Mark Koerner, Ryan Davis, Jeff Runge and John Beutler are within three games of each other for the top spot in the 2016 Coeur d’Alene Press All-Star Pigskin Prognosticators competition.

Good for them. Good for the organizations they represent, in order: Koerner Furniture, Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County, Runge Furniture and Century 21 Beutler & Associations. And good for the local nonprofits they’re playing for, in order: Coeur d’Alene food bank; St. Vincent de Paul; Tesh, Inc.; and Court Appointed Special Advocates.

But today The League issued a press release asking fans to bolster the sagging spirits of the less fortunate among us, namely Jeff Conroy, John Gervais, Vic Holmes and Duffy Smock. Their attendance is dwindling. Their NFL flags are at half-mast. Their socks don’t smell very good, either.

Conroy (St. Vincent de Paul) and Gervais (Findlay Automotive) are bringing up the rear with 42-35 records. Mayor Holmes isn’t exactly representing Rathdrum as a city of champions with his meager 43-34 mark. And Smock? At 44-33, the Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty exec is only a little better than the worst, which is all Hillary or Donald can claim a month from now.

But because all 12 pigskin pickers are investing countless hours of research in their prognosticating powers, often at the expense of family time, work profits and mid-afternoon naps, The League is going to take mercy on the last-place finisher this year. The winners, you already know, will receive for the nonprofit they represent four half-page Press ads for first place, two half pages for second place and one half page for third. Whoever brings up the rear will earn a 99 cent sympathy card and a 3x5 ad in The Press for his or her chosen charity.

Yep, League generosity abounds. Let’s go to Page B5 and see who’s most likely to claim that last-place prize.