Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

I had my first perfect week of the season. But I’m keeping it in perspective.

There wasn’t anything difficult about picking last week’s games. The favorites won as expected.

The best news is I moved closer to a season victory over the guests. Last week’s guest, St. Maries principal Jerry Bayley, missed two of eight games, allowing the Scribe to double his lead.

With two weeks left, the scorecard reads: Lee 54 of 71 (.760 and climbing!), Guests 50 of 71 (.704 and dropping!).

The guest this week is Ron Ouren, a Coeur d’Alene banker and avid prep and college booster. Ouren, 55, celebrated his 30th anniversary in the business last month. His three children graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School.

Lewiston at Sandpoint: Call this Lewiston-Sandpoint I. There’s a good chance Lewiston-Sandpoint II will occur in the first round of the State A-1 Division II playoffs.

Sandpoint can clinch the Inland Empire League title and the top playoff seed with a win. A loss drops Lewiston to the third seed and would force a return trip to Sandpoint in two weeks.

Although Lewiston is the defending state champ and was given the nod to win the league title, a Bengal win should be classified as a minor upset.

Why? Sandpoint should win, period. The Bulldogs have more weapons than last year. And Lewiston, which has many concerns defensively, won’t have an answer to Bulldogs wide receiver Caleb Bowman.

The only reason this game should be close is if Sandpoint plays poorly and Lewiston fires on most cylinders. Sandpoint 38, Lewiston 20.

Guest: It’s an opportunity for the Bulldogs to have a good season by defeating the state champions before their home fans. Sandpoint 35, Lewiston 28.

Lake City at Lakeland: Intriguing game. LC’s most wins against an opponent (two) have come against the Hawks.

The Timberwolves will force Lakeland coach Terry Kiefer to do what he’s least comfortable doing - pass, and often. Lakeland quarterback Kurt Reese has proven more than capable in the Hawks’ short-passing, high percentage package.

Having to defend the pass will be good tuneup for LC as it approaches the playoffs. Lakeland will have its hands full stopping the T-Wolves’ ground attack. LC 36, Lakeland 26.

Guest: LC is on a mission in ‘97 and the past few years have been some growing experiences. I think they’ll be focused in a tough game at Lakeland. LC 41, Lakeland 27.

Post Falls at Coeur d’Alene: Trojans still have outside chance to make state playoffs although they’ll need some help.

That coupled with a little bit of encouragement from spirited first-year coach Jeff Choate will be enough to have the Trojans pumped up. Post Falls 26, CdA 13.

Guest: My Viking Blue comes through here. It’s a great rivalry. Anything can happen, but I’ve got to stay with my Viking Blue. CdA 34, Post Falls 31.

Other picks

Greg Lee Ron Ouren

Moscow 26, St. Maries 22 Moscow 44, St. Maries 21

P. River 32, B. Ferry 14 B. Ferry 31, P. River 27

Wallace 27, Kellogg 18 Wallace 34, Kellogg 27

Clark Fork 32, Kootenai 30 Clark Fork 35, Kootenai 25

Lakeside 52, Mullan 6 Lakeside 44, Mullan 31

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo