Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

It may have taken two weeks, but the scribe is back on top. And I like the view!

After a season-opening tie with the guest, yours truly opened a sizeable lead. I correctly picked 12 of 14 last week, including the four featured games. The guest, Lakeland vice principal Van Tuinstra, limped in at 9 of 14.

The totals going into the third week are: the sportswriter 20 of 24 (.833), the guests 17 of 24 (.708).

This week I take on another former head football coach, Kurt Hoffman, now the principal at Lakeside High.

Hoffman was the head coach of a couple of state playoff qualifiers back before Plummer and Worley combined.

He returned to coaching this fall for two reasons: 1) because he missed it, and 2) because Lakeside head coach Ron Miller had no assistants when preseason practices began.

Hoffman’s been invaluable help to Miller.

Kellogg at Lakeland: One of two Intermountain League openers, this game features teams seeking their first victories.

After a humbling loss to Sandpoint, Lakeland will get well in a hurry. Quarterback Kurt Reese, sacked eight times last week, will spend more time on his feet and signaling “touchdown” with upraised arms. Lakeland 27, Kellogg 6.

Guest: Lakeland’s ready to regroup after last week’s loss to Sandpoint. Reese and the rest of the Hawks come back in a big way. Lakeland 40, Kellogg 14.

Post Falls at East Valley: We know Lewiston is Lewiston, but the Bengals’ 41-3 win at EV last week was impressive.

EV is better than that. EV will face a team in the Trojans less-sophisticated offensively than Lewiston.

But Post Falls accepts victories by any margin - including last-second plays. Trojans get ready for next week’s Inland Empire League opener at Lewiston. PF 20, EV 18.

Guest: I don’t think EV can slow down the running attack of Post Falls. Expect (Scott) Chamberlain to have a huge game and the Trojans defense will shut down the EV offense. PF 32, EV 7.

Lake City vs. Moscow: This is the second game of the annual Shriners Doubleheader at the Kibbie Dome (Coeur d’Alene meets Clarkston in the opener).

This will be the Timberwolves’ first test. LC climbed another spot in the poll this week (fourth), and they’ll equal their most wins in a season (three, last year) with a hard-fought win. LC 24, Moscow 21.

Guest: Van Troxel has LC program moving toward many school records. The next one to be broken will be they will be 3-0 for the first time. LC 28, Moscow 14.

Sandpoint at Borah: The Bulldogs took a big leap under coach Satini Puailoa last season when they defeated Borah at home.

The task will be much more difficult Friday, what with traveling 9-plus hours and playing on artificial turf. Sandpoint 28, Borah 21.

Guest: This will be a close one. I have to vote for North Idaho so I’ll go with Sandpoint. Fewer penalties for the Bulldogs this week. Sandpoint 21, Borah 17.

Other picks

Greg Lee Kurt Hoffman

CdA 21, Clarkston 14 Clarkston 24, CdA 20

Lewiston 36, Cheney 14 Lewiston 35, Cheney 21

St. Maries 36, P. River 20 St. Maries 28, P. River 21

B. Ferry 13, Newport 12 B. Ferry 21, Newport 14

Reardan 32, Wallace 14 Reardan 35, Wallace 17

Lakeside 54, Mullan 6 Lakeside 50, Mullan 14

C. Fork 42, Kootenai 32 C. Fork 40, Kootenai 32

F. Christian 28, Lind 26 Lind 40, F. Christian 28

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