Idaho Preps Get Sluggish Football Start

As it turns out, some teams are ready and some aren’t as a handful of football games kick off the high school season in North Idaho this weekend.

Kootenai and Lakeside were set to collide in Plummer tonight in a season-opening North Star League eight-man game. But less than half of Kootenai’s team is eligible - the minimum of eight players.

And just three of those players would be playing in their normal positions. So Kootenai officials decided to forfeit the game.

Which means Lakeside, scheduled for a bye next week, won’t open the 1997 season until the third week. The Knights travel to Falls Christian on Sept. 12.

The majority of Kootenai players were ineligible because they didn’t meet the minimum requirement of 10 practices. Several players had work commitments that spilled over into the first few days of preseason workouts.

Another opener involving Lapwai at St. Maries tonight has been canceled because some Lapwai players were involved in a fatal auto accident.

Two other games are on tap tonight.

Falls Christian goes to Clark Fork in a NSL game, beginning at 3:30 this afternoon. In a 7 p.m. game, Wallace goes to Potlatch.

In a single game Saturday afternoon, Orofino goes to Priest River at 1:30.

Also Saturday, the Bonners Ferry Invitational cross country meet is set for 10 a.m. for a handful of teams.

The balance of the football teams open their seasons Sept. 5.

Most area volleyball and girls soccer teams open next week. Post Falls gets the early jump, however, as it plays host to Priest River today and Kellogg and Moscow on Saturday.

In a football jamboree tonight at Post Falls, Lakeland, Coeur d’Alene, Lake City and Sandpoint will meet in controlled mini-scrimmages beginning at 6.

Jamboree proceeds go to the Idaho High School Activities Association’s Youth Endowment Fund.

Junior tackle

The Post Falls Junior Tackle Association signups for the fall season are coming up.

Registration is Wednesday and Thursday at Post Falls Middle School, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost is $75 for the first child, $50 for a second.

Play is divided into two leagues, eighth grade and seventh grade. A current physical is required.

For more information, call Jerry Sinclair at 773-2948.

, DataTimes