GRIDIRON GUESSES Aug. 22, 2025: Before we were so rudely interrupted ...

By MARK NELKE 

Sports editor 

The Coeur d’Alene Vikings and Rigby Trojans, who squared off in the season opener last year, nearly met in the last game of the season last year. 

Rigby punched its ticket to the state 6A championship game with a narrow victory over Rocky Mountain of Meridian in a semifinal game. 

However, Coeur d’Alene lost at home to Eagle in their semi. 

(Editor’s note: That’s what I heard, anyway.) 

Rigby went on to beat Eagle the following week for the Trojans’ fourth state title in six seasons. 

Tonight, Coeur d’Alene and Rigby meet in the season opener for the fourth straight season. 

This time, it’s at Rigby High, at 6 p.m. PDT. 

The first two years, the teams met halfway, at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula. 

Last year’s matchup was in Coeur d’Alene. 

But whether the teams meet in Missoula or North Idaho or eastern Idaho, the purpose for such an opener is the same — play a great team in a nonleague game, see what you’ve got, then try to make the necessary adjustments and see how it all plays out. 

“You of course want to win the football game, but it’s a great evaluation,” said Shawn Amos, beginning his 28th season as Coeur d’Alene coach. “We’ll probably play more kids against Rigby than we will as the season progresses, because we need to see some of these kids, and Rigby’s the high mark. Every year it helps our evaluation process.” 

Coeur d’Alene and Rigby have met six times in the last seven seasons. The Vikings have won the last two, including 24-14 at home in 2024. 

This will be Coeur d’Alene’s first trip to Rigby since 2018, their first-ever matchup. 

This weekend used to be a light, Week 0-type opening with just a few teams getting a head start on the season. But this year, most local teams are in action. 

Lake City, Post Falls and Kellogg begin their seasons next week. 

(Another editor’s note: As for last year’s picks, apologies for not posting an update on the final week involving local teams, as well as the final win-loss records for Press scribes Mark Nelke, Jason Elliott and Josh McDonald. But after getting wiped out on a kickoff return and spending the next few months recovering and rehabbing from a broken leg, and with the dawn of a new high school football season upon us, we can do that now. 

Mark, Jason and Josh all went 0-2 on that final week, all picking Coeur d’Alene and Lakeland to advance to state title games. 

For the season, Mark finished in first place with a 60-17 record, Jason was 54-23, Josh 53-24. 

I'll try to get out of the way a little faster next time.) 

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

Coeur d’Alene at Rigby, 6 p.m. 

NELKE: Both teams return their starting quarterbacks — Caden Symons of Coeur d’Alene and Luke Flowers of Rigby. Elsewhere, the Vikings and Rigby reload, as most good teams do. And perhaps the game is a prelude to another matchup in the postseason. 

Coeur d’Alene, 28-24 

ELLIOTT: Wish this one was in Missoula instead. Maybe they'll see each other in the Kibbie Dome in Moscow in November to make up for it.

Coeur d'Alene, 23-20

McDONALD:  There are four teams in the preseason discussions for the 6A title and these are two of them. The Viks have won the previous two matchups, but neither of those have been played at Rigby.

Rigby, 28-24

St. Maries at Lakeland JV, 7 p.m. 

NELKE: Who knows with these matchups between bigger-school JV teams and smaller-school varsity squads. The visiting Lumberjacks are coming off a rough season, but return lots of experience. 

St. Maries, 28-24 

ELLIOTT: St. Maries has some experience back, mixed with a bad taste in its mouth from last season.

St. Maries, 30-24

McDONALD:  The Lumberjacks return a decent core from last year’s team and Lakeland’s JV should give them a good early season test, but experience should win out in this matchup.

St. Maries, 24-20

Wallace at Timberline (Weippe), 7 p.m. 

NELKE: One of three area 2A schools to successfully petition down in football last season, Wallace won the North Star League and advanced to the state 1A playoffs. Timberline, a true 1A school enrollment-wise, is coming off a 1-5 season. 

Wallace, 48-32 

ELLIOTT: Wallace lost its star receiver Julian Davis to graduation. But the Miners have some more pieces to play with from what I've been told.

Wallace, 48-22

McDONALD:  Miners get an easy road win to open the season

Wallace, 70-18

SATURDAY’S GAMES 

Bonners Ferry at Lakeland, 7 p.m. 

NELKE: Last year, in their first meeting since 2016, 5A Lakeland blanked 4A Bonners Ferry 41-0. The host Hawks have a deep playoff run on their minds this year. 

Lakeland, 41-0 

ELLIOTT: If Lakeland can move the ball, they'll cruise. If not, might be closer than we think.

Lakeland, 34-20

McDONALD: Lakeland by a mile.

Lakeland, 41-8

Timberlake vs. Sugar-Salem at Anaconda, Mont., 2 p.m. PDT 

NELKE: With many of their key players returning, the Tigers should be improved this year. Facing the Diggers, winners of six state titles in the last seven years, will be as good a barometer as any. 

Sugar-Salem, 38-28 

ELLIOTT: Tough opener, but the Tigers will be better for it this season.

Sugar-Salem, 42-20

McDONALD:  This simply has not been a good matchup for Kelly Amos’ Tigers, who are 0-3 against the Diggers over the past two seasons. Perhaps Timberlake keeps it close, but Sugar appears ready for another run at the 4A title.

Sugar-Salem, 45-21

Lakeside at Clark Fork, 6 p.m. 

NELKE: Lakeside was on track for a state playoff berth before late-season losses to Coeur du Christ and Wallace, and the Knights’ MaxPreps ranking wasn’t high enough to earn an at-large playoff berth. Lakeside is a bit of a mystery this season, but if the explosiveness from last year returns ... 

Lakeside, 38-28 

ELLIOTT: Lakeside started fast last season. The Knights need to do it again this season.

Lakeside, 44-30

McDONALD:  The Knights are simply too talented, especially on offense, for the Wampus Cats to contend with. Lakeside gets the early NSL dub.

Lakeside, 60-24

Coeur du Christ at Lewis County, 2 p.m. 

NELKE: The Saints, in their first year as a program, surprised some by posting a 3-5 record, including an overtime upset of Lakeside. Curious to see what Year 2 brings. Lewis County finished 2-5 last season.  

Coeur du Christ, 48-20 

ELLIOTT: Coeur du Christ might have the guys to compete for a playoff spot.

Coeur du Christ, 48-28

McDONALD: The Saints came on strong to finish last season after a tough start. This time around, they’ll open with a win and get their season on track early.

Coeur du Christ, 48-30