GRIDIRON GUESSES Nov. 14, 2025: Coeur d'Alene in familiar territory in semis; it's a first for Wallace since 1986

Being in the semifinals of the state high school football playoffs is nothing new for the Coeur d’Alene Vikings. 

When Coeur d’Alene (7-3) faces the Timberline Wolves (9-1) of Boise tonight at 6 p.m. PST in the state 6A semifinals at Dona Larsen Park in Boise, the Vikings will be in the semifinals for the third straight season, and for the 12th time in the last 17 seasons, which have included 16 state playoff appearances.  

“To get a state trophy is a big deal,” Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos said. “A lot of work, all through the summer, these kids are willing to pay the price to get to this point. Next step ... Timberline.” 

All told, it will be Coeur d’Alene’s 13th trip to the state semifinals under Amos, who is in his 29th season as Viking coach.  

Timberline, meanwhile, is in the state semifinals for the first time since the school opened in August 1998. 

Along the way, the Wolves defeated what was considered the top two teams in the 6A Southern Idaho Conference in successive weeks. 

On Oct. 17, Timberline beat Rocky Mountain of Meridian 31-20 at the Wolves’ home field, Dona Larsen Park. 

The following week, Timberline won 35-33 at Eagle to earn the right to play at home in the quarterfinals and semifinals, following a first-round bye. 

"They have an incredible, athletic quarterback, great receivers,” Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos said. “They’re really having a dream season for them. They are going to be a real challenge.” 

The way 6A coaches set up their 12-team playoff bracket, the top team in the 6A Inland Empire League (usually Coeur d’Alene) earns a first-round bye, a home game in the quarterfinals, and travels or plays at home in the semifinals in alternate years. 

Two years ago, Coeur d’Alene won at Eagle in the semis. Last year, Coeur d’Alene lost at home to Eagle in the semis. 

According to MaxPreps stats, Timberline senior quarterback Jack Brant, who has verbally committed to UC Davis, has passed for 2,156 yards and 26 touchdowns, with just one interception. 

He’s also the Wolves’ second-leading rusher, with 540 yards and 11 touchdowns. Junior Brody Engroff has rushed for 661 yards and one score. 

Senior Hudson Lewis, a Utah commit and the reigning state 6A 100-meter champion, has 61 catches for 1,021 yards and 14 touchdowns. Lewis had previously committed to Washington State. 

Meanwhile, the high-scoring Wallace Miners are in the state semifinals for the first time since 1986.

The Miners (9-2) will play Tri-Valley (8-2) on Saturday at noon PST in the state 1A semis at Cambridge High. 

Wallace is averaging 66 points in its two playoff games, including a 68-66 overtime win at Genesee last week in the quarterfinals. The Miners downed Salmon River 64-58 in a first-round game in Silverton. 

Wallace is bidding for its first appearance in the state title game since 1986, when the Miners lost to Jerome in the Minidome in Pocatello. 

The Miners are averaging 59.6 points per game, and have scored 58 or more points in nine of their 11 games. 

Wallace sophomore Cooper Miller has passed for 2,678 yards and 39 touchdowns, with one interception. He’s also rushed for 1,416 yards and 27 TDs.  

Miners junior Henry Larson has 59 catches for 1,195 yards and 17 touchdowns. Sophomore Lennox Radford has 10 TD catches and 10 rushing touchdowns. 

As for the picks, Josh McDonald went 3-1 last week, and Mark Nelke and Jason Elliott each went 2-2.

For the season, Mark and Josh are 58-22, and Jason is 56-24.

FRIDAY’S GAME 

Coeur d’Alene (7-3) vs. Timberline (9-1), 6 p.m. PST at Dona Larsen Park, Boise 

NELKE: Timberline is livin’ the dream. Coeur d’Alene has the playoff experience. 

Coeur d’Alene, 28-21 

ELLIOTT: At this point in the season, whoever is playing for Coeur d'Alene is a seasoned pro in big-game situations. 

Coeur d'Alene, 24-22

McDONALD:  The Vikings have been on a roll over the past four weeks, but this week they get an opponent in Timberline that's looked every bit a contender all season long. I've known a lot of the guys on this team since their Cd'A Junior Tackle days, so hopefully I'm eating crow tonight.

Timberline, 31-28

SATURDAY’S GAME 

Wallace (9-2) vs. Tri-Valley (8-2), noon at Cambridge High 

NELKE: And to think, the North Star League nearly had two teams in the state 1A semifinals. 

Wallace, 60-58 

ELLIOTT: Wallace is playing some good football right now. How this offense travels is to be determined.

Wallace, 48-44

McDONALD:  Hopefully fans are ready for another shootout. The question is, will Wallace get a few timely stops like it did a week ago? I think the answer is yes.

Wallace, 60-54