Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

It’s back by popular demand (?). Actually, of the reader-friendly services we attempt to provide, this feature is among the most frequently talked about.

I’ll be out to break out of a slump. Although my overall record (193-64, .750) is slightly better than the guests (191-66, .743) through three years, I suffered my first season defeat last fall.

I’ve drawn a tough season-opening opponent. My first guest is Jerry Lee (no relation), who resigned as Post Falls High head football coach following last season.

Lee took over a floundering program at PF and turned it into a consistent playoff qualifier, so I can’t be accused of opening against a cupcake.

Lake City at Coeur d’Alene: The Timberwolves have yet to defeat their intracity rival. Coeur d’Alene is 4-0 in the series.

The goose egg will be erased Friday. The teams are playing twice this year (just like the first season), and the opener is non-league. They meet again in the season finale.

CdA finds itself in a similar situation as LC in its first year. LC is on the eve of its best season ever while youthful CdA will likely struggle.

LC coach Van Troxel’s option attack will run over CdA. LC 28, CdA 7.

Guest: This is a toss up. Both teams are coached well, but Troxel’s been with his program a little longer than Shawn Amos. The Viks won’t be able to stop the option. Lake City will prevail in overtime, 23-20.

Lakeland at Post Falls: At one time Lakeland dominated the Battle of the Prairie. But Post Falls has prevailed recently.

The game will be filled with the typical season-opening mistakes. But it should be entertaining until the final minutes. Lakeland holds off the Trojans, 26-19.

Guest: Another big Battle of the Prairie. I’ve got to go with the Trojans and home-field advantage. Post Falls 21, Lakeland 20.

Bonners Ferry at Sandpoint: This could rank as one of the classic lopsided matchups of the season.

Bonners Ferry will find itself in over its shoulder pads, and Sandpoint’s offense will run up and down the field. And the Bulldogs’ defense will prove stingy. Sandpoint 48, BF 10.

Guest: Sandpoint has gotten too big. The size difference between the schools and the stability of Sandpoint’s program are the difference. Sandpoint 42-13.

Other picks

Greg Lee Jerry Lee

Lewiston 35, Moscow 20 Lewiston 42, Moscow 37

St. Maries 36, Orofino 6 St. Maries 46, Orofino 6

Kellogg 18, Anaconda 6 Kellogg 7, Anaconda 6

P. River 22, Timberline 12 P. River 18, Timberline 7

Wallace 19, Clearwater 13 Wallace 14, Clearwater 13

FCA 42, Kootenai 36 FCA 21, Kootenai 14

C. Fork 54, Mullan 6 C. Fork 28, Mullan 21

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