Gridiron Guesses: You take even the small victories when you can

By Press staff

Editor’s note: We picked all the games last week.

Not that we picked them tremendously well, mind you, as you’ll read later.

But we didn’t forget a game, like we did Lake City at Lakeland two weeks ago — and have heard about it ever since.

This week, there’s a heavy slate of nonleague games, along with a couple of North Star League tilts — including Clark Fork at Wallace.

Lake City, coming off its first victory of the Byron Hout era, collides with Emmett at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Last year, the teams met up in Baker City, Ore., with Emmett winning 55-27.

Post Falls, ranked fifth in 5A in this week’s statewide media poll, plays its third road game in as many weeks, this time making the 210-mile trek to Sunnyside (Wash.).

Lakeland will honor the 2023 class of the Lakeland Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of tonight’s home game vs. West Valley at Corbit Field in Rathdrum.

Coeur d’Alene (2-1) is idle this week, and hosts Lakeland next Friday.

As for the picks, Josh McDonald went 6-2, and is 16-5 overall. Mark Nelke went 5-3 and is 14-7, and Jason Elliott went 5-3 and is 13-8.

HIGH SCHOOLS

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Emmett (2-0) vs. Lake City (1-1) at Kibbie Dome, Moscow, 7 p.m.

NELKE: Isaac Brennan, who caught two touchdown passes against Lake City last year, has rushed for 405 yards and three TDs in two games this year for Emmett, which owns wins over Blackfoot (33-30) and Fruitland (27-14). Lake City blanked North Central 34-0 last week; a win this week would be even more impressive.

Emmett, 28-24

ELLIOTT: Lake City might not be there yet, but the Timberwolves are getting closer.

Emmett, 27-20

McDONALD: A neutral site game against a solid 4A opponent — I think Lake City is up for the challenge, but still have a few more growing pains to weather.

Emmett, 24-21

Post Falls (2-0) at Sunnyside (0-1), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Post Falls held off Sunnyside 28-25 last year at home. Sunnyside lost 29-23 to Prosser in its opener last week. If nothing else, the Trojans should be used to getting on and getting off a bus by now.

Post Falls, 28-23

ELLIOTT: Post Falls just has too many guys that can affect the outcome in this game.

Post Falls, 33-20

McDONALD: The Trojans are playing exceptionally well. Last year they beat Sunnyside in a tight one, but I’m banking on Post Falls’ improvement being greater than the host Grizzlies’.

Post Falls, 35-21

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

NELKE: West Valley lost 27-20 on the new artificial turf at Freeman last week. Lakeland beat the Eagles 23-0 in Millwood last year.

Lakeland, 26-14

ELLIOTT: Lakeland really found its legs last week in the second half against Pullman.

Lakeland, 33-20

McDONALD: The Hawks know how to win ugly, but they also know how to put up points. How about a gritty defensive effort and a high-scoring output?

Lakeland, 30-14

McCall-Donnelly (2-0) at Timberlake (2-1), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Last year, Timberlake bused all the way to McCall, only to turn around and bus home when the game was canceled due to poor air quality. The Vandals routed Wood River in their opener, then won 22-14 at Nampa Christian last week. After being blitzed early by Shadle Park last week in a 38-32 loss, Timberlake needs a bounceback win.

Timberlake, 28-24

ELLIOTT: Timberlake should have had its home opener last week, so the Tigers might be a little more fired up than normal.

McCall-Donnelly, 28-27

McDONALD: This is my game of the week. Timberlake will be looking to shake the sting of last week’s loss and McCall-Donnelly hopes to start its season off 3-0. I’m going with the home team.

Timberlake, 30-28

Freeman (1-0) at St. Maries (0-2), 7 p.m.

NELKE: St. Maries fell behind 35-0 last week in a 35-8 loss at Riverside in Chattaroy, Wash. The Scotties beat the Lumberjacks handily the last two years, 41-6 at home last year and 42-6 in 2021 at Freeman.

Freeman, 35-12

ELLIOTT: Might be a tough one for the Lumberjacks tonight.

Freeman, 34-12

McDONALD: The Lumberjacks are still finding their way, but the Scotties look really tough this year.

Freeman, 48-12

Kellogg (0-2) at Newport (0-1), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Kellogg has been outscored 82-12 in its two games. Newport was pummeled 56-13 in its opener by Cashmere.

Kellogg, 18-12

ELLIOTT: Might be a high scoring game.

Newport, 34-20

McDONALD: Through two games the Wildcats have surrendered 82 points. The good news is that Newport doesn’t appear to be much better defensively. Wildcats get their first win on the road.

Kellogg, 20-13

Clark Fork (1-1, 1-1 North Star League) vs. Wallace (1-1, 1-1) at Sather Field, Silverton, 7 p.m.

NELKE: Clark Fork has been idle since Aug. 25, when it beat Kootenai in a game halted in the second quarter due to mounting injuries on the Warriors’ team. Wallace is coming off a 52-34 loss to Lakeside last week.

Clark Fork, 32-26

ELLIOTT: Wallace finds a way in its home opener, right?

Wallace, 34-32

McDONALD: Clark Fork looks to be the second-best team in the North Star League, so the Miners will have their work cut out for them. If Wallace keeps it close it will have a shot.

Clark Fork, 32-26

Lakeside (1-1) at Deary (2-0), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Lakeside opened some eyes last week with its victory over Wallace. Deary beat Troy 34-28 in its opener. Last week, after Kootenai canceled a game at Deary due to injuries, the Mustangs picked up Salmon River and beat the Savages 44-0.

Deary, 38-32

ELLIOTT: Seems like Lakeside found something with running back Qwincy Hall last week. Deary's still tough though.

Deary, 44-34

McDONALD: Through two games Deary looks the part as one of the state's best in 8-man. I'm not sure the Knights' defense has the ability to stop the high-powered Mustang attack.

Deary, 45-18

Kootenai (0-2, 0-2 North Star League) at Mullan/St. Regis (2-0, 1-0), 3:30 p.m.

NELKE: Mullan/St. Regis, 56-6

ELLIOTT: Mullan/St. Regis, 46-12

McDONALD: The 2-0 Tigers had last week off, but they’ll pick up where they left off when they host the Warriors.

Mullan/St. Regis, 60-6

PREP FOOTBALL STANDINGS

5A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Post Falls 0 0 2 0

Coeur d’Alene 0 0 2 1

Lake City 0 0 1 1

Lewiston 0 0 0 2

Friday’s Games

Emmett vs. Lake City at Kibbie Dome, Moscow

Post Falls at Sunnyside (Wash.)

Clarkston at Lewiston

Coeur d’Alene is idle

4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Lakeland 0 0 3 0

Moscow 0 0 1 1

Sandpoint 0 0 0 2

Friday’s Games

West Valley at Lakeland

Raymond vs. Sandpoint at University of Montana, Missoula

Moscow at Pullman

INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Timberlake 0 0 2 1

Bonners Ferry 0 0 1 1

Friday’s Games

McCall-Donnelly at Timberlake

Bonners Ferry at Weiser

CENTRAL IDAHO LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Grangeville 0 0 1 1

Kellogg 0 0 0 2

St. Maries 0 0 0 2

Orofino 0 0 0 2

Wednesday’s Game

Lewiston freshmen 29, Orofino 28

Friday’s Games

Freeman at St. Maries

Kellogg at Newport

Rogers at Grangeville

Priest River is playing a JV-only schedule in football this year

NORTH STAR LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Mullan/St. Regis 1 0 2 0

Lakeside 1 0 1 1

Wallace 1 1 1 1

Clark Fork 1 1 1 1

Kootenai 0 2 0 2

Friday’s Games

Lakeside at Deary

Kootenai at Mullan/St. Regis

Clark Fork at Wallace