GRIDIRON GUESSES Aug. 28, 2026: Post Falls, Timberlake, St. Maries, Lakeside join the fun

Most area teams kicked off their seasons last week. 

Post Falls is among those joining the party tonight. 

The 6A Trojans play host to 5A Lewiston at 7 at Trojan Stadium. 

Post Falls is looking to bounce back from a 3-6 season in 2025.  

Lewiston finished just 3-7, but beat Sandpoint in 5A Inland Empire League play en route to a three-way tie for the league title, then beat Lakeland in a Kansas tiebreaker. Lewiston then lost at home to the Hawks four days later in a first-round playoff game. 

Senior Philip Schmitt and junior Griffin Carpenter are vying for the starting quarterback job at Post Falls. Trojans coach Blaine Bennett said the plan is for both to see action tonight. 

Also tonight, Coeur d’Alene (1-0) travels to Silverton, Ore., to take on the Foxes, who won last year’s state 5A title in Oregon. It’s the season opener for Silverton, which won 21-14 at Coeur d’Alene in its opener last year. 

Lake City (0-1), coming off a one-point loss at Boise last week, plays host to Lakeland (0-1) tonight. 

Lake City senior quarterback Britton Johnston suffered a lower leg injury late in last week’s game, and will be a game-time decision tonight, Timberwolves coach Byron Hout said. 

In Spirit Lake, Timberlake plays host to St. Maries in the season opener for both teams, and the Timberlake head coaching debut of former Lake City quarterback Bryce Buttz. 

Coeur du Christ (1-0) plays host to Clark Fork (0-0) tonight in Worley in a North Star League game. 

Lakeside also makes its season debut, visiting Clearwater Valley of Kooskia. 

All games kick off at 7 p.m. 

As for the picks, Mark Nelke, Jason Elliott and defending champion Josh McDonald each went 4-1; Mark and Jason picked Bonners Ferry over Kellogg, and Josh had Boise over Lake City.  

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

All 7 p.m. 

Coeur d'Alene (1-0) at Silverton (Ore.) (0-0)

NELKE: It’s hard to go against a defending state champion, especially at home. But the Foxes lost most of their top skill players to graduation, and the Vikings have a game under their belt. 

Coeur d’Alene, 21-14 

ELLIOTT: If the Coeur d'Alene team that showed up in Rathdrum last Friday gets off the bus tonight ...

Coeur d'Alene, 28-20

McDONALD: The Vikings were outfoxed in the is matchup last year, but this team feels different. Should be an absolute banger of a game.  

Coeur d'Alene, 35-28

Lakeland (0-1) at Lake City (0-1)

NELKE: I don’t ever seem to pick this game right. Lakeland has beaten Lake City each of the last four years, so until Lake City does something about it ... 

Lakeland, 17-13 

ELLIOTT: Lakeland looked really good in moments against Coeur d'Alene last week. Lake City played them close last year.

Lake City, 17-16

MCDONALD: This could be a pretty good game, but the Wolves showed some toughness last week in that tight loss that makes me believe they’re going to start winning sooner than not.

Lake City, 28-17

Lewiston (0-0) at Post Falls (0-0)

NELKE: However the situation plays out at quarterback, the Trojans will be determined to put last season behind them. 

Post Falls, 24-20 

ELLIOTT: Both teams are hungry in this matchup.

Lewiston, 24-20

McDONALD:  The Bengals are among the early favorites to compete for a 5A title. Post Falls has a giant question mark at quarterback, but they also have plenty of talent at the skill positions. Might be a tight one, but I think Lewiston pulls it out.  

Lewiston, 21-20

St. Maries (0-0) at Timberlake (0-0)

NELKE: Curious to see what Timberlake looks like under a new coaching staff. Perhaps the Tigers will run one play out of the wing-T, as a homage to the former staff. 

Timberlake, 26-18 

ELLIOTT: Timberlake returns a little more ...

Timberlake, 24-20 

McDONALD: Coach Bryce Buttz is a brilliant schemer and I expect the Tigers to get back to their winning ways. The Lumberjacks are adept at yucking up games, but I don't know if they'll be able to keep up. 

Timberlake, 35-20

Clark Fork (0-0) vs. Coeur du Christ (1-0) at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley

NELKE: Yes, upon further review, Grant Clemens ended up with one more TD pass and more pass yards last after what originally looked like a handoff was actually a pitch (forward) pass. Andre Johansen, with nearly a quarter century of coaching experience in Northern California, takes over as Clark Fork coach. 

Coeur du Christ, 48-16. 

ELLIOTT: Between Grant Clemens and Jon Denke, the Saints just have ways to get going.

Coeur du Christ, 44-20

McDONALD: The Saints' offense is going to be too much for the Wampus Cats.  

Coeur du Christ, 50-18

Lakeside (0-0) at Clearwater Valley (0-0)

NELKE: The Knights, 1-7 last season, are an unknown in more ways than one. The Rams are coming off a 1-8 season. 

Clearwater Valley, 30-26  

ELLIOTT: Somehow and someway, Lakeside finds a way late.

Lakeside, 30-26

McDONALD: The Knights will start their season with a win. 

Lakeside, 45-25