THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Sometimes, the coach just knows

At this point in the season and postseason, teams try to extend the season by any means necessary.

And who’s to argue, if it works, it works.

But as we get closer to Halloween, those superstitions go a long way.

IN THE final moments of Thursday’s state 3A girls soccer opener, it’s safe to say that either Timberlake or Coeur d’Alene Charter was on the brink of a semifinal game.

That afternoon, it wound up being Timberlake, with senior Charley Hegstad scoring in the 93rd minute of a 4-3 double overtime win.

As for Tiger coach Steve Michael, he admitted he wasn’t quite ready for what could have happened.

“I wasn’t prepared for a penalty kick shootout,” Michael said. “I didn’t have my list of shooters done before the game, so you don’t have to scramble at the end.”

So why not, coach?

“I didn’t have it prepared and wasn’t going to jinx us,” Michael said. “I was determined we were going to win that game and wasn’t going to change it after the end of regulation.”

Michael started the program at Timberlake in 2008. During his time as coach, Timberlake has advanced to state nine times, reaching the title match in 2014. The Tigers have been third at state twice (2010 and 2015).

“I’ve been coaching at Timberlake for 15 years, and this was one of the biggest wins we’ve had,” Michael said. “The girls just did not quit, period. At the end of the night, it’s about the players and they just didn’t give up.”

Timberlake fell to defending champion Fruitland in the semifinals on Friday 1-0 and will play for third place today against American Falls.

EARLIER THIS week, Seattle broadcaster and former Seahawk Brock Huard compared the run of the Seattle Mariners to that of the 2012 Seattle Seahawks.

Both were young teams who found their way late in the year. With the Seahawks, they advanced to the playoffs and the next season, not only contended for a championship, but won the franchise's only Super Bowl in 2013.

No, that doesn't mean Mariner fans can start printing those 2023 World Series tickets and making travel plans, but the pieces are in place.

And that's something that traditonally hasn't always been the case.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.