City’s football rivalry hits peak with Friday’s showdown

Minutes after the Lake City football team’s 21-18 win over Coeur d’Alene last month, Timberwolves coach Van Troxel promptly announced that the rivalry had arrived.

I pondered that for a few days and finally figured out what he meant.

The on-the-field emotion that extended longer than the first series or first quarter in that game, coupled with flag after flag after flag for undisciplined penalties, was the evidence Troxel used to support his statement.

Troxel chalked up a lot of his team’s lack of focus in the first game to the rivalry and the fact that his team was coming off a bye. The T-Wolves had a lot of pent-up emotion and adrenaline.

It appears, though, that 13 years into the crosstown existence of both high schools and the rivalry truly has arrived.

The coaches have become so sensitive to the hype of games like this week that they’ve put gag orders on their players. No sense throwing fuel on an already well-stoked fire they reason.

I don’t agree, but I think where Troxel and CdA coach Shawn Amos are coming from is more associated with keeping the focus of the game on the teams. It’s about the team, not the individuals.

While there are special athletes on both teams, the game won’t be decided by one player.

If I had to pick a group of players that could play a substantial role in the outcome, however, I would tab Lake City’s defense. Opponents have scored 155 points through nine games, but Lake City’s defensive starters have only allowed 90 – 10 points per game.

In the first game, the LC defense allowed just one touchdown. CdA’s final two scores came via an interception return and a fumble allowed by the offense. You can’t pin those scores on the defense.

CdA’s defense, meanwhile, has given up 28.4 points per game.

So out of all the possible scenarios for the playoff game, I see defense being the decisive factor.

If you think about it, that’s probably the way it should be in a rivalry game.

“I called former Lewiston head coach Nick Menegas for his insight this week. He’s seen both teams as Lewiston’s offensive coordinator. Back when he was head coach, his teams owned LC and CdA.

Menegas likes both teams, and he heaped praise on both.

He remembers when Troxel and Amos struggled in their early years.

“I saw both of them in their infancy. They endured a lot,” Menegas said. “They have as good a programs as there are in the state. I’m so proud of what they’ve done.”

Menegas thinks the state title will be decided Friday, not in three weeks.

I agree.

“I’ve talked to other area coaches and they, too, agree LC is favored. But they wouldn’t be surprised if CdA won.

“So rain or shine – cold or even colder – LC is the place football fans in the city should be Friday.

The 2006 LC and CdA teams are the best they’ve been in the same year in the 13-year history of the rivalry.

Many folks predicted before the season began that LC would win a state title, yours truly included. But Amos hopes his team can do something special Friday.

That’s been at the core of his motivation this week.

“You don’t get that many second chances in life,” Amos said. “Everybody has had them penciled into the state title game since the season started. We have a chance to do something special.”