Greg Lee

Unique is a word journalists are encouraged to avoid like the plague. But unique is the single-best word to describe a prep football showdown Saturday at the Kibbie Dome. That’s when No. 1-ranked and two-time defending Idaho 5A state champ Coeur d’Alene faces off with No. 1-ranked and defending Washington State 4A champ Skyline of Sammamish. Kickoff is at 8.

With a showdown looming in a week with the preseason favorite, the Lewis and Clark Tigers could ill afford a second straight loss to open the football season. After some defensive breakdowns last week, the Tigers answered a challenge from their coaches with a 33-7 victory over the Mt. Spokane Wildcats in a Greater Spokane League game Thursday at Joe Albi Stadium.

I saw eight of the 10 Greater Spokane League football teams in season-opening games last week. I didn’t see Mead or University. I didn’t have to see Mead play, though, to know what I already know – that the Panthers should have little difficulty during the regular season.

In principle, it’s not much different than most sports. The object is to score by getting something round into a net. Sound familiar? The most glaring difference between polo and other sports, though, is the use of horses. Longtime Spokane resident Pete Dix has had polo in his genes since birth. His father established the Spokane Polo Club in Airway Heights in 1967, and the son has passed the game on to his sons. Dix’s father suffered a heart attack and died while playing polo in 1982. The club’s field is named after him – Peter Dix Field. When it’s Pete Dix’s turn to die, he can’t think of a better way to go than how his father passed. “That would be perfect,” he said. The 61-year-old Dix, CEO of a construction business, established a charity polo event eight years ago that directly benefits the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane. It has raised nearly $2 million. The eighth event will be Sunday at the Spokane Polo Club. It’s considered the biggest polo charity event west of the Mississippi, Dix said.

Like a certain uncle who piled up yards at Joe Albi Stadium a couple of decades ago for Shadle Park, another Rypien appears as if he might throw up some records before his career is concluded. Brett Rypien, who started the final four games as a freshman last year, showed why there’s some pedigree to his name Thursday.

Greater Spokane League poll

Graduation hit the Colton Wildcats hard, but coach Clark Vining still has a Straughan around so pardon him if he feels like his offense is in pretty good hands.“That’s a rule, you have to have a Straughan at quarterback,” Vining said, laughing. Josh Straughan had a record-setting season a year ago, passing for 3,538 yards and 41 touchdowns as Colton captured the Southeast 1B championship before losing to Odessa-Harrington in the first round of the state playoffs.