Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

I neither gained nor lost ground on the guest forecasters last week.

Lakeland Principal Chuck Kinsey proved a worthy opponent as we each accurately called 10 of 12 games last week. We both missed on Lakeland as Sandpoint prevailed 20-13.

Going into the third week, the scoreboard reads: Scribe 17-4 (.809), Guests 14-7 (.667).

Our guest this week is Kellogg athletic director Ralph “The Toe” Lowe.

The affable Lowe picked up the nickname when he was a placekicker/punter at the University of Idaho in the mid-1970s.

Until two years ago, Lowe held the UI record for the longest field goal (53 yards).

GAME OF THE WEEK

Kellogg got its first win in two seasons last week. It was a timely victory as the Wildcats, under first-year coach Shawn Amos, must make an unenviable trip Friday to Rathdrum and face the win-hungry Lakeland Hawks.

We can’t recall the last time a Lakeland team ever lost three games in a row, let alone three to open a season. But we do recall the last time the Hawks lost to the Wildcats. The year was 1990 and, strangely, Lakeland lost its first two games that year.

Kellogg is much improved, but the Wildcats aren’t ready to pull off an upset. And that’s what it would be even if the Hawks aren’t yet the Hawks of recent seasons.

If I’m wrong, I’ll sing the Kellogg fight song at a school assembly. Lakeland 28, Kellogg 7.

Guest: The Wildcats are going to squeak by, and the kicking game will be the difference. Kellogg’s on its feet this year and Lakeland has a strong winning tradition, but the Hawks just might overlook Kellogg. Kellogg 21, Lakeland 20.

Deer Park at Coeur d’Alene: Another win-starved team, CdA will feast on the overmatched Stags, from a Class A school north of Spokane.

This was a well-placed game on CdA’s schedule. The Viks will earn an important win, but they’ll have to contain their excitement because their final two non-league games are a home contest against Lakeland and a trip to Moscow.

Vik fans are treated to a glimpse of the talents of junior quarterback Nick Rook. CdA 38, DP 7.

Guest: The Viks almost pulled it out against a tough Boise team two weeks ago, and they’re looking stronger this year. CdA 28, DP 14.

East Valley at Lake City: The T-Wolves improve over last week, but … EV 34, LC 17.

Guest: EV 24, LC 17.

OTHER PICKS

Lee Lowe

B. Ferry 29, Wallace 13 B. Ferry 28, Wallace 18

St. Maries 35, P. River 13 St. Maries 44, P. River 12

Post Falls 35, W. Valley 7 Post Falls 27, W. Valley 7

Lewiston 27, Pullman 13 Lewiston 28, Pullman 18

Moscow 14, Clarkston 6 Clarkston 21, Moscow 13

Lakeside 36, F.Christian 20 Lakeside 38, F.Christian 30

Mullan 46, Kootenai 0 Mullan 65, Kootenai 12

Sandpoint 20, Laurel 6 Sandpoint 29, Laurel 22

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo