Pick 6: Greg Lee grabs lead in close race

For the first time this year, there’s some separation.

Granted, it’s slim. But it’s separation nonetheless.

If all goes well, I’ll hand Pick 6 over to Dave Nichols with a lead. To do that, though, I can’t be reckless.

Yours truly went 5-1 last week while Sam Adams was 4-2. My ‘Upset Special’ backfired, but I got Sam on two other games. The scoreboard shows Lee at 12-4 and Adams at 11-5.

I’m known for building early leads and Sam is known for his comebacks. I’ll try to keep it going in the right direction, Dave.

Colfax at Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, Friday, 7

Lee: This has become one of the best friendly rivalries in the region. That’s because Bulldogs coach Mike Morgan and Broncos coach Greg Whitmore wouldn’t have anything less. Both teams’ losses were to a common opponent, Asotin. And the setbacks came on the road. Asotin shut out Colfax 12-0 and led 34-6 over LRS going into the fourth quarter before the Broncos scored two late touchdowns. Any way you slice it, this will likely be a low-scoring game. Colfax 18-12.

Adams: One point could be the difference between Colfax and LRS, and boy, do the Broncos know it. They scored three touchdowns in their overtime loss to Northwest Christian and didn’t convert after any of those scores. Neither did the Crusaders, for that matter. I expect a muddy, messy, grind-it-out game in Ritzville, and a two-pointer may very well decide it. LRS 22-20.

Lakeside at Deer Park, Friday, 7

Lee: The Stags’ offense was derailed last week by Colville. Deer Park will get back on track Friday. Deer Park 27-18.

Adams: Here’s a not-so-fun fact for the Stags: Over the last two years, they have lost just three games. The combined score of those three games: 136-7. So how will Deer Park recover after a 34-7 loss in Colville? I’d say it’s up to QB Lucas Keller and RBs Trayton Bird and Tyson Lim to find out. Deer Park 34-27.

East Valley at Lake City, Friday, 7

Lee: At 0-3, the Timberwolves need to stop the bleeding. The Knights might just be the Band-Aid they need. LC 30-28.

Adams: My goodness, has it been a rough start for the Timberwolves – 13 points in their first three games. Total. You would be hard pressed to find a worse three-game stretch in LC history (I’m sure Greg is already looking into it). But if LC can stay the course and place its faith in head coach Bryce Erickson – and I think the T-Wolves will – there are wins to be had this season. That elusive first win should come this Friday night in Coeur d’Alene. LC 24-16.

Coeur d’Alene at Camas, Friday, 7

Lee: Camas traveled to CdA last year and returned home with an impressive victory. It’s the Vikings’ turn to do the same. The defending State 4A champion Papermakers, ranked No. 1, had to replace a quarterback, running back, wide receiver and four offensive linemen. They’re not down, just different – as a Vancouver reporter described them to me. Camas has won 53 straight regular-season games dating back to 2011. They’ve won 17 in a row overall. CdA moved back atop the rankings in Idaho, so it’s a Washington/Idaho showdown for bragging rights. Camas will find it difficult defending QB Colson Yankoff, RB Caleb Beggerly and WR Cole Ramseyer. It should be an entertaining game. CdA 32-24.

Adams: Finally, we get to see the best of Washington against the best of Idaho. Camas is the defending State 4A champion in Washington and is rightfully ranked as the No. 1 team in the state. CdA is the top-ranked team in the state of Idaho and is no stranger to big games against big-time programs. This will be another great test for the Vikings, who always schedule tough in September with an eye on playoff football in November. But a road game at Camas is a tall order, even by CdA standards. Camas 35-28.

University vs. Lewis and Clark, Friday, Albi, 5

Lee: This is a tough matchup to read. LC has definitely played the more difficult schedule. U-Hi is much improved over last year when the Tigers shut out LC 13-0. U-Hi 27-21.

Adams: The Tigers shut out the Titans when these teams went head-to-head last season at U-Hi, the first of back-to-back shutout losses for the Titans. But the Titans have clearly found their offensive identity this season, scoring four touchdowns or more in each of their first three games under second-year head coach Adam Daniel. Whoever has the ball last on Friday night should win a very competitive game at Albi Stadium. U-Hi 28-27.

Gonzaga Prep vs. Mt. Spokane, Friday, Albi, 7:30

Lee: The matchup features the teams picked to win their respective league titles. The Bullpups are clearly the best team in the GSL regardless of classification. They’ll continue to show why Friday. G-Prep 34-14.

Adams: We have the best of the 4A versus the best of the 3A in the GSL at Albi. G-Prep has recovered nicely from a season-opining loss at Eastside Catholic, blowing out Bellarmine College Prep and Lewis and Clark the last two weeks. Meanwhile, Mt. Spokane has used a stout defense to hold its first three opponents to 18 points. But unless the Wildcats are able to extend that trend and limit the Bullpups to six points, I’m not forecasting an upset on Friday night. Still, it will be fun seeing how these two GSL powerhouses stack up against each other. G-Prep 35-21.