Gridiron Guesses Aug. 23, 2024: Coeur d’Alene-Rigby quite the tasty season opener tonight

For the third straight year, longtime high school football power Coeur d’Alene and newbie power Rigby will square off in the season opener. 

But for the first time in the last three meetings, this one will take place in Idaho. 

At Coeur d’Alene High, to be exact.

Coeur d’Alene, ranked No. 1 in the new 6A classification in this week’s preseason media poll, will play host to Rigby, ranked in a tie for third, tonight at 7 p.m. at Viking Field.  

Tonight will mark the sixth meeting between the two teams since 2018, with Coeur d’Alene leading the series 3-2. 

The last two years, the Vikings and Trojans opened in Missoula, with Rigby winning in 2022 and Coeur d’Alene last year. 

This year, because of concerts scheduled for this weekend at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, the teams had to find another site, an opted for a home-and-home series. 

Rigby has won three of the last five state championships, including that double-overtime game with Coeur d’Alene in 2019 at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. 

Last year, Coeur d’Alene advanced to the state 5A championship game, falling 35-28 to Highland of Pocatello at Holt Arena (now the ICCU Dome). 

Rigby lost to Eagle in the state 5A quarterfinals last year, ending a run of four straight trips to the title game. Coeur d’Alene beat Eagle the following week in the semis. 

After beating Rigby last year, Coeur d’Alene reached the state title game for the first time since facing the Trojans in 2019. 

“I think it definitely was a good start, coming off a year that wasn’t our norm,” said Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos, whose 2022 squad finished 4-5 and missed the state playoffs for the first time since 2008. “I think it kinda gave them some confidence that they were doing the right things. 

"That’s why you play teams like Rigby early, so you can get a true evaluation on your kids. You’re going to see if they’re going to be able to play against a high-level opponent, and handle that.” 

Junior Jake Flowers, whose brother Luke is now a freshman at Montana, is Rigby’s new quarterback. 

All told, six local teams open their seasons tonight, including Coeur du Christ of Coeur d’Alene, making its debut as a football program by facing Lakeside at the Marimn Health Coeur Center in Worley. 

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

All at 7 p.m. 

Rigby at Coeur d’Alene 

NELKE: It might come down to the fact the Vikings return their quarterback (junior Caden Symons), while Rigby has a new signal-caller. This also could be the first of two meetings between the teams this season. 

Coeur d’Alene, 24-14 

ELLIOTT: I might have missed on this one last year ... Don't want to do that again, right?

Coeur d'Alene, 28-20

McDONALD: CHS should have one of the most potent offenses in the state with speed and big-game experience at almost every position. The Viks will open the inaugural 6A season up with a big win over a much-improved Rigby squad.

Coeur d'Alene, 28-21

Kellogg at Moscow 

NELKE: Kellogg, entering Year 2 post-Luna twins, is coming off a 3-6 season. After going 1-15 over the last two seasons, Moscow petitioned down a level for the next two years.  

Moscow, 7-6 

ELLIOTT: Moscow might be a little better.

Moscow 21-20

McDONALD: This is a rematch of the only game Moscow won a year ago. The Wildcats should be better this year than they were last year, but the Bears will still have size and experience on their side. 

Moscow, 28-21

Lakeside vs. Coeur du Christ at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley 

NELKE: The new-to-football Saints figure to take their lumps until they gain their footing. An interesting halftime idea might be Coeur du Christ coach Kellen Clemens, the former Oregon star, throwing deep balls to first-year Lakeside coach Jerry Louie-McGee, for former Lake City and Montana standout. 

Lakeside, 48-6 

ELLIOTT: Lakeside might have an edge in this one, but the return game in a few weeks might be a lot different.

Lakeside, 34-22

McDONALD: The Saints will have a target on their backs as the new kids on the block. The Knights should be better than last year, but not by much.

Coeur du Christ, 45-33

Timberline (Weippe) vs. Wallace at Sather Field, Silverton 

NELKE: With freshman Cooper Miller at quarterback, Wallace has high hopes. Timberline was 2-6 last year. 

Wallace, 34-12 

ELLIOTT:  Wallace might be one to watch this year, or so I've heard.

Wallace, 40-20

McDONALD: It’s Miller time, Cooper Miller time. Wallace’s freshmen phenom QB will have his first opportunity to lead a deep Miner team and should get the first W of his high school career.

Wallace, 60-40

SATURDAY'S GAMES 

Lakeland at Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m. 

NELKE: The Hawks again open the season on the road, but don’t have to travel nearly as far — the past three years, Lakeland traveled to Butte, Mont., to face Preston of southeast Idaho in a meet-you-halfway game. Lakeland and Bonners used to be foes in the Intermountain League, but haven’t met since a nonleague clash in 2016. 

Lakeland, 38-12 

ELLIOTT: Lakeland has the potential to surprise a few teams this year and maybe host a playoff game.

Lakeland, 35-14

McDONALD:  Last season, injuries derailed the Hawks after a 3-0 start. A healthy Hawk squad is a good Hawk squad. 

Lakeland, 35-14

Timberlake vs. Sugar-Salem at Anaconda, Mont., 3 p.m. PDT 

NELKE: This will be Timberlake’s third game against the Diggers in its last six games. The Tigers gave Sugar a game in a 48-21 loss in a state 3A quarterfinal last year in Rexburg. The Diggers went on to win their fifth state title in six seasons. 

Sugar-Salem, 48-21 

ELLIOTT: Timberlake might be better toward the end of the season after the young guys get some experience.

Sugar-Salem, 28-20

McDONALD: Last year, the Diggers beat the Tigers twice in five weeks on their way to a state championship. Timberlake lost its three best players from that team while it appears that the Diggers have, once again, reloaded. 

Sugar-Salem, 38-14