

“I think they know how to handle adversity,” Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos said of his team. “They don’t panic, and that’s big, because in the playoffs you’re going to have some tough times, and you’re going to have to respond … and good or bad, just play the next play.”

After using just one QB vs. Coeur d’Alene, Rocky has used multiple quarterbacks since — four played in last week’s 30-15 win over Borah.

“We’ll see them again,” Criner told The Press after the first meeting with Coeur d’Alene.

Timberlake rushed for only 93 yards in the first meeting vs. Sugar-Salem. The Diggers outgained the Tigers 569-248 in total offense.

Timberlake is more balanced this season, but made a conscious effort to focus on the running game in last week’s 67-27 win over American Falls in the first round.

“We have to do a better job running the football,” Timberlake coach Kelly Amos said. “If you look at our offense after the Sugar game, it is significantly better … it helps that we’re able to run the football.”

Mullan/St. Regis is in the playoffs for the fifth straight year, looking for its first trip to the semifinals since 2020.

As for the picks, Jason Elliott, Mark Nelke and Josh McDonald each went 2-1 last week. Jason still leads at 56-21 overall, Mark is at 55-22, Josh 52-25.

State 5A quarterfinals

Rocky Mountain (7-3) at Coeur d’Alene (7-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

NELKE: Rocky left a lot of points on the table in the August meeting, but was still in control of the game thanks to its defense. The Vikings should put more offensive pressure on the Grizzlies in the rematch. And Coeur d’Alene’s defense remains stout as well.

Coeur d’Alene, 28-24

ELLIOTT:  If Coeur d'Alene can control the football, run it a little bit and play some good defense, the Vikings should be on to the semifinals.

Coeur d'Alene, 16-14

McDONALD: The Vikings have come a long way since the 16-0 loss to the Grizzlies in August. 

Coeur d’Alene, 28-24

State 3A quarterfinals

Timberlake (6-4) vs. Sugar-Salem (8-0), Saturday, 11 a.m. PDT at Madison High, Rexburg

NELKE: Timberlake is 0-8 away from home in the playoffs. But the last two years, the Tigers played Gooding and Weiser to one-score games. How much can Timberlake close the gap on Sugar in six weeks?

Sugar-Salem, 34-22

ELLIOTT: Timberlake cruised in its playoff opener last week. This week, it won't be that easy.

Sugar-Salem, 42-20

McDONALD: The Tigers are going to have to play perfectly and hope that the Diggers make a few mistakes if they want this game to be competitive — but I think the Diggers are just on a different level right now. 

Sugar-Salem, 35-16

Hagerman (8-2) vs. Mullan/St. Regis (8-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. at John Drager Field, Mullan

NELKE: Hagerman hung 70 on Mackay in the first round last week, and Mullan/St. Regis is averaging 44.4 per game. Fans may have to surround the field with their rigs and turn their headlights on so the teams can see their way to the finish in the afternoon tilt.

Mullan/St. Regis, 52-48

ELLIOTT: John Drager Field is one of the best venues to watch a football game, especially when there's a chance of snow in early November. 

Mullan/St. Regis, 32-30

McDONALD: The Tigers are down a few of their experienced guys but will hope that a long road trip and the friendly confines of John Drager Field are enough to make up the difference. 

Mullan/St. Regis, 35-32