By MARK NELKE

Sports editor

A week ago at this time, a chance to make the playoffs might have been the furthest thing from the mind of the Post Falls High football team.

The Trojans were missing four key starters, then quickly fell behind 21-0 at Lewiston.

But Post Falls battled back for a 48-42 win in double overtime.

The odds remain long, but the Trojans at least have their playoff fate in their hands tonight.

If Post Falls (5-4, 1-1 5A Inland Empire League) can somehow win at second-ranked Coeur d'Alene (5-3, 2-0) tonight, and Lewiston (4-4, 0-2) pull a surprise at Lake City (5-3, 1-1) tonight, the Trojans would be in the state playoffs.

If Coeur d'Alene wins, the Vikings would earn the league's lone berth to the state playoffs, and play host to the No. 5 seed from the 5A Southern Idaho Conference in the first round next week.

For when we started that game in Lewiston and how we finished that game in Lewiston helped us build our confidence," Post Falls coach Jeff Hinz said. "They (the Vikings) are big and physical up front, and that's something that we have to handle."

Hinz said senior quarterback Joey Pfennigs won't play for the second straight week, after suffering a concussion against Richland two weeks ago. Running back Seth McLeod is expected back this week, but middle linebacker Nate Gomer is out with a neck injury suffered last week.

It could be the battle of the backup quarterbacks - though Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said his son, Viking QB Gunnar Amos "has recovered quickly and is working through the progression" after getting knocked out vs. Lake City last Friday. Shawn Amos said Gunnar would be a "game-day decision."

If Gunnar doesn't play, sophomore Austin Lee, who played in the fourth quarter vs. Lake City, would start. Lee completed all four of his passes vs. the Timberwolves, for 100 yards and a touchdown.

"You saw what Austin Lee could do," Shawn Amos said. "He's a lot like Gunnar when Gunnar was a sophomore. We would like to have Gunnar, but we'll be OK with Austin ... we'll get him a week of reps and he'll be ready.

Post Falls is the last team to beat Coeur d'Alene in league play, winning 13-7 at Coeur d'Alene in 2009.

"We want to keep it close, and see if we can win it in the fourth quarter," Hinz said. "Our kids feel there's a chance ... you never know."

Lewiston at Lake City: Lake City looks to bounce back from last week's 44-13 loss, and hope Post Falls somehow upsets Coeur d'Alene, for the Timberwolves to have any chance at the playoffs.

Lakeland (4-4, 1-0 4A IEL) at Sandpoint (4-4, 1-0): It's pretty simple - the winner advances to the state playoffs next week, and hosts Skyview of Nampa in the first round. The loser is done for the season.

Both beat Moscow in league play - Sandpoint winning 21-14 at Moscow two weeks ago, Lakeland routing the Bears 42-14 at home last week.

Kellogg (1-7, 0-2 Intermountain League) at Timberlake (5-3, 2-0): Timberlake is expected to win this one handily, but the Tigers have already clinched the IML's No. 1 seed to the state playoffs, and will host the winner of Saturday's game pitting Fruitland at Buhl next week in the first round of the state 3A playoffs.

Bonners Ferry, which is idle this week, is the No. 2 seed, and will travel to the winner of Saturday's game pitting Filer at Homedale next week in the first round of the playoffs.

Clark Fork (3-4, 2-1 1A Division II North Star League) at Kootenai (5-3, 3-0): Kootenai can clinch the top seed to the state 1A Division II playoffs with a win, and would host top-ranked Salmon River next week in the first round. Kootenai won 50-0 at Clark Fork earlier in the season.

Wallace (8-0, 1-0 1A Division I North Star League) at Lakeside (1-7, 0-1): A win by Wallace would send the Miners to the state 1A Division I playoffs, where the Miners would play host to Prairie in the first round next weekend.

St. Maries (2-6) vs. Cole Valley Christian (8-0): The Lumberjacks are back in the state 2A play-in round for the second straight year.

Tonight's games

All at 7 p.m.

Post Falls at Coeur d'Alene

Lewiston at Lake City

Friday's Games

All at 7 p.m.

Lakeland at Sandpoint

Kellogg at Timberlake

Clark Fork at Kootenai

Wallace at Lakeside

Saturday's Game

St. Maries vs. Cole Valley Christian at Meridian High, noon PDT