Gridiron Guesses Oct. 15, 2026: Top-ranked Coeur d'Alene braces for challenge from Lake City

After defeating then-No. 1 ranked Rigby two weeks ago, the now top-ranked Coeur d'Alene Vikings had a bye last week to recover — and perhaps reconfigure. 

"The bye week was good for us, but we have lost three really good seniors for the season," Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said. "The bye week allowed us some time to adjust to better utilize our strengths."  

Hudson Gray, a wide receiver/defensive back was lost with a shoulder injury early in the year. Maddox Lindquist, another wide receiver/defensive back, tore his ACL against Lewiston three weeks ago. Ben Murray, a star linebacker whom the Vikings had big plans for at receiver and running back as well, re-injured his shoulder early against Rigby two weeks ago. 

Coeur d'Alene (7-0) returns to action Friday at home to open  

6A Inland Empire League play against Lake City (5-2, 1-0 6A IEL), in a matchup which figures to decide the league title. 

Lake City's five wins are its most in a season since 2014, when the Timberwolves reached the state semifinals and finished 9-2. 

"Lake City is having its best season in a long time," Amos said. "They have some talented players that we will have to contain." 

Lake City has had injuries as well, of course. The Timberwolves started their third quarterback of the year in their last two games. 

Lake City took a big step last week toward wrapping up its first state playoff berth since 2019 in the three-team 6A IEL with a 37-7 win over Post Falls, though the Trojans will have some say in that next week when they host Coeur d'Alene.   

The top two teams advance to the 12-team state 6A playoffs. 

"It means a lot to be where we're at," fourth-year Lake City coach Byron Hout said. "This team is special. They play for each other, they love each other. Doesn't matter who's playing — first string, second string, third string, fourth string — they trust each other, they stay positive, they celebrate each other's successes. They pick each other up when they're down. You don't get to be around a lot of times like this, so I'm very proud of this team. We have a lot on the line still, and we're excited." 

Coeur d'Alene has won 12 straight over Lake City, and 18 of the last 19. Lake City's last win was 45-42 in overtime in 2014 at Coeur d'Alene. 

"They're the No. 1 team in the state for a reason," Hout said of the Vikings. "Very physical team, playing with a lot of confidence. They have a lot of team speed. So, not only are they physical, they're fast." 

Post Falls (0-7) travels to play Timberline (1-6) tonight at Dona Larsen Park in Boise. Timberline, hit hard by graduation after beating Coeur d'Alene in the semifinals to advance to the state title game last year, forfeited last week's game against Kuna ..... following allegations that some members of the football team sent violent social media messages about a female student in a group chat. 

Lakeland (3-4, 1-0 5A IEL), which won at Lewiston last week, takes a break from league play this week, visiting Moscow, while Lewiston (3-4, 0-1) travels to Sandpoint (5-2, 0-0). 

As for the picks, Mark Nelke and Jason Elliott each went 5-1; Josh McDonald was 4-2. For the season, Mark and Jason are 47-13, Josh 46-14. 

FRIDAY'S GAMES 

All at 7 p.m. 

Lake City (5-2, 1-0 6A Inland Empire League) at Coeur d'Alene (7-0, 0-0) 

NELKE: This should be a good game, but nobody's really slowed down Coeur d'Alene, whoever the Vikings put out there. 

Coeur d'Alene, 36-14

ELLIOTT: Lake City has the ability to keep it close and will. But Coeur d'Alene is just loaded.

Coeur d'Alene, 34-20

McDONALD:  The Timberwolves effectively locked up a playoff spot with their win last week and have been a lot of fun to watch this season, but that won’t be enough this week against the best squad in Idaho.   

Coeur d'Alene, 35-14

Post Falls (0-7) vs. Timberline (1-6) at Dona Larsen Park, Boise 

NELKE: Post Falls played well for a while last week against Lake City, before the game got away from the Trojans. 

Timberline, 21-14 

ELLIOTT: Timberline, 28-20

McDONALD:  With everything going on with Timberline High School, this is probably the Trojans best chance to get a road win this season.   

Post Falls, 28-21

Lakeland (3-4) at Moscow (1-6) 

NELKE: The Bears raised some eyebrows by taking Bonners Ferry to double overtime last week before falling 38-37 on a two-point conversion in the Intermountain League opener. 

Lakeland, 28-14 

ELLIOTT: Lakeland showed its toughness out of the bye at Lewiston last week.

Lakeland, 28-20

McDONALD: The Hawks made a pretty big statement last week, knocking off Lewiston. This week they continue their winning ways against Moscow.   

Lakeland, 35-16

Timberlake (3-4, 0-0 Intermountain League) at Bonners Ferry (4-3, 1-0) 

NELKE: Could we get another eyebrow-raiser in the IML? 

Bonners Ferry, 26-19 

ELLIOTT: Might be a tough one for Timberlake ...

Bonners Ferry, 28-20

McDONALD: This might be one of the more underrated contests this week. I’ll take the Badgers in a tight conference-clinching game.   

Bonners Ferry, 28-21

Priest River (5-1, 3-0 Central Idaho League) at St. Maries (1-5, 1-2) 

NELKE: Priest River, 46-12 

ELLIOTT: Tough season gets a lot tougher in St. Maries.

Priest River, 35-20

McDONALD:  The Spartans look every bit good enough to repeat as CIL champs.   

Priest River, 55-12

Kellogg (0-7, 0-3 CIL) at Orofino (0-7, 0-3) 

NELKE: Kellogg, 12-6 

ELLIOTT: Orofino, 12-6

McDONALD:  This one might be as ugly as a pair of bowling shoes, but it’s probably the Wildcats’ best opportunity to get a win.   

Kellogg, 24-16

Wallace (7-0) vs. Coeur du Christ (7-0) at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley 

NELKE: Though it's not a league game anymore, this should still be a fun one to watch. 

Coeur du Christ, 72-68 

ELLIOTT: Both teams are primed for deep playoff runs ... 

Wallace, 70-68

McDONALD: This one is hard to predict. Wallace has shown an ability to score at will, but the Saints might be more battled tested. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was decided by a special teams or defensive play. 

Wallace, 40-38

STANDINGS  

6A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE  

                           League      Overall  

    W    L    W    L  

Coeur d’Alene    0    0    7    0   

Lake City     1    0    5    2   

Post Falls    0    1    0    7 

Friday’s Games

Lake City at Coeur d’Alene

Post Falls at Timberline

5A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE  

             League       Overall  

    W    L    W    L  

Lakeland    1    0    3    4  

Sandpoint     0    0    5    2   

Lewiston     0    1    3    4   

Friday’s Games 

Lakeland at Moscow

Lewiston at Sandpoint

INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE  

             League       Overall  

    W    L    W    L  

Bonners Ferry     1    0    4    3  

Timberlake     0    0    3    4  

Moscow    0    1    1    6 

Friday’s Games 

Timberlake at Bonners Ferry 

Lakeland at Moscow

CENTRAL IDAHO LEAGUE  

          League       Overall  

    W    L    W    L  

Priest River    3    0    5    1  

Grangeville     3    0    6    1  

Logos    2    1    6    1 

St. Maries     1    2    1    5   

Orofino     0    3    0    7 

Kellogg     0    3    0    6  

Friday’s Games 

Kellogg at Orofino

Grangeville at Logos

Priest River at St. Maries

SCENIC IDAHO 

CONFERENCE 

         League       Overall  

    W    L    W    L  

Wallace    0    0    7    0  

Lakeside    0    0    1    6   

Friday’s Game

Wallace vs. Coeur du Christ at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley

Lakeside is idle

NORTH STAR LEAGUE  

              League       Overall  

    W    L    W    L  

Coeur du Christ    1    0    7    0   

Clark Fork    0    1    3    3  

Friday’s Game 

Wallace vs. Coeur du Christ at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley

Clark Fork is idle