Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

Thank goodness for small victories.

Thank goodness for Falls Christian. In case you didn’t know it, I’m a HUGE fan of the Christian school in Post Falls.

Falls Christian rolled over Lind (Wash.) last week and in so doing, saved this scribe from all-out embarrassment.

I posted perhaps my worst effort in the history of this feature. I picked just five of 12 games correctly.

I had company, though. My guest, Lakeside principal Kurt Hoffman, had an identically pathetic performance.

So I’m still up by three games for the season. The totals are: sportswriter 25 of 36 (.694), guests 22 of 36 (.611).

My guest this week is Priest River athletic director Ron Hopkins. The buttons on his shirt are popping off after his beloved Spartans upset St. Maries 7-6 in an Intermountain League opener last week.

As you will discover, there are too many heavily favored teams to get too greedy this week.

Post Falls at Lewiston: A week ago I would have picked the Bengals in a blowout.

Now I’m not so sure. Yes, the Trojans lost to East Valley (27-20) and the Bengals romped over EV (41-3).

But there’s the Cheney factor (Post Falls beat Cheney while Lewiston tied). I suspect first-year coach Jeff Choate will have the Trojans emotionally charged to play, and the game will be competitive for a while.

But Lewiston is coming off one of its poorest performances in more than a year. Nick Menegas will have his team emotionally charged. Lewiston 28, PF 12.

Guest: Lewiston’s passing attack will be too much for the Trojans’ defense. Lewiston 28, PF 7.

Cheney at Lake City: I’m not going to start picking against the Timberwolves now.

LC leaped over Sandpoint and moved into second place in the state poll, receiving two first-place votes. The Wingbone option continues to roll. LC 21, Cheney 14.

Guest: Coach Troxel’s program and coaching is showing positive effects. Lake City to win with a field goal. LC 17, Cheney 14.

Lakeland at Coeur d’Alene: The Hawks will mix the run and pass well, and Lakeland’s offensive line shows more improvement.

The Hawks will have little trouble stopping the offensively challenged Viks. Lakeland 28, CdA 13.

Guest: Lakeland’s balance on offense will keep the Vikings off-balance. Lakeland 28, CdA 21.

Priest River at Kellogg: The Spartans received votes in the prep poll this week (and I was, at least, one that voted for them). In fact, they would have been ranked sixth if the poll went out to 10 spots.

Last week was a monumentally emotional game for the Spartans.

They can’t help but have a letdown this week. And Kellogg is hungry for a win. So here’s an upset special. Kellogg 7, Priest River 6.

Guest: Just win, baby! Priest River’s seniors have been together for the last six years. Priest River is taking them one game at a time. Kellogg will be tough, but the Spartans will prevail. Priest River 14, Kellogg 7.

Other picks

Greg Lee Ron Hopkins

Sandpoint 28, E. Valley 27 Sandpoint 22, E. Valley 21

Moscow 42, B. Ferry 7 Moscow 40, B. Ferry 14

St. Maries 42, Wallace 12 St. Maries 35, Wallace 12

Lakeside 48, C. Fork 18 Lakeside 38, C. Fork 30

Kootenai 26, Colton 22 Colton 58, Kootenai 22

F. Christian 42, Mullan 18 F. Christian 35, Mullan 12

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