THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: Can being home help this fall?

No, playing or competing close to home isn’t always easy. 

That being said, it can have its advantages. 

Not that a few teams really need any help in that department. 

AFTER WINNING two straight state high school cross country championships, some might think that the Coeur d’Alene boys program could take a little bit of a hit losing athletes like Zack Cervi-Skinner and Max Cervi-Skinner to graduation. 

Max was third at state last year, with Zack finishing fourth. Both are now competing at Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference. 

Losing that kind of leadership might hurt some programs, but the squad has four other state medalists — top-20 finishers at state — back this year. 

And with the Nike Northwest Invitational being moved from Eagle Island State Park to the Spokane Polo Fields this November, the squad could be a big favorite in that event this fall. 

“It’s fantastic,” said second-year Coeur d’Alene High cross country coach Emry Carr, who also coaches the North Idaho Distance Project club program. “There’s no way you can say it’s not an advantage to be that close to home. We won’t have to travel on a bus for eight hours, or fly to an event.” 

An added benefit, being at home, where fans and friends can come to watch. 

“There’s some logistics and you always want to be together as a team the night before,” Carr said. “If someone gets nervous, you can be around them and help them get comfortable and ready for the race.” 

Coeur d’Alene will get a mini course preview when it competes in the Battle for the 509 meet on Oct. 4 at the Spokane Polo Grounds. 

The Nike Northwest meet will move to The Course Spokane Valley starting in 2026, as will the Bob Firman Invitational, which is also moving from Eagle Island State Park, but won't be held this year.

“We’ve been there and performed really well on the course in previous years,” Carr said. “We’ve been there and know what to expect. We’re nothing but thrilled about it.” 

CAN YOU really tell just how good a team can be with a good preseason in the NFL? 

Probably not. 

Sure, there’s a part of me that is looking forward to seeing just how good this group in Seattle is going to be this season. 

Or maybe the other way around. 

Depending on which expert you want to listen to — and there’s plenty on social media — Seattle can finish anywhere from a playoff spot to last in the NFC West. 

Frankly, nobody really thinks much of new addition Sam Darnold at quarterback, folks think guys like Cooper Kupp are on the decline. 

We’ll see about that. 

Keep in mind, Seattle was a very uncharacteristic 3-6 at home in 2024. 

Chances are, if you can’t play well at home, your team isn’t going to go that far. 

And sure, it was nice to beat Kansas City at home last week, but that result isn’t going to get them anywhere. 

Learning how to win at home again will. 

Hopefully that’s something that will be an advantage once again. 

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on ‘X’, formerly Twitter @JECdAPress.