Gridiron Guesses Sept. 20, 2024: Post Falls, Lakeland hope to put up a battle

As Post Falls (enrollment 1,572 in grades 9-12) has gotten bigger, the Battle of the Prairie football game against Lakeland (enrollment 863) hasn’t been as much of a battle in recent years.  

Post Falls has won 13 of the last 15 meetings, though Lakeland did win two years ago at home, 31-28. 

Tonight could indeed be a battle again, when Post Falls (3-0) travels to Lakeland (3-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Corbit Field. 

Both are coming off low-scoring games. 

Post Falls struggled offensively, and relied on its defense to eke out a 14-7 win over Eastmont in East Wenatchee, Wash. 

Lakeland suffered its first loss last week, falling 14-7 at home to a strong Frenchtown (Mont.) squad. 

“Lakeland always does a great job defensively,” Post Falls coach Blaine Bennett said. "We’ve got to get going offensively. It's great to be able to learn from a loss, but it’s way easier to learn from a win.” 

Lake City, which nearly pulled off the upset of the year last week in a 13-7 loss to second-ranked Highland of Pocatello, travels to western Washington to face Gig Harbor. 

Coeur d’Alene is idle this week, then travels to Sandpoint next Friday. 

Timberlake travels to Kellogg tonight for the first meeting since 2021, when both were in the Intermountain League. Kellogg dropped down a classification in 2022, and is in its third year in the Central Idaho League. 

As for the picks, Mark Nelke went 7-1, Jason Elliott 6-2, Josh McDonald 5-3.  

For the season, Mark and Jason are both 23-6, Josh 18-11.

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

All at 7 p.m. 

Lake City (1-2) at Gig Harbor (Wash.) (1-1) 

NELKE: One of the better nicknames out there, the Tides have a 14-10 win over Peninsula and a 41-0 loss to Laguna Beach (Calif.) on their resume. If the Timberwolves can find some offense to pair with a fairly stingy defense ... 

Gig Harbor, 20-13 

ELLIOTT: Lake City has put some things together in recent weeks at home. We'll see if it travels.

Gig Harbor, 28-20

McDONALD: This one is hard to gauge. Lake City almost pulled off a huge upset last week, but will that momentum carry into this week after a long road trip? I like the Timberwolves here in a low-scoring game. 

Lake City, 14-10 

Post Falls (3-0) at Lakeland (3-1) 

NELKE: Hoping this one lives up to the pregame hype (albeit created by us) ... 

Post Falls, 31-28 

ELLIOTT: If Lakeland can keep it close, this might be fun to watch.

Post Falls, 35-20

McDONALD: Coming off a tough loss, things are gonna get worse for Lakeland before they get better. Post Falls looks like a legit 6A contender this year. 

Post Falls, 35-14 

Timberlake (0-4) at Kellogg (1-2) 

NELKE: Timberlake went through the gauntlet the first four weeks. The first win comes tonight. 

Timberlake, 34-16 

ELLIOTT: Timberlake, with a little shorter road trip this time around, finds a way.

Timberlake, 30-20

McDONALD: Two teams in need of momentum. Timberlake has a lethal rushing attack, but Kellogg’s defense is built to stop the run when the Wildcats are fully healthy — which they should be this week. I know Timberlake is hungry for its first win, but I like the Wildcats at home. 

Kellogg, 30-28 

Moscow (4-0) at St. Maries (0-3) 

NELKE: The Bears, who petitioned down a classification this year and next in football in an effort to pump life back into the program, are averaging 35.5 points per game. 

Moscow, 35-14 

ELLIOTT: Could be another tough night for the Lumberjacks.

Moscow, 28-14

McDONALD: St. Maries’ secondary is going to have its hands full with Noah Valasco and that Bear offense. 

Moscow, 35-7 

Coeur du Christ (0-3, 0-2 North Star League) at Clark Fork (0-2, 0-2) 

NELKE: The visiting first-year Saints nearly picked up their first victory in program history last week at Wellpinit (Wash.). Coeur du Christ gets it done this week. 

Coeur du Christ, 36-18 

ELLIOTT: If it's close, Clark Fork might have more experience.

Clark Fork, 33-30

McDONALD: Neither of these squads have been able to put a win together ... I think Clark Fork has the edge here. 

Clark Fork, 38-32 

St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse (0-2) vs. Wallace (3-1) at Sather Field, Silverton 

NELKE: The three-town visitors from southeast Washington have been outscored 124-18 in two games. The Miners look to bounce back following a showdown loss (70-48) to Lakeside. 

Wallace, 42-18 

ELLIOTT: Wallace seemed to have a few things figured out offensively last week before Lakeside pulled away. I don't think that happens again.

Wallace, 44-0

McDONALD: Wallace will probably be licking its wounds and taking some frustrations out from last week’s loss to Lakeside. 

Wallace, 55-12