GRIDIRON GUESSES: Collision course at Corbit Field

By MARK NELKE

and JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writers

Sandpoint has had the better of Lakeland in recent years on the football field.

The Bulldogs have won the last five meetings, including the last four since former Sandpoint High great Ryan Knowles took over as head coach of his alma mater.

But the Lakeland Hawks are perhaps the surprise of the state in 4A, off to a 6-1 start, and a one-point loss away from being undefeated.

And with a new head coach and a new attitude, Lakeland has had its eye on tonight’s matchup with Sandpoint (2-3) all year.

The Hawks and Bulldogs clash at 7 p.m. at Corbit Field in Rathdrum in the 4A Inland Empire League opener for both — but a game which will all but determine seeding for the state playoffs.

“I think our kids are physically ready to play,” first-year Lakeland coach Mike Schroeder said. “Last year in some spots, I’m not sure we could match them. We’re more evenly matched. I think they (the Bulldogs) are more experienced and calloused; they’ve been in more big games. We’re going to have to play a near-perfect game.”

Both teams are all but guaranteed to make the 16-team state 4A playoffs, but winning tonight’s game takes on added importance this year.

The 4A bracket, as posted on the Idaho High School Activities bracket, was recently changed to where eight of the top finishers in their leagues statewide (including only one team from the 4A IEL) will be seeded 1-8, and host a first-round playoff game in three weeks. The eight automatic qualifiers will be seeded 1-8, based on MaxPreps rankings.

The loser of tonight’s game will almost certainly receive an at-large bid to the state playoffs, but will be seeded 9-16, and have to travel in the first round. Those seeds will also be determined by MaxPreps rankings.

As of this week, Lakeland is ranked fifth, Sandpoint sixth in 4A by MaxPreps. So before the format was changed, both teams could have hosted first-round playoff games, based on MaxPreps rankings — but now one will have to travel.

IHSAA executive director Ty Jones said 4A coaches and athletic directors voted on the playoff format last December, and submitted it to the IHSAA, where its board of directors voted to approve it.

But only recently did someone notice they had sent the “wrong” 4A bracket to the IHSAA, Jones said. And Jones said after “multiple people” confirmed the original bracket was the wrong bracket, the current bracket was submitted to the IHSAA, and approved by the board.

Under the original, “wrong” 4A bracket, there were 12 automatic bids statewide — but still only one from the 4A IEL. However, only the five league champs would be seeded 1-5; the other 11 teams that qualified for the playoffs would be seeded 6-16, based on MaxPreps rankings.

Sandpoint has won two of three after an 0-2 start. Last week the Bulldogs won 51-13 at Lake City, a team Lakeland beat 30-21 in its second game. Coeur d’Alene beat Sandpoint 27-15 and Lakeland 14-13.

There’s also a key game in the 5A Inland Empire League tonight, as Post Falls plays host to Lewiston in their league opener. The other 5A IEL game is Saturday afternoon, Lake City at Coeur d’Alene at 1 p.m., due to a shortage of refs.

As for the picks, Mark and Jason both went 4-2 last week. For the season, Jason is 32-6, Mark 31-7.

Mark was just off on his upset special last week (Lake City over Sandpoint), but sorta made up for it when Post Falls came through against Mt. Spokane.

That’s his story, at least, and he’s sticking to it.

HIGH SCHOOL

TONIGHT’S GAMES

All at 7 p.m.

Lewiston (5-1, 0-0 5A IEL) at Post Falls (4-2, 0-0)

NELKE: Lewiston is averaging 50 points per game, against teams with a combined record of 15-19. Post Falls’ opponents are a combined 18-18. Can the Trojans slow down the Bengals’ offense?

Post Falls, 32-28

ELLIOTT: Post Falls has the opportunity to make a large statement in its first league game of the season.

Lewiston, 30-28

Sandpoint (2-3, 0-0 4A IEL) at Lakeland (6-1, 0-0)

NELKE: Sandpoint is playing lately more like the Bulldog team many expected this year. But Lakeland is playing at home, and this would be a program-defining win for the Hawks. Since I’m already 0-2 picking Sandpoint games, maybe this will help Lakeland.

Sandpoint, 28-26

ELLIOTT: There's just something about Lakeland at home that makes it tough to pick against the Hawks.

Lakeland, 31-28

Lethbridge at Timberlake (3-2)

NELKE: At least the Tigers don’t have to contend with their visitors from Alberta lining up with 12 players and having unlimited men in motion on offense.

Timberlake, 36-22

ELLIOTT: Timberlake isn't going to lose back-to-back games on its home field.

Timberlake, 33-20

St. Maries (0-5, 0-1 Central Idaho League) at Grangeville (3-3, 2-0)

NELKE: This game could be for a state 2A playoff berth.

Grangeville, 26-16

ELLIOTT: Grangeville's a tough place to play any time of the year.

Grangeville 20-18

Lakeside (1-4, 1-4 North Star League) vs. Wallace (3-2, 3-2) at Sather Field, Silverton

NELKE: Wallace won the first meeting 56-14 five weeks ago.

Wallace, 56-14

ELLIOTT: This game is a lot closer than the first matchup. But it's also homecoming for the Miners.

Wallace, 44-30.

SATURDAY’S GAME

Lake City (2-4, 0-0 5A IEL) at Coeur d’Alene (3-3, 0-0), 1 p.m.

NELKE: Both teams are coming off double-digit losses at home last week. Who bounces back best?

Coeur d’Alene, 32-14

ELLIOTT: Coeur d'Alene, but close.

Coeur d'Alene, 34-20