Coeur d'Alene has had the upper hand over Lake City in recent years, winning the last four matchups, starting with the first round of the 2009 playoffs.

But Lake City gets its chance tonight, traveling to Coeur d'Alene in a game that will decide the 5A Inland Empire League football title.

Both teams have already clinched the right to host state 5A play-in games next Friday against either Post Falls and Lewiston. If both win those, tonight's winner will host a first-round state playoff game, while the loser will travel to the second-place team from the 5A Southern Idaho Conference.

"They're a good football team," Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said of Lake City. "They're much, much improved and I think honestly all the league teams are pretty close. Friday's game is going to be a dogfight. If we play like we did against Lewiston (five turnovers in a 26-16 win), we’re going to get hammered. We need to play a lot better.”

Lake City (4-2-1, 2-0 5A IEL) won four straight before last week’s loss at Chiawana of Pasco, Wash. Standout receiver Mitch Bevacqua suffered a sprained ankle vs. Sandpoint two weeks ago, and his status for tonight against Coeur d’Alene (5-2, 2-0) is uncertain.

“I think they’re a good football team,” Lake City coach Van Troxel said of the Vikings. “Their two losses came against great teams, but they bounced back. I think we’re a good football team.”

Lewiston (3-3, 0-2 5A IEL) at Post Falls (1-6, 0-2): The winner is the No. 3 seed, and plays at the Lake City-Coeur d’Alene loser next week in a state play-in game. The loser plays at the LC-Cd’A winner in a play-in game.

Lakeland (5-2, 0-0 4A IEL) at Moscow (2-5, 1-0): The Bears, despite their overall record, can clinch the league’s lone state playoff berth with a win over the Hawks at Bear Field. Lakeland can make the playoffs by beating Moscow, then beating Sandpoint at home next week.

Timberlake (3-4, 2-0 Intermountain League) at Priest River (5-2, 2-0): The winner takes the IML title, and will play the fourth-place team from District 3 in a state 3A play-in game next Friday at the Kibbie Dome. The loser will play the third-place team from District 3 in a play-in game. The Bonners Ferry-Kellogg winner will advance to a state play-in game vs. top-ranked Fruitland. The loser will be done for the year.

Orofino (3-3, 0-1 Central Idaho League) at St. Maries (3-4, 0-1): The winner finishes second in the Central Idaho League, and will play at the District 3 second-place team next week in a state 2A play-in game. The loser plays at the District 3 champ in a play-in game.

Wallace (5-2) at Kootenai (5-2): Kootenai has won five of six games after a 52-6 loss at Wallace in the season opener.

Lakeside (0-6) at Mullan (1-6): Lakeside looks to notch its first victory heading into next week’s 1A Division 1 showdown at Wallace.

5A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L T

Coeur d’Alene 2 0 5 2 0

Lake City 2 0 4 2 1

Lewiston 0 2 3 3 0

Post Falls 0 2 1 6 0

Friday’s Games

Lake City at Coeur d’Alene

Lewiston at Post Falls

4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Moscow 1 0 2 5

Lakeland 0 0 5 2

Sandpoint 0 1 1 6

Friday’s Games

Lakeland at Moscow

Clarkston at Sandpoint

INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Timberlake 2 0 3 4

Priest River 2 0 5 2

Bonners Ferry 0 2 0 7

Kellogg 0 2 0 7

Friday’s Games

Timberlake at Priest River

Bonners Ferry at Kellogg

CENTRAL IDAHO LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Grangeville 2 0 6 1

Orofino 0 1 3 3

St. Maries 0 1 3 4

Friday’s Game

Orofino at St. Maries

Grangeville is idle

1A DIVISION I

NORTH STAR LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Wallace 1 0 5 2

Lakeside 0 1 0 6

1A DIVISION II

NORTH STAR LEAGUE

League Overall

W L W L

Kootenai 3 0 5 2

Clark Fork 2 1 4 3

Mullan 0 4 1 6

Friday’s Games

Wallace at Kootenai

Lakeside at Mullan

Timberline at Clark Fork