Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee
It took a former football coach to give yours truly his second defeat of the season. Post Falls Principal John Billetz proved he still is in touch with the game.
Billetz picked six of eight games correctly while I had five correct. Going into the final week of the regular season, though, I can officially declare victory. With seven games on the menu this week, the scoreboard reads: Lee 61-15 (.803), Guests 53-23 (.697).
In keeping with tradition, staffer Jim Meehan is my final guest.
Meehan went head to head with me each week this season - he calls it the exhibition season - and I’m pleased to report that his total is one better than the guests’.
I can’t gloat much, though. He did beat me this time last year.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Though nothing tangible such as a playoff berth rides on the
outcome, the Coeur d’Alene-Lake City showdown does mean something. Forget the fact that both teams are 1-7. This game is still for bragging rights.
The game boils down to Lake City having the best offensive and defensive linemen and Coeur d’Alene featuring the top skill players.
And any coach will tell you that you have to have linemen to block for those skill kids. And a good line can make otherwise average skill players look great.
Therefore, the call here is Lake City extends its newfound streak to two. T-Wolves 22, Viks 21.
Guest: Everything points to LC, particularly momentum. I predicted the T-Wolves’ losing streak would end last week, but something keeps nagging me into taking the Viks. Big plays and insanity, perhaps. Viks 28, T-Wolves 22.
Sandpoint at Post Falls: This is probably the “Game of the Week” considering the drama of a league championship and playoff seeding. The game could serve as a preview to a rematch next week in the opening round of the playoffs.
If Post Falls wins - and it should - the Trojans lock up the league title. Based on a new tie-breaking formula, Sandpoint must win by at least 10 points to force a three-way tie for first and a coin flip to decide seeding.
Sandpoint will bounce back from its 63-33 loss to Lewiston. But the Trojans will win the ball-control battle. Post Falls 28, Sandpoint 13.
Guest: Post Falls has Josh Mort and Brett Hollenbeck. Sandpoint has Jeremy Thielbahr. Two to one, which is what the outcome will be. PF 30, Sandpoint 15. (P.S.: Bulldogs, if you’re gonna send fish, make it edible - smoked salmon would be nice.)
Moscow at Lakeland: These teams have combined for some entertaining battles over the years. And the game has decided a handful of league titles, too.
Technically, Lakeland could earn a playoff berth with a win over Moscow, which fell to league champion St. Maries 14-6 last week.
But we look back to just two weeks ago when Lakeland was hammered by St. Maries 48-13. The Hawks don’t have enough weapons to pull an upset. Moscow 34, Lakeland 13.
Guest: Lakeland will battle, but doesn’t have the weapons of yesteryear. Moscow 27, Lakeland 19.
OTHER PICKS
Lee Meehan
Lewiston 28, Cheney 21 Cheney 23, Lewiston 21
St. Maries 40, B. Ferry 12 St. Maries 34, B. Ferry 20
Grangeville 28, Wallace 13 Grangeville 35, Wallace 12
F. Christian 26, Kootenai 6 F. Christian 43, Kootenai 8
, DataTimes