Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

If my mug was here you’d see egg smeared on it. I came within 110 points of a perfect effort last week. I missed three games by about 16 touchdowns if divided out by the 7-point conventional scoring method.

Normally three misses would be respectable. But it was the final scores of my misses that made it laughable.

I picked Kootenai to upset Colton, Wash. Colton prevailed 70-20. I thought Kellogg would upset Priest River for its first win of the season. Priest River held on 45-6. And I figured Sandpoint would bounce back from a loss to Borah, but East Valley beat Sandpoint 35-14.

I need some counseling.

Congratulations to guest Ron Hopkins, Priest River’s athletic director. He missed just one of 10. After four weeks, the sportswriter still leads but just barely: Lee 32 of 46 (.696), Guests 31 of 46 (.673).

My guest this week is Bob Witte, play-by-play broadcaster of Sandpoint High sports for KSPT-AM/KPND-FM radio.

Earlier in the season when Witte agreed to be a guest, he chose this week. I immediately smelled something fishy.

After accepting the challenge, I realized this is the anniversary of the dead fish. In a moment of insanity two years ago, I picked Lake City to upset Sandpoint, at Sandpoint. Bulldog coaches sent me the foul gift via priority mail after the Bulldogs won.

Lake City at Sandpoint: Call me spineless. But I can’t pick against the Bulldogs for a couple of reasons.

Not that I don’t believe the Timberwolves can beat Sandpoint. A 4-0 record and quality victories over Cheney and Moscow are proof enough that Lake City is poised to compete in the Inland Empire League.

I see more athletic talent on Sandpoint’s roster. The enthusiasm created by the Bulldogs’ crowd will be worth something. I would not be shocked if the Timberwolves pull of an upset. It should be close. Sandpoint 24, LC 21.

Guest: Even though Lake City is having a wonderful year and should be proud, Sandpoint is still too much.

The last two weeks Sandpoint has taken its lumps, but it will get on track here. It should be a great ballgame. Sandpoint 31, LC 21.

Coeur d’Alene at Moscow: The learning curve continues for the Vikings.

Moscow continues to work out kinks as it prepares for the meat of the Intermountain League schedule. Moscow 21, CdA 7.

Guest: It’s a road trip for Coeur d’Alene, and the Bears are playing well. Tough year for the Viks. Moscow 30, CdA 7.

Lakeland at Priest River: The Spartans’ 21-game losing streak to Lakeland won’t come to an end Friday. But a second school opens next year so Lakeland and Priest River will be closer in enrollment.

Although the Spartans’ strength is their defense, the Hawks have too many weapons. Priest River puts up a spirited effort before falling. Lakeland 26, PR 14.

Guest: It’s Priest River’s year. I don’t want to jinx them, and they’re at home. I give the Spartans the edge. PR 30, Lakeland 28.

Other picks Greg Lee Bob Witte Chewelah 26, Post Falls 20 Post Falls 21, Chewelah 18 Lewiston 30, Clarkston 13 Lewiston 28, Clarkston 12 St. Maries 35, Kellogg 6 St. Maries 21, Kellogg 6 W. Valley 28, B. Ferry 12 W. Valley 35, B. Ferry 14 Wallace 20, Gar-Pal 15 Wallace 14, Gar-Pal 7 Lakeside 57, Kootenai 12 Lakeside 53, Kootenai 8 F. Christian 38, C. Fork 32 C. Fork 42, F. Christian 35 , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo