Gridiron Guesses Sept. 19, 2025: Lakeland-Post Falls should be a Battle, no matter what you call it

The “Battle of the Rathdrum Prairie” has become “The Battle of the Housing and Business Developments Where There Was Once Prairie.” 

Nevertheless, tonight’s matchup pitting 5A Lakeland (4-0) at 6A Post Falls (2-1), scheduled for 7 p.m. at Trojan Stadium, is shaping up as an entertaining one. 

Three of Lakeland’s four wins this year have been by double digits. The Hawks’ closest game was a 28-19 triumph over Lake City. 

Post Falls needed a last-minute comeback last week to beat Eastmont of East Wenatchee, Wash., 22-21. 

“Lakeland, they’re a really good team,” Post Falls coach Blaine Bennett said. “They had a great season last year and made a nice run in the playoffs. It will be a good game for sure.”

"Post Falls is definitely going to be a big challenge for us," Lakeland coach Mike Schroeder said. "They're bigger in size and they've got some really good speed. We'll have to play a great game."

Post Falls has won 10 of the last 11 vs. Lakeland. The Trojans eked out a 21-20 victory at Rathdrum last year. Lakeland won in 2022 at home. Lakeland’s last win at Post Falls came in 2007. 

Also tonight, Lake City is looking for its first win, playing host to Gig Harbor (Wash.), a team the Timberwolves beat 35-16 on the road last season. 

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

As for the picks, Mark Nelke went 7-0, Josh McDonald 5-2, Jason Elliott 4-3. 

For the season, Mark is 24-6, Josh 22-8, Jason 18-12.

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

All at 7 p.m. 

Gig Harbor (1-1) at Lake City (0-3) 

NELKE: If the Timberwolves can just find the end zone ... 

Lake City, 20-18 

ELLIOTT: Lake City looked a lot better than its record indicates against Lakeland.

Lake City, 24-22

McDONALD: The Wolves need a win. Maybe they finally get one this week.  

Lake City, 17-14

Lakeland (4-0) at Post Falls (2-1) 

NELKE: Maybe because the game is on the Trojans’ home field ... 

Post Falls, 21-20 

ELLIOTT: Lakeland is playing some great football right now. 

Lakeland, 27-19

McDONALD: The last time Lakeland won this game was 2022, since then there have been numerous one-score games and several blowouts. My guess is we get another one of those classic prairie matchups.  

Post Falls, 24-21

Kellogg (1-1) at Timberlake (0-4) 

NELKE: Thinking the Tigers are unhappy with their un-Timberlake-like 0-4 record ... 

Timberlake, 28-20 

ELLIOTT: Against its former Intermountain League rival, Timberlake figures it out, right?

Timberlake, 24-22

McDONALD: Timberlake did itself no favors in its early season scheduling, but the Tigers finally get a win this week against a Wildcat team that struggles to finish defensive plays and lacks true playmakers outside of their top three weapons.  

Timberlake, 35-14

St. Maries (3-1) at Moscow (3-1) 

NELKE: If the 3A Lumberjacks could pull this off against the 5A (OK 4A in football) Bears ... 

Moscow, 28-20 

ELLIOTT: If the Lumberjacks can keep it close ...

Moscow, 26-20

McDONALD: The Bears have been solid since losing in a zero-week clash with Grangeville. Last week, St. Maries took Kellogg’s best punch and then rallied spectacularly. The Bears’ depth may be an issue, but the Lumberjacks definitely have the athletes to compete.  

Moscow, 24-16

Troy (0-3) vs. Lakeside (0-3) at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley 

NELKE: Lakeside, 24-18 

ELLIOTT: A tough season gets tougher ...

Troy, 26-20

McDONALD: Knights finally break into the W column.  

Lakeside, 30-18

Wallace (3-0) at St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse (1-1) 

NELKE: Wallace beat Soap Lake (Wash.) 68-0 two weeks ago. SJEL lost to Soap Lake 46-22 last week. Depends on how mad Wallace is tonight. 

Wallace, 68-22 

ELLIOTT:  A member of the media mentioned something about Wallace putting up 150 points tonight to prove a point. They won't, but they'll try.

Wallace, 46-0

McDONALD:  The Miners haven’t played in a competitive game this season, due largely to their ability to score fast. This game isn’t going to be any different.  

Wallace, 65-12

Coeur du Christ (3-0) at Logos (3-1) 

NELKE: The Saints, who as it turned out didn't play last week, have turned some heads with their 3-0 start. A win, on the road, against a District II team, would turn some more. 

Logos, 36-34 

ELLIOTT: Something about this Coeur du Christ team makes me think it will have a pretty good season.

Coeur du Christ, 26-20

McDONALD: The Saints may be one of the better eight-man squads in the panhandle, but the Knights of Moscow have been among 2A’s very best for the past few seasons. Coming off a loss last weekend, I think Logos gets back on track, but this is a valuable game for the Saints.  

Logos, 50-30