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PIGSKIN PROGNOSTICATORS: Don't forget the dazzling duels!

MIKE PATRICK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 10 months AGO
by MIKE PATRICK
Staff Writer | December 22, 2016 8:15 PM

With just two weeks left in the regular season, you can go to Page B5 and see how the Coeur d’Alene Press All-Star Pigskin Prognosticators are doing.

Like Christmas packages, they’re lined up all nice and neat for you. From left to right — Mark Koerner to Rob Smith — the gridiron guessers are displayed from first place to 12th. It’s easy to see who’s way out ahead and who’s a wee bit behind, but what’s not so simple to discern are the games within the game. You know, the head-to-head battles.

While all 12 prognosticators are doing this for charity — the top three finishers win valuable free advertising for the charities they represent, and the last-place finisher also will be awarded a consolation ad for his charity — there’s more at stake for each player.

Professional pride.

Didn’t you notice that there are two car dealers, two real estate tycoons, two mayors and so on? You’d think we were preparing an NFL ark, but instead, we’ve prepped some nifty backyard brawls.

“Talked to Beutler this weekend,” confided Windermere’s Duffy Smock, who’s paired with Century 21’s John Beutler. “Turns out he only cares about beating me. It’s a two-man race as far as we are concerned.”

With the exception of a one-woman/one-man race in the automotive category, the Beutler-Smock Smackdown is just par for the course.

Here’s how the pairs stand heading into tonight’s Giants-Eagles tiff:

Furniture slingers: Mark Koerner leads Jeff Runge by 16 games. The Flyers fan is quite proud of that.

Charity dudes: Ryan Davis leads Jeff Conroy by 17 games. That’s not very charitable, is it?

Mayoral men: Steve Griffitts leads Vic Holmes by seven votes. Er, games.

Wheel dealers: Eve Knudtsen leads Rob Smith by 13 games. The lady can play.

Coaches’ corner: Blaine Bennett beat his buddy, Tim Kiefer, during the regular season and he’s doing it again. Bennett up by 17 games.

Housing honchos: The only truly tight race of them all, and Beutler leads Smock by a mere game. This one could go to overtime.

And The League hopes you and your loved ones go to overtime in spreading joy this weekend. Merry Christmas!

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