SANDPOINT — There’s a host of reasons why tonight’s battle between Sandpoint and Lake City is mostly even on paper.

Each has a loss to one of the top 5A programs in the state (the Bulldogs 42-7 to No. 2 Lewiston, and the T-Wolves 48-7 to No. 4 Madison), each has beaten a Greater Spokane League opponent (the Bulldogs beat Mt. Spokane 28-27, the T-Wolves Lewis and Clark 51-6), and both are sitting at 2-3 with the all-important league games looming.

Sandpoint beat Lake City 48-19 last year at home. Before that, Lake City won five straight, and 10 of the last 11. This year both teams feature new head coaches and boast identical records after fairly salty schedules.

Both teams are steadily improving, and Bulldogs head coach George Yarno is well aware of Lake City’s reputation on the gridiron.

“Storied program, big school. Big, fast, strong kids. They spread it out and throw,” he said. “We have to show up with our A-game to get it done.”

Last week’s game against No. 2 ranked Lewiston was a tough loss, and not much went right for the Bulldogs. While it’s certainly easier said than done, Yarno knows his team has to get back to doing the small things right for success.

“We need to get back to execution, 11 guys doing their job every play,” he said. “We didn’t execute well against Lewiston.”

Lake City has alternated losses and wins through the first five weeks of the season, including last week’s 40-30 loss to East Valley.

Sandpoint is playing the first of two scheduled regular-season games at Lake City — the Bulldogs, due to the renovation of their bleachers at Barlow Stadium, are slated to host Moscow at Lake City on Oct. 21.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Bob Witte and Chris Chatburn will call the game live on AM1400 and 103 FM, with the Yoke’s Pre-game show starting at 6:40 p.m.

n Clark Fork (3-2, 1-1 WSL) at Kootenai (3-1, 2-1): Kootenai is in third place, Clark Fork fourth in the seven-team White Star League. The teams have played three common opponents this season. Both have beaten Timberline and Mullan; Kootenai beat Lakeside 28-12 last week, two weeks after Lakeside won 38-14 at Clark Fork.

Dakota West returned last week, and made an instant impact at running back with four touchdowns in a win over Mullan. Along with Noah Bova, the Cats can now keep teams honest on the ground, which will help open things up in the passing game for quarterback Wade Stevens and receivers Bryant Moore and Hunter Boudousquie.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Harrison Flats.