In the game of H.O.R.S.E., it is referred to as having to "prove it" - backing up the game-winning shot by making the same shot again.

Post Falls beat Lake City 17-7 four weeks ago at Lake City - the Trojans' first victory over the Timberwolves since 2004. But it didn't count in the 5A Inland Empire League standings.

Tonight's rematch between Lake City (2-2) and Post Falls (4-1) - at 7 at Post Falls High - is the league opener for both teams, and could go a long way toward determining a state playoff berth.

"It is what it is," Post Falls coach Jeff Hinz said, about Post Falls, Lake City and Lewiston each having to play twice this season, with the first one not counting in league. "We've got to deal with it, and take care of business on the field."

Lake City is coming off a bye last week. Coach Van Troxel gave credit to Post Falls for winning the first meeting, but also said his team had a poor week of practice leading up to the game.

The Timberwolves defense overall has been pretty solid all season, giving up 18 points a game, and no more than 21 in any one game.

Post Falls, ranked fourth in the state in 5A this week, has won two straight — scoring an average of 45.5 points — since stumbling through a 30-13 loss at Madison of Rexburg three weeks ago.

“I think we’re playing a little bit better (than in the first meeting), but I think we’ve still got some stuff to clean up for (this) week,” Hinz said.

West Valley (3-1) at Lakeland (3-2): West Valley owns wins over Moscow (20-0), Colville (37-0) and Sandpoint (14-12). Lakeland beat Colville 41-7 four weeks ago.

St. Maries (1-4, 0-1 Intermountain League) at Kellogg (0-4, 0-0): St. Maries broke through to the win column last week with a 22-21 win at Orofino.

Timberlake (2-2, 0-0 IML) at Priest River (0-4, 0-0): Timberlake is coming off a bye week heading into the IML opener for both schools. Priest River has lost its four games by a combined score of 178-38.

Kootenai (2-3, 2-2 North Star League) at Wallace (4-0, 4-0): Kootenai lost to Wallace 64-14 at home in the season opener. Wallace is ranked second in 1A Division I.

Clark Fork (1-3, 1-3 NSL) at Lakeside (4-1, 3-1 NSL): Lakeside won 50-0 at Clark Fork in the season opener.

Coeur d’Alene (5-0), ranked No. 1 in 5A, is idle this week. The Vikings are scheduled to host 4A Moscow in their homecoming game next week, but the Bears apparently have some “concerns” about playing the high-powered Vikings, who thrashed Sandpoint, one of Moscow’s rivals in the 4A IEL, 88-12 last week. If the Bears indeed opt to back out, Coeur d’Alene would be left to try to find a replacement game for next week.

Standings

5A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Coeur d’Alene 0 0 5 0

Post Falls 0 0 4 1

Lewiston 0 0 3 2

Lake City 0 0 2 2

Friday’s Games

Lake City at Post Falls

Sandpoint at Lewiston

Coeur d’Alene is idle

4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Lakeland 0 0 3 2

Moscow 0 0 3 1

Sandpoint 0 0 1 3

Friday’s Games

West Valley at Lakeland

Sandpoint at Lewiston

Moscow at Bonners Ferry

INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Bonners Ferry 1 0 1 4

Timberlake 0 0 2 2

Priest River 0 0 0 4

Kellogg 0 0 0 4

St. Maries 0 1 1 4

Friday’s Games

St. Maries at Kellogg

Timberlake at Priest River

Moscow at Bonners Ferry

NORTH STAR LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Wallace 4 0 4 0

Lakeside 3 1 4 1

Kootenai 2 2 2 3

Clark Fork 1 3 1 3

Mullan 0 4 0 4

Friday’s Games

Kootenai at Wallace

Clark Fork at Lakeside

Mullan is idle

Prep football

Tonight's Games

All at 7 p.m.

Lake City at Post Falls

West Valley at Lakeland

St. Maries at Kellogg

Timberlake at Priest River

Kootenai at Wallace

Clark Fork at Lakeside