PREP FOOTBALL: Vikings upset at Lewiston

LEWISTON — That’s why they play the games. 

Coming off a pair of impressive victories to open the season, the 6A Coeur d’Alene Vikings stumbled against the 5A Lewiston Bengals on Thursday night at Bengal Field. 

Hampered by penalties and turnovers, Coeur d’Alene was upset 13-6 by Lewiston in a nonleague game. 

The Vikings (2-1) entered the game ranked No. 1 in 6A by the state’s media.

“Lewiston earned that win,” Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos said. “We made way too many mistakes, and they took advantage.”  

After a scoreless, mistake-filled first three quarters, Coeur d’Alene got on the board on a 1-yard TD run by Anthony Thompson (formerly Browning) with 8:30 remaining in the game. A missed PAT left the score at 6-0. 

Lewiston (1-1), which lost 47-27 at Post Falls last week, answered with a 75-yard kickoff return by Nathan King, then kicked the extra point for a 7-6 lead with 8:18 left. 

A keeper by Lewiston quarterback Mason Way increased the Bengals’ lead to 13-6, and a late interception by Lewiston sealed it. 

“We will see how coaches and players respond to adversity,” Amos said. “If we handle this correctly, it should be a great lesson on, you have to show up all the time. I look forward to seeing the character of our team.”

It was Lewiston’s second win over Coeur d’Alene in three seasons, both at Bengal Field, after the Vikings had won 18 of the previous 19 meetings.  

Each team threw interceptions in the first half, and Lewiston missed a 47-yard field goal just before halftime. 

In the third quarter, Coeur d’Alene lost a fumble in the red zone on its first possession. Then, after forcing a three-and-out, the Vikings drove back into the red zone, only to be stopped on downs. 

The Viks threw an interception later in the quarter. 

Coeur d’Alene travels to Sunnyside (Wash.) next Friday.