LRS idle, but vaults into 1st in final poll

The Lind-Ritzville/ Sprague football team didn’t play last week – and not because of a scheduled bye – and still the Broncos managed to vault into first in the NWPrepsNow final power rankings.

“It took the referees not showing up, but we finally saw the Broncos not win on Friday night,” said KHQ/SWX sports director Sam Adams, who voted LRS No. 1 in his final ballot.

LRS leapfrogged Freeman to grab the top spot. The Broncos received three first-place votes from the nine-member panel for 39 points. Freeman, which received two first-place votes, and Ferris, which also received two first-place votes, finished tied for second with 37.

A point back in fourth are the Coeur d’Alene Vikings, who received one first-place vote.

Rounding out the top six are Shadle Park (31) and Wallace (4), which made its first appearance in the rankings.

LRS was set to play at Colfax on Senior Night last Friday. But no officials showed up for the game because of a scheduling snafu.

After much deliberation during the weekend, the schools agreed to play Nov. 5, which will give both three games in an eight-day span.

Ferris, tied with Shadle atop the Greater Spokane League, moved up a spot in the final rankings.

“Coach Jim Sharkey ought to send a nice gift over to Mt. Spokane coach Mike McLaughlin after the Wildcats knocked off Gonzaga Prep, allowing the Saxons to control their own postseason destiny,” GSL broadcaster Larry Weir said. “A win over Mead on Thursday assures Ferris of the No. 1 seed into the 4A playoffs and a home game against Richland.”

Weir said Shadle’s rise has been a joy to watch.

“They are just so much fun to watch play offense,” Weir said. “Even though some thought they’d be challenged by the Central Valley defense, that group continues to roll along. Their defense struggled a bit more than usual Friday.”