Gridiron Guesses Sept. 11, 2026: Coeur d’Alene could get its first test tonight from Moses Lake

Coeur d’Alene and Moses Lake used to meet quite regularly on the football field — including a 2011 matchup at what was then called Qwest Field in Seattle.  

But the last time the schools played each other was in 2017.  

That changes tonight, when the Vikings (3-0) play host to the Mavericks (1-0) at 7 at Viking Field. 

Coeur d’Alene has outscored its three opponents 130-17. 

Moses Lake opened last week with a 34-14 home victory over Richland, outscoring the Bombers 20-0 in the second half. Nolan Decubber, taking over at quarterback for Brady Jay, who is playing at Montana, threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Mavericks, and John Rainey ran for two scores. 

“Moses Lake is a really good football team,” Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos said. “We’ve still got some growth to make. They’ve built a good program there, and they expect to be really good. They feel good about their team, and they’ll be a playoff-level opponent.”

Elsewhere tonight, Lake City (2-1) takes its two-game winning streak to Yakima to play Eisenhower (0-1), which opened with a 14-6 loss at Pullman. 

Post Falls (0-2) plays host to Boise (3-0), which opened with a 14-13 escape over Lake City in Boise. Since then, the Brave beat Capital 42-27 and Timberline 22-19. 

As for the picks ... well it was carnage.

Mark Nelke, Jason Elliott and Josh McDonald each went 5-4 — and were happy to finish above .500 for the week.

For the season, Jason and Josh are 14-6, Mark 13-7. 

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

All at 7 p.m. except where noted 

Lake City (2-1) at Eisenhower (Yakima, Wash.), 6 p.m. 

NELKE: Lake City beat the Cadets each of the past two seasons, both by shutout. Ground and pound has worked each of the past two weeks for the T-Wolves. 

Lake City, 14-0 

ELLIOTT:  Lake City, big.

Lake City, 42-10

McDONALD: This was drubbing last year and Lake City is better this year.

Lake City, 42-14

Moses Lake (1-0) at Coeur d'Alene (3-0) 

NELKE: Lakeland challenged the Vikings for a bit, but this could be Coeur d’Alene’s real first test of the season. We’ll see ... 

Coeur d’Alene, 36-14 

ELLIOTT: Coeur d'Alene has a wealth of athletes that have been playing at a high level this season.

Coeur d'Alene, 38-20

McDONALD: Gimme the Viks to stay rolling.

Coeur d'Alene, 38-20

Boise (3-0) at Post Falls (0-2) 

NELKE: Much of the Trojans’ problems in their first two games have been self-induced. 

Boise, 14-13 

ELLIOTT: Since Post Falls is playing at home ...

Post Falls, 22-20

McDONALD: Boise narrowly escaped Lake City a couple weeks ago. But, I’m not sure this version of the Trojans can hang with the other 6As. 

Boise, 21-14

Lakeland (0-3) at Walla Walla (0-1) 

NELKE: The Blue Devils lost their opener at Mt. Spokane, 31-20. Lakeland has had a rugged three-game start to its season. 

Lakeland, 20-14 

ELLIOTT: Lakeland figures some things out this week.

Lakeland, 24-22

McDONALD: The Hawks are better than 0-3. That changes this week.

Lakeland, 21-17

Grangeville (1-1) at Timberlake (1-1) 

NELKE: Timberlake went from 61 (points) to 0 in a week. Grangeville’s win was 10-6 at Moscow two weeks ago, followed by a bye. 

Timberlake, 32-30 

ELLIOTT: Could be a great game to watch.

Grangeville, 28-27

McDONALD: A week ago, Timberlake got beat up by Priest River. I just can’t imagine that happening two weeks in a row. These two teams always put on a show. 

Timberlake, 41-40

Logos (3-0) at St. Maries (0-2) 

NELKE: The 2A Knights of Moscow, a member of the (3A) Central Idaho League in football only, already own a league win, 57-30 over visiting Kellogg. 

Logos, 36-20 

ELLIOTT: Logos, 35-20

McDONALD: Logos might have the two best athletes in the CIL, unless the Lumberjacks can stop big plays, this could be bad. 

Logos, 40-14

Coeur du Christ (3-0) at Deary (1-2) 

NELKE: The Saints looked for strong nonleague opponents this season, and the Mustangs, despite losses to two 2A schools, are one of them. 

Coeur du Christ, 42-28 

ELLIOTT: Coeur du Christ is on another level this year.

Coeur du Christ, 44-28

McDONALD: This might be one of the better 8-man games this week. 

Coeur du Christ, 38-35

Wellpinit (1-0) vs. Lakeside (1-1) at Marimn Health Coeur Center, Worley 

NELKE: The Knights are coming off their first win of the season as they face the Redskins, who beat Columbia of Hunters 26-20 last week. 

Lakeside, 26-20 

ELLIOTT: Wellpinit, 28-20

McDONALD: The Knights got one last week, maybe it’s the start of a streak? 

Lakeside, 35-25

Wallace (2-0) at Clark Fork (1-1) 

NELKE: This is a nonleague game again, after two years of District 1’s four small schools playing in the North Star League. Wallace has scored 106 points against two tough foes; Clark Fork lost to Coeur du Christ 46-14. 

Wallace, 54-18 

ELLIOTT: Wallace just has too much on offense.

Wallace, 56-20

McDONALD: If I had to guess, the Miners’ starters will only play this first half of this one. 

Wallace, 55-20 

SATURDAY’S GAME 

Kellogg (0-2) at Salmon (2-1), 3 p.m. PDT 

NELKE: Salmon, 20-18 

ELLIOTT: If Kellogg can keep it close ...

Salmon, 28-12

McDONALD: Two teams who have lived on the wrong side of .500 for awhile. Kellogg has the athletes; they just need to finish. 

Kellogg, 26-18