Gridiron Guesses Sept. 6, 2024: Post Falls, Sandpoint usually put on a show

If the first week or two is any indication, tonight’s Post Falls-Sandpoint nonleague football game, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Trojan Stadium, figures to be a shootout. 

Post Falls scored 47 points on Lewiston in a 20-point victory in its opener. 

Sandpoint has opened with wins over Twin Falls (36-26) and St. Maries (54-14). 

Sandpoint, now a 5A school, and St. Maries, now a 3A school, met last week for the first time since 1988. 

(FYI, when Post Falls and Sandpoint collided in 1988, the Trojans won 19-13 at Sandpoint, when both were competing for a playoff spot in what was then called A-1 Division II. Post Falls has been one division higher than Sandpoint for the past two decades. 

What does that 1988 meeting mean for tonight? Absolutely nothing! But since we did all that research, might as well share.) 

Among other games, Lake City looks to bounce back from last week’s disappointing 24-14 loss to Lakeland in its season opener, when the Timberwolves play host to Wenatchee. 

And Lakeland plays one of those measuring-stick games tonight at home against Weiser, from the tough Snake River Valley Conference.

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

Wenatchee (0-0) at Lake City (0-1), 7 p.m. 

NELKE: The visiting Panthers are coming off a 4-6 season. I’d forgotten these teams have met twice before (research!), with Lake City winning in 2010 and ‘11. 

Wenatchee, 14-12 

ELLIOTT: Lake City is due for a breakout game. Might as well be tonight.

Lake City, 20-18

McDONALD: This one is a toss-up. Both teams are coming off less-than-stellar seasons, and Lake City didn’t do a lot to inspire confidence last week in its loss to Lakeland. I’ll give the nod to the Timberwolves, who need to right the ship before they host Highland. 

Lake City, 21-17 

Sandpoint (2-0) at Post Falls (1-0), 7 p.m. 

NELKE: Post Falls has won 15 of the last 17 meetings with Sandpoint. The Bulldogs’ lone wins came in 2015 and ‘21, which Josh will allude to below. 

Post Falls, 47-45 

ELLIOTT:  Post Falls looked the part of a playoff contender last week. Sandpoint could be as well, but the Trojans might have a few more dudes.

Post Falls, 35-33

McDONALD: This has got to be the game of the week. The Trojans have largely owned this matchup in recent years. However, the last two times Sandpoint beat Post Falls, the Bulldogs season ended with them playing for a state title. Feels like this year could be another one of those special years. 

Sandpoint, 31-28 

Weiser (0-1) at Lakeland (2-0), 7 p.m. 

NELKE: If Lakeland really fancies itself as a team that can make a run in the playoffs, this is the kind of tough test the Hawks must pass along the way. Weiser lost 9-6 to Buhl last week. 

Lakeland, 14-12 

ELLIOTT: Lakeland needs a game like this.

Lakeland, 20-14

McDONALD: Fans of low-scoring, defensive battles should love this one. The perennial contender Wolverines lost to Buhl last week 9-6. Lakeland is riding some momentum after winning its first two, but Weiser may be the Hawks’ best competition to date. 

Lakeland, 13-7 

Timberlake (0-2) at West Valley (0-0), 7 p.m. 

NELKE: West Valley, 7-5 last year, is playing in its season opener. Timberlake already has two games under its belt. This will be the first football meeting between the schools. 

West Valley, 24-22 

ELLIOTT: Timberlake won't soon forget letting one slip from its hands last week.

Timberlake, 36-34

McDONALD: The Tigers’ loss to Grangeville was surprising in theory, but after watching that game, it’s easy to see that this isn’t the normal Timberlake squad we’ve come to expect. 

West Valley, 28-14 

St. Maries (0-1) at Bonners Ferry (0-2), 7 p.m. 

NELKE: The Badgers, who lost 41-0 at home to Lakeland in its opener, lost 39-6 to Lincoln County (Mont.) last week. 

St. Maries, 28-16 

ELLIOTT:  St. Maries gets back on track with a big win.

St. Maries, 34-14

McDONALD: Gimme the ‘Jacks. 

St. Maries, 24-8 

Wallace (2-0, 1-0 North Star League) at Clark Fork (0-1, 0-1), 7 p.m. 

NELKE: The Miners have scored 102 points in their first two games. The Wampus Cats lost 54-6 to Lakeside last week. 

Wallace, 54-6 

ELLIOTT: The construction around Wallace is almost over. The Miners might be back.

Wallace, 60-20

McDONALD: The Miners have been very good on both sides of the football so far this season. Clark Fork on the road has historically been a tough place to play, but Lakeside hung 54 on the Wampus Cats up there a week ago. The Miners should win by a lot. 

Wallace, 60-14 

Kellogg (0-1) at North Fremont (1-0), 6 p.m. PDT 

NELKE: The Huskies of Ashton, ranked third in 3A in this week’s state media poll, beat Bear Lake 16-0 last week. North Fremont reached the state semifinals last year. Kellogg was idle last week after losing to Moscow 43-0 in its opener. 

North Fremont, 34-12 

ELLIOTT: Maybe next week.

North Fremont, 43-0

McDONALD: This is my optimistic take. The Wildcats are coming into this game with a handful of major injuries, against a ranked opponent, seven hours away from home. It just feels like a long night. 

North Fremont, 35-14