GRIDIRON GUESSES Dec. 1, 2023: A gutsy decision; maybe one for the gut next year?

By Press staff

Jason Elliott could have gone for the tie, and won.

But he gambled, and won anyway.

While Mark Nelke and Josh McDonald picked the Coeur d’Alene Vikings to beat Highland of Pocatello in the state 5A championship football game two weeks ago, Jason went against the grain and picked the Rams, who were playing on their “home” turf, Holt Arena in Pocatello.

Jason, who held a one-game lead with one game to pick heading into the final week, would have won by picking Coeur d’Alene, like Mark and Josh did.

But he went against the hometown team, “because I thought it would be funny if we ended up tied,” he explained, perhaps tongue in cheek.

Or perhaps not.

Had Highland lost, Jason and Mark would have ended up tied. But the Rams prevailed in a 35-28 thriller.

In any event, Jason ended up the winner of Season Six of Gridiron Guesses, with an overall record of 60-22. Mark was second at 58-24. Josh in his rookie season of Guesses, finished 55-27.

The first-place prize — all the take-and-bake pizzas Jason can eat — remains ceremonial.

Maybe next year …