Lake City not thrilled with win

Rematch or refund?

That had to be two of the thoughts in the minds of many of the folks who watched the Lake City-Coeur d’Alene football game Friday. The 5A Inland Empire League opener was nothing short of hideous.

Yes, the teams could end up seeing each other again in the first round of the state playoffs in early November. Folks also could argue for a refund after watching both teams combine for 28 penalties (21 by LC), five lost fumbles (three by CdA) and two interceptions (one each). And that’s not to mention the numerous mental errors.

Perhaps LC’s justifiable excuse could have been that it was coming off a bye. Certainly the momentum the Timberwolves had built in their four previous victories was nowhere to be found Friday.

Perhaps because No. 1-ranked LC (5-0) is as good as advertised is how the T-Wolves were able to overcome so much adversity – much of it self inflicted – and still pull out a big win over their crosstown rival.

The Vikings (4-2) didn’t shoot as many toes off as the T-Wolves, but they had their share of mistakes – perhaps the most costly being the first in the game that allowed LC to usurp the early momentum CdA had built with a 6-0 lead.

CdA had just scored the game’s first touchdown when its defense forced LC to punt. But Vik punt returner Calvin Peterson coughed up the ball, and Tyler Sanders recovered, giving the T-Wolves the ball at CdA’s 16-yard line. Three plays later, LC took a 7-6 lead and the T-Wolves wouldn’t trail again.

So when LC scored its final touchdown for a 21-6 lead with 10 minutes remaining, it appeared the T-Wolves had the game in hand.

But that’s when LC compounded its game-long pattern of mistakes with more mistakes – perhaps its most costly coming when CdA returned an interception for a TD and recovered a fumble to set up its final TD that pulled the Viks within 21-18 with 2:17 to play.

Did LC get a little greedy?

“We got a little careless with what we really needed to do,” LC coach Van Troxel said. “You know how dangerous they (the Viks) are. We know if we get one more (TD) then it is probably (over).”

Still mad, but mellowing

Two days later, Troxel was still upset with how his team played. But he had taken his share of good-natured ribbing from friends and family.

“A lot of people have given me a bad time saying it’s too bad we’re 5-0 and ranked No. 1 in the state,” Troxel said Sunday afternoon.

By Sunday, Troxel had put the game, especially the win, in perspective.

“It was a huge win. It put us in the driver’s seat,” Troxel said. “Everything that’s been planned and talked about and everything that we want to accomplish is still in front of us. Everything now is in our hands.”

Both LC and CdA have league games remaining with Post Falls (3-2) and Lewiston (3-2).

“We both still have to beat Post Falls and Lewiston,” Troxel said. “Both are good football teams and very capable. But neither one of them right now is as good as Coeur d’Alene.”

What about a rematch?

Certainly CdA coach Shawn Amos would welcome a rematch.

But that’s easier said than done at this point. His team travels to Lewiston in two weeks after a bye this week.

Historically, Amos’ teams haven’t played well coming off byes.

“We’ve got to get ready for Lewiston,” Amos said. “None of this matters if we don’t beat Lewiston and Post Falls. It’s (all) irrelevant if we want another chance to play them (T-Wolves). We’ve got to take care of business.”

Big loss

LC suffered a key loss when it lost senior offensive tackle Carson York to injury Friday.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound York, who has given an oral commitment to the University of Oregon, suffered a chipped bone and a pulled muscle in his hip. Troxel said the doctor expects York to be out four weeks, which would take LC through the end of the regular season.

Junior defensive end Byron Hout replaced York at tackle, and will continue to do so, Troxel said.

“We had no drop off when he went in,” Troxel said. “It’s nice to be able to replace Carson with an all-state player (on defense). Byron helps make our life a little easier.”

On the schedule

The best matchup this week pits in-district rivals with 4A Lakeland (4-2) at 3A Timberlake (5-0) on Friday.

Another game to keep an eye on has 5A Lewiston at 4A Sandpoint (2-4), which has won two in a row after four straight losses to 5A teams to open the season.

Around the state

Highland (5-0), ranked second behind LC, topped Pocatello (4-1), the top-ranked team in 4A, 17-6 in the annual Blue and Black Bowl last Friday.

Another interesting game, involving 5A teams, had Mountain View of Meridian thumping previously unbeaten Capital 51-13.