THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: Expect anything at a high school game

In this business, I’ve seen my fair share of things that are a little wacky while out covering a sporting event. 

Tuesday afternoon might have taken the cake — that is if we had one to eat. 

Then again, maybe this kind of stuff just happens for a reason. 

SINCE 2001, I’ve seen countless games at John Drager Field in Mullan, from those games that didn’t seem like they’d end to those that did, in darkness, because the Tigers still don’t have lights on that field. 

While at that first game in Mullan — they were playing Lakeside on that day — I was unaware of just how some of the locals stood on the street that overlooked the field.  

Right before kickoff on that August day, I heard a chainsaw begin to rev up and then cut down two trees that were blocking the view of some of the spectators. 

Since that day, there has been Super Bowl MVPs, a lot of points scored, and a rare 6-man game with Kootenai that saw an offensive lineman score a receiving touchdown.

Just imagine those schools getting together now for one of those games. Kootenai hasn't been able to field a program for the past few years, instead having a co-op with St. Maries. Mullan, which in recent years co-opped with St. Regis (Mont.) in the North Star League, is in its second season of playing a Montana-only schedule as part of its co-op with the Tigers.

Kind of makes you wish it was that Kansas tiebreaker in a driving snowstorm at Teeters Field in Kellogg all over again, doesn’t it? 

WHEN RIVALS collide on the field, no matter if its preseason, regular season, or postseason, chances are they’re going to draw a crowd to come see what the fuss is all about. 

On Tuesday, it goes without saying that the crowd might have found itself a little distracted in the first half of a boys soccer match between Coeur d’Alene and Lake City at the Irma Anderl Soccer Complex at Lake City High.

A little over 20 minutes into the match, some fans and administration at Lake City noticed smoke coming from a nearby home, some 400 feet from where the varsity match was taking place. 

After a few minutes, the referees opted to stop the match and told the players to get to their benches until they deemed it safe. 

Meanwhile, some flames began shooting out of the garage of the home, where all family members were safely out of at the time of the fire. 

The match was delayed again shortly after restarting, but this time as the family’s dog had made its way onto the field and was running around as spectators were trying to catch it. 

Thankfully, nobody was injured and credit to the area fire departments for acting quickly in getting things under control before things got a lot worse. 

Coeur d’Alene and Lake City are scheduled to play again this Tuesday, with the girls game at 4 p.m. at Lake City, and the boys under the lights at Viking Stadium at 6:30 p.m. 

It's still a shame that these teams will have to play a best-of-3 series to determine who will advance — just for a chance to play into — the state 6A tournament due to having only two teams in the Inland Empire League (Post Falls is in its second year playing down to the 5A level in boys and girls soccer), but none of these coaches will make excuses.

But that road to state soccer will involve a long road for either Coeur d'Alene or Lake City, no matter who gets out of here.

Granted, in those other sports like volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball, a best-of-3 championship series gets really interesting toward the end.

Especially, it you get something a little unexpected on the side.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1206 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on 'X', formerly Twitter @JECdAPress.