All of a sudden we’ve got a game.
It took a daring move on my part – calling for Mt. Spokane to upset Mead – but The Scribe has pulled within a game of the Talking Head.
Neither KHQ/SWX sports director Sam Adams nor I saw what the Shadle Park Highlanders had up their sleeves last Friday. Both of us had Shadle losing in a competitive game, but the Highlanders not only beat the Bullpups they did so convincingly.
A fluke of the schedule has last week’s big winners, Shadle and Mt. Spokane, squaring off tonight in what should decide the 3A top postseason berth. You could justifiably pick either team to win.
Our overall records aren’t impressive. But what we strive to do here is feature the most competitive games from week to week and spread the love around.
Last week: Adams 3-3 (14-10 overall), Lee 4-2 (13-11)
Shadle Park vs. Mt. Spokane
(Tonight, Joe Albi Stadium, 7:15)
Lee: Shadle 21-14. If a team has a chance to pull away it’s the high-powered Highlanders. A check of the league defensive statistics shows Shadle ranked second. For these reasons Shadle wins.
Adams: Shadle 28-24. Shadle was involved in the Game of the Year against Central Valley last fall and could carry the banner once again against Mt. Spokane. The Highlanders shellacked Mt. Spokane last year but the Wildcats didn’t have Stu Stiles. Shadle will stay on assignment tonight.
Lakeland at Post Falls
(Friday, 7 p.m.)
Lee: Post Falls 30-24. The Trojans could be flat after a tough setback to Lake City. And the Hawks are flying high after putting a 51-0 drubbing on Deer Park. PF’s defense will slow down Lakeland.
Adams: Post Falls 17-14. The common opponent here is East Valley. Lakeland beat EV 27-15 and Post Falls beat EV 21-15. This is as close as you can get.
Moscow at Timberlake
(Friday, 7 p.m.)
Lee: Timberlake 27, Moscow 24. This is my upset for the week. It’s another good test for the Tigers.
Adams: Moscow 15-12. This might be the most tightly contested game in the area Friday. After two disheartening losses to West Valley and Pullman (decided by a combined three points), the Bears broke into the win column last week. They’ll keep it going in a tough defensive battle with a late-game Jack Akey interception sealing the victory.
Riverside at Freeman
(Friday, 7 p.m.)
Lee: Freeman 34-14. The Rams are improved but don’t have the firepower to overcome the Scotties.
Adams: Freeman 42-21. After scoring just 14 points in their opener, the Scotties have found their mojo on offense, putting up 40 or more in wins against Pullman, Bonners Ferry and Newport. Freeman hasn’t allowed points in 10 straight quarters.
Colville at East Valley
(Friday, 7 p.m.)
Lee: EV 27-20. The Knights, my preseason pick to win the always-wacky GNL, will get all they can handle from Colville.
Adams: EV 28-21. The Knights returned to form with a 35-0 win over Clarkston. They will face one of the toughest defensive units in Colville, which has only yielded three touchdowns in a game once this season.
Mead at Gonzaga Prep
(Friday, 7 p.m.)
Lee: G-Prep 34-28. This could be similar to the Ferris-Gonzaga Prep game. Lots of offense, very little defense. A critical game for both teams.
Adams: G-Prep 35-28. Hard to believe these two juggernauts were held to a combined 13 points in their losses last Friday. Both teams will get their offenses back on track in a must-win game.
