Gridiron Guesses: Small slate, but huge games on tap this week

By MARK NELKE

and JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writers

Fireworks filled the sky in Post Falls last Friday night, as the Trojans knocked off the Lewiston Bengals 42-25 in a thriller of a 5A Inland Empire League football opener.

This Friday, Post Falls (5-2) can take a huge step toward a top seed from the North in the state 5A playoffs with a win over the visiting Coeur d’Alene Vikings (4-3, 1-0 5A IEL).

"It's a huge game for both teams, which it usually is," Post Falls coach Blaine Bennett said. "Coeur d'Alene is always tough, no matter what their record is. We're going to have to come out and play a great game. (Coeur d'Alene) Coach (Shawn) Amos always has them ready to play."

Last year, Post Falls upset Coeur d’Alene 32-27 at Viking Field, which eventually led to a three-team Kansas tiebreaker for two playoff berths.

Overall, Coeur d’Alene has won 10 of the last 13 vs. Post Falls.

But Cd’A coach Shawn Amos was concerned after last week’s game with Lake City — the Vikings did win, 14-2, but failed to score an offensive touchdown. He said his team has regressed the past two weeks.

“In our league, they’re all must-wins,” Amos said. “With three league games, you lose one game, you’re in a serious hole, and we go on the road for two straight weeks (at Post Falls on Friday, and at Lewiston next Friday). It was very ugly, but in the end, we’re 1-0 in league, and we get to move on and take on Post Falls.”

Lake City played harder and with more emotion last week than in any game this season, and had a chance to upset Coeur d’Alene, but the Timberwolves were undone by five turnovers — and a stingy Vikings goal-line defense.

This Friday, Lake City (2-5, 0-1 5A IEL) plays at Lewiston (5-2, 0-1 5A), looking to keep its playoff hopes alive.

“I think we figured some things out, and we’ve got two games left to put it together. Which we can, for sure. I watched those two other teams (Post Falls and Lewiston) last night; they’re tough, but I think we’re tough, too.”

Lakeland, coming off last week’s 38-13 home loss to Sandpoint, is idle this week, then travels to winless Moscow next Friday, hoping to resume some momentum heading into the state 4A playoffs.

As for the picks, Mark went 5-1 last week after correctly picking Post Falls and Sandpoint in Inland Empire League games. Jason went 3-3. For the season, Mark leads at 36-8, followed by Jason at 35-9.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Thursday’s game

Priest River (2-4, 1-1 Central Idaho League) at St. Maries (1-5, 1-1 CIL), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Well look who inserted itself into the state 2A playoff conversation last week: St. Maries, with its first win over Grangeville since its state title season of 2016. The conversation continues …

St. Maries, 24-12

ELLIOTT: Winning at Grangeville is a big deal for the Lumberjacks. Maybe just as big as Priest River getting a win at St. Maries?

Priest River, 24-22

Friday’s Games

Coeur d’Alene (4-3, 1-0 IEL) at Post Falls (5-2, 1-0 5A IEL), 7 p.m.

NELKE: This is Post Falls’ chance to make a “statement.”

Post Falls, 36-24

ELLIOTT: Hopefully it won't be dumping snow at kickoff like it was the last time these two collided at Post Falls High.

Post Falls, 28-24

Lake City (2-5, 0-1 5A IEL) at Lewiston (5-2, 0-1 5A IEL), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Minus the turnovers, if Lake City can play with similar emotion and intensity this week … but it’s a huge game for Lewiston as well.

Lewiston, 36-24

ELLIOTT: Lewiston, 36-28

Mullan/St. Regis JV at Kootenai, 7 p.m.

NELKE: Kootenai had to forfeit the first meeting vs. the top team in the North Star League due to lack of numbers. This week, the Warriors will forfeit to the Mullan/St. Regis varsity, and will face the Tigers/Tigers junior varsity.

Mullan/St. Regis JV, 36-6

ELLIOTT: Mullan/St. Regis JV, 32-20

Lakeside (1-5) at Lewis County (4-2), 7 p.m.

NELKE: Lewis County, 38-18

ELLIOTT: Lewis County, 40-32