SANDPOINT — It’s not that the first seven games of the season didn’t matter, but as far as getting into the state playoffs is concerned, the season essentially starts tonight for the Bulldogs, who host 4A rival Lakeland in an Inland Empire League clash at Barlow Stadium.

Sandpoint (1-6) opens league play, while the Hawks (3-4, 1-0 4A IEL) downed Moscow 37-14 last week in their opener. A win tonight by the Hawks would guarantee them a home playoff game, but standing in their way is a Bulldog team looking to hit its stride coming off a clearly tougher nonleague schedule.

For the Bulldog seniors, a win is the only way to possibly play another game at Barlow Stadium, which is plenty of incentive in its own right.

“This is potentially their last time playing at War Memorial Field and Barlow Stadium. That’s a big deal,” said Bulldog head coach George Yarno. “It’s the last time playing a rival in Lakeland. They’ll never get that chance again.”

The Hawks opened the season with a 47-21 loss to Skyview, currently the No. 1 team in Idaho in the 4A ranks. Their other wins came against East Valley and 3A Timberlake.

Tonight’s combatants share a similar opponenent, with Lakeland losing 53-13 to No. 3 ranked Post Falls, while Sandpoint lost 56-12 in the season opener

“Their bread and butter offense is to do a lot of mis-directions,” said Yarno, who expects a lot of counters and multiple backfield handoffs. “They’ve always got something in store for Sandpoint. We match up pretty well. We’ll play hard and hopefully get a win.”

Yarno continues to praise the effort of his defense, which has a lot of younger guys stepping up, and feels the offense is getting better each week as players adjust to his pistol scheme.

Dual threat quarterback Robbie Johnson will get the start, with receiver Julian Barajas and running back Dustin Norris both showing big play capability.

“We’re starting to click. Very close to different outcomes,” said Yarno, adding close gets you beat. “I tell the guys you have to arrive, you can’t be close anymore.”

A look at the records would make Lakeland the favorite, and the Hawks won 20-14 last year in a rainy affair that came down to the wire.

For Sandpoint, last year means nothing, and the 1-6 record to this point was basically a brutally tough dress rehearsal for tonight.

“It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past,” claimed Yarno. “We need to win two league games and get into the playoffs. Beating Lakeland and Moscow is what we have to do.”

The game will be webcast on IdahoSports.com, and will be called live on the radio by Bob Witte and Chris Chatburn on 103 FM and AM 1400.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Barlow Stadium