Gridiron Guesses Sept. 4, 2026: A Lake City homecoming as Central Valley visits Timberwolves

As juniors, Byron Hout and Dante Menard were linemen and teammates on Lake City’s 12-0 state 5A football champions in 2006. 

Earlier, Travis Harmon played two seasons at Lake City, graduating in 2005 after playing his first two high school seasons at St. Maries. 

Tonight, all three will be on same football field, on opposite sidelines — Hout as head coach at Lake City, Menard (offensive coordinator) and Harmon (defensive coordinator) as assistants for the Central Valley Bears, who open their season tonight at 7 at Lake City (1-1). 

"There’s some coaches over there that I’ve known for a long time,” Hout said. “I’m excited to go against them in the coaching profession; that’s always fun when you know each other. It provides another dynamic.” 

Menard and Harmon were both assistants at Lake City years ago, before leaving to join head coach Ryan Butner’s staff at CV. Butner, a former Bears assistant, became head coach in 2016. 

Hout said he didn’t play with Harmon in high school, “but I knew him when he was a coach here (at Lake City). When I used to recruit Lake City (as a college assistant), I would run into him and Dante. And I used to recruit CV, so I’ve known Butner for a while.” 

Lake City and Central Valley last played in 2016, a 43-0 victory in Bryce Erickson’s first season as Lake City coach. A 2017 meeting was cancelled due to poor air quality. 

All three local 6A schools play at home tonight. 

Coeur d’Alene (2-0) plays its home opener against Lewis and Clark of the Greater Spokane League, making its season opener. 

Post Falls (0-1) plays host to Sandpoint, a 5A team off to a 2-0 start. 

5A Lakeland (0-2), after starting its season with a losses to Coeur d’Alene and Lake City, plays host to 4A Weiser (1-1). 

After the loss to Lake City, Lakeland coach Mike Schroeder said losing to the bigger 6A schools shouldn’t hurt his team that much in the MaxPreps rankings, “as long as you show up and win the ones you’re really supposed to win. And we’re going to have to do that real quick here.” 

As for the picks, Jason Elliott and Josh McDonald each went 5-1 last week. Mark Nelke went 4-2.

For the season, Jason and Josh are 9-2, Mark 8-3.

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

All scheduled for 7 p.m. 

Lewis and Clark (0-0) at Coeur d'Alene (2-0) 

NELKE: Coeur d’Alene has outscored its first two foes by a combined 72-17. The Tigers finished 5-5 last season, including a 26-0 win over CV. 

Coeur d’Alene, 36-14 

ELLIOTT:  These Vikings seem to be on a mission this season. 

Coeur d'Alene, 42-20

McDONALD: The Vikings are GOOD good. If I had to guess, I'd say this was going to be another blowout.  

Coeur d'Alene, 40-14

Central Valley (0-0) at Lake City (1-1) 

NELKE: There should be plenty of motivation boarding the bus from Spokane Valley to Coeur d’Alene today. But the Bears are playing their first game after coming off a 2-8 season. Lake City lost several players to injury last week, when it won with its backup quarterback. The T-Wolves could get their starting QB back tonight. 

Lake City, 21-20  

ELLIOTT: This has the potential for the game of the night. 

Central Valley, 22-20

McDONALD: The Timberwolves looked better than expected during their first two outings. They're pretty banged up after last week though and it feels like that could be a factor this week.  

Central Valley, 21-20

Sandpoint (2-0) at Post Falls (0-1) 

NELKE: If Post Falls can cut down on its mistakes ... 

Post Falls, 21-20 

ELLIOTT: Sandpoint has won two games by very, very close margins. 

Sandpoint, 28-22

McDONALD: The Trojans looked good until they didn't last week. But their slate of 5A opponents isn't getting much easier. However, Coach Bennett and his staff will be pushing all the right buttons this week to right the ship.   

Post Falls, 28-24

Weiser (1-1) at Lakeland (0-2) 

NELKE: A chance for the Hawks to take out their frustrations on a smaller school.  

Lakeland, 28-6 

ELLIOTT:  Lakeland needs this one.

Lakeland, 28-20

McDONALD:  The Hawks are better than their 0-2 record would indicate – back-to-back losses to 6A opponents; One much closer than the other. The Wolverines are 1-1 and have only played out of state opponents. I'll take the Hawks getting into the W column in a tough one. 

Lakeland, 42-28

Timberlake (1-0) at Priest River (0-1) 

NELKE: This one should be closer than last week’s 61-12 Timberlake win over St. Maries. The Spartans played a good Bonners Ferry team close in a 31-20 loss. 

Timberlake, 36-28 

ELLIOTT: War of the Waters on the football field ... Timberlake gets to 2-0.

Timberlake, 34-20

McDONALD:  Apparently, my referring to Bryce Buttz as a "brilliant schemer" in last week's picks has become a running joke among the 1-0 coach's staff. But they also boat raced St. Maries in the opener. Priest might have a few weapons, but Timberlake's offense simply doesn't let up.   

Timberlake, 45-20

St. Maries (0-1) at Bonners Ferry (2-0) 

NELKE: Bonners Ferry, 42-12 

ELLIOTT:  Bonners Ferry just might have more dudes at this point ...

Bonners Ferry, 36-12

McDONALD:  Don't think the Lumberjacks can stop Bonners' ground game.   

Bonners Ferry, 35-12

Clearwater Valley (1-0) vs. Coeur du Christ (2-0) at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley 

NELKE: The Rams of Kooskia beat Lakeside 46-6 last week. The Saints of Coeur d’Alene/Worley won their first two games by an average of 30 points. 

Coeur du Christ, 38-24 

ELLIOTT:  There's just something about this Saints team that makes me think they're onto something.

Coeur du Christ, 44-20

McDONALD:  CV looked solid a week ago, but the Saints are a different animal entirely. 

Coeur du Christ, 55-30

Lakeside (0-1) at Tekoa-Rosalia (0-0) 

NELKE: The Nighthawks won their first four games last year, lost five straight, and finished 5-5. 

Tekoa-Rosalia, 22-18 

ELLIOTT:  Tekoa-Rosalia, 30-12

McDONALD: Lakeside, 30-25

Genesee (0-2) vs. Wallace (1-0) at Sather Field, Silverton 

NELKE: Genesee (sans Colton, Wash.) has given up 118 points in its first two games.

Wallace, 66-36 

ELLIOTT: The mighty Miners celebrate the memory of their biggest fan Jim "Doc" Lynn by playing the fight song ... often.

Wallace, 72-20

McDONALD: These teams met twice last season, both games were tight, and both games were won by the road team. I'm sure the Bulldogs want some revenge after getting bounced from the playoffs, but I have a feeling this won't be very competitive.   

Wallace, 56-18