Gridiron Guesses Sept. 15, 2023: Four weeks in, Post Falls finally makes home debut

By Press staff

Forgive the Post Falls Trojans if, sometime today, they feel the urge to jump on a bus and go for a long ride.

First, it was the relatively short 48-mile trip to Barlow Stadium to play Sandpoint in the season opener.

Then it was the 450-mile jaunt to Dona Larson Park in Boise to face Timberline.

Last week, it was a 210-mile trip to central Washington to take on Sunnyside.

Tonight, Post Falls (2-1) stays home to meet University (0-2) of Spokane Valley in the Trojans’ home opener at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, Coeur d’Alene (2-1) returns from a bye week to play host to Lakeland (3-1) at Viking Field at 7. Coeur d’Alene plans to honor those who donated to the construction of its new artificial turf field tonight.

On Saturday, 5A Lake City (1-2) travels to Boise to take on another tough 4A foe in top-ranked Bishop Kelly (3-0). Last week, Lake City battled fourth-ranked Emmett in a 17-13 loss at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

As for the picks, last week was a rough one for the Guessers. Josh McDonald went 4-5 but stayed in the lead at 20-10 for the season, Jason Elliott went 5-4 and is 18-9 overall, and Mark Nelke was 4-5 and is 18-9 overall.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Lakeland (3-1) at Coeur d’Alene (2-1), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Two weeks ago, a sophomore got his first varsity start at quarterback for Coeur d’Alene. Last week, a freshman finished up at QB for Lakeland, which lost its first two signal-callers to injury.

Coeur d’Alene, 24-10

ELLIOTT: Coeur d'Alene gets back to the ground game tonight.

Coeur d'Alene, 34-20

McDONALD: The visiting Hawks will look to get back on track, but Coeur d’Alene is probably not going to be the team they do it against.

Coeur d’Alene, 28-17

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

NELKE: They probably won’t play that John Denver song tonight, but the Trojans should be thinking “Hey, it’s good, to be back home again.”

Post Falls, 42-21

ELLIOTT: It might take a few minutes, but Post Falls gets it rolling tonight.

Post Falls, 38-20

McDONALD: Scoring has not been an issue for the Trojans, but last week they couldn’t get a stop when it mattered most. University’s offense hasn’t been particularly good in their first two games.

Post Falls, 35-20

Timberlake (2-2) at Moscow (1-2), 7 p.m.

NELKE: After a couple of tough losses to Shadle Park and McCall-Donnelly, the Tigers could use a win. We’ll go with the “upset.”

Timberlake, 28-26

ELLIOTT: Timberlake was close to knocking off McCall-Donnelly last week. They'll finish the job tonight.

Timberlake, 32-26

McDONALD: Both teams are coming off multiple losses. The Bears have legitimate size up front and a capable QB. Timberlake will look to use its speed, but I think this one comes down to who has the ball last.

Moscow, 36-35

Kellogg (0-3) at St. Maries (0-3), 7 p.m.

NELKE: In a battle of winless teams, we’ll go with the home squad.

St. Maries, 26-14

ELLIOTT: St. Maries was right with the Wildcats last year before the Luna brothers took over. Since they're at Miami now ...

St. Maries, 28-22

McDONALD: The Wildcats could get their first win of the year if they can stop the Lumberjacks' rushing attack. However, Kellogg hasn’t been able to stop the run at any point this season.

St. Maries, 24-18

Mullan/St. Regis (3-0, 2-0 North Star League) vs. Wallace (1-2, 1-2 NSL) at Sather Field, Silverton, 7 p.m.

NELKE: Mullan/St. Regis, 54-22

ELLIOTT: Mullan/St. Regis has some dudes on its roster. Sorry Doc ...

Mullan/St. Regis, 48-34

McDONALD: The Tigers will be making the long 8-mile trek to Silverton to take on the Miners. Wallace is young and has played well to start the season, but Mullan/St. Regis is battle-tested and still the king of the NSL.

Mullan/St. Regis, 48-30

Kendrick JV at Kootenai (0-3), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Kendrick’s varsity is the defending state 1A Division II champion, and ranked No. 1 this year.

Kendrick JV, 30-18

ELLIOTT: Kootenai looks to have some pieces to build on.

Kendrick JV, 36-22

McDONALD: The Warriors get to host what should be a decent JV squad from Kendrick. Kootenai has been on the field with some solid athletes this year, so the Warriors should be ready to get a win.

Kootenai, 18-12

Clark Fork (2-1, 2-1 North Star League) vs. Lakeside (2-1, 1-0 NSL) at Marimn Health Coeur Center, 7 p.m.

NELKE: This matchup could decide the North Star League’s second berth to the state playoffs. The Knights have played well the last two weeks in wins over Wallace and Deary.

Lakeside, 36-28

ELLIOTT: Coach Jeremy Buell mentioned that last week's win over Deary was believed to be the first time in 15 years that the Knights had beaten the Mustangs. Lakeside, but close.

Lakeside, 34-30

McDONALD: The Wampus Cats have been good on the defensive side of the ball, Lakeside has scored in bunches. This one should be fun.

Lakeside, 38-32

SATURDAY’S GAME

Lake City (1-2) at Bishop Kelly (3-0), noon PDT

NELKE: Last year for the Knights, it was “BK, have it your way” in a 49-14 romp at Lake City. The Timberwolves should keep it a lot closer this year.

Bishop Kelly, 28-21

ELLIOTT: Lake City is still improving.

Bishop Kelly, 28-20

McDONALD: It’s back-to-back games against the best of the 4A classification for the T-Wolves. This time though, it won’t be at a neutral site — and it really feels like the Knights haven’t been challenged yet this year.

Bishop Kelly, 38-16

STANDINGS

5A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Post Falls 0 0 2 1

Coeur d’Alene 0 0 2 1

Lake City 0 0 1 2

Lewiston 0 0 1 2

Friday’s Games

Lakeland at Coeur d’Alene

University at Post Falls

Pendleton at Lewiston

Saturday’s Game

Lake City at Bishop Kelly

4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Lakeland 0 0 3 1

Moscow 0 0 1 2

Sandpoint 0 0 1 2

Friday’s Games

Lakeland at Coeur d’Alene

Timberlake at Moscow

Saturday’s Game

Sandpoint vs. Homedale at Hermiston, Ore.

INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Timberlake 0 0 2 2

Bonners Ferry 0 0 1 2

Friday’s Games

Timberlake at Moscow

Connell (Wash.) at Bonners Ferry

CENTRAL IDAHO LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Grangeville 0 0 1 2

Kellogg 0 0 0 3

St. Maries 0 0 0 3

Orofino 0 0 0 2

Friday’s Games

Kellogg at St. Maries

Grangeville at New Plymouth

Orofino is idle

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

NORTH STAR LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Mullan/St. Regis 2 0 3 0

Lakeside 1 0 2 1

Clark Fork 2 1 2 1

Wallace 1 2 1 2

Kootenai 0 3 0 3

Friday’s Games

Clark Fork vs. Lakeside at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley

Kendrick JV at Kootenai

Mullan/St. Regis vs. Wallace at Silverton