Big Plays Make Big Difference Between Them
Moscow High football coach Jaxon Schweikert doesn’t see many differences between his team and Border League-leading Lake City.
“We run the same kind of stuff,” Schweikert said of the teams’ option-style offenses.
There is a significant reason, though, why Lake City is 5-0 overall and Moscow is 1-4, he said.
“They make the big play, and we give up the big play,” Schweikert said. “Everything in the middle is pretty close. They’re more disciplined than we are. That’s why they have the big plays, and that’s why we give them up.”
Still, Schweikert doesn’t see his team as a big underdog Friday when his Bears visit Lake City.
“I look for a good, close game,” Schweikert said. “We look for our guys to play well against them. We believe we’re going to beat Lake City.”
LC, 2-0 against Inland Empire League teams, can take a big step toward securing the top playoff seed with a victory. Moscow (0-2), which fell to Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene by identical 34-20 scores, must win to stay in the playoff hunt.
The Moscow-LC game is the lone contest pitting IEL teams. Kickoff at most area games is 7 p.m.
In Border League matchups, Cheney (3-1 overall, 2-1 league) goes to Post Falls (3-2, 3-1); Coeur d’Alene (3-3, 3-1) travels to Clarkston (1-3, 1-2), and West Valley (0-4, 0-4) goes to Colville (0-4, 0-4).
In a non-league game, Lewiston (3-2) is at Sandpoint (3-2).
In Intermountain League games, Lakeland (5-0, 3-0) goes to St. Maries (3-2, 2-1); Grangeville (2-3, 2-1) is at Kellogg (4-1, 3-0); Priest River (2-2-1, 1-2) visits Bonners Ferry (0-5, 0-3); and Timberlake (2-3, 1-2) treks to Orofino (0-5, 0-3).
In North Star League games, Falls Christian (1-4, 1-2) visits co-leader Kootenai (2-2, 2-1) and co-leader Mullan (2-2, 2-1) travels to Clark Fork (1-3, 1-2).
In a Central Idaho League game today, Lakeside (0-5, 0-4) is at Prairie (1-5, 0-4) at 2. Wallace (3-2, 3-1) entertains Timberline (4-1, 3-1) Friday in a key game to the Miners’ playoff hopes.
Improvement sought
LC hasn’t played well for four quarters since its victories in the first two weeks of the season.
“Coeur d’Alene played very well and we didn’t play very well,” LC coach Van Troxel said of his team’s 28-14 comeback victory last week. “We have got to get squared away. We have to get our (offensive) front on track.”
One facet of LC’s game did come around in the second half. The Timberwolves’ defense shut out CdA in the final two quarters, limiting the Viks’ offense to 64 yards.
Two things concern Troxel this week. First, his team must deal with the distractions associated with homecoming. Second, Moscow is much better than its record indicates.
“Moscow has been ahead of every opponent in the first half,” Troxel said.
The Bears opened a 14-0 lead at Cheney last week and we’re driving for a third TD in the first quarter when penalties stalled them. Cheney rallied for a 27-14 win.
“We’re so close to breaking through,” Schweikert said.
This ‘n that
The key IML game Friday is Grangeville at Kellogg. The winner will take a big step toward a playoff berth.
Post Falls plays its final Border game Friday before launching into the most important part of its schedule. The Trojans’ final three games are home dates with Sandpoint and LC before finishing at CdA.
In the showdown last week between the state’s top-ranked A-1 Division I and II teams, defending Division II state champ Eagle upset Centennial 18-14.
Eagle’s Mustangs dominated the line of scrimmage, opening big holes for running back Donny Heck, who finished with 158 yards. Eagle beat Centennial without two-year starting quarterback Brad Allen, who is serving a suspension for an athletic code violation.
Lakeside coach Ron Miller said his winless Knights played respectably in an 18-0 loss at Wallace last week.
Miller said it was basically a one-touchdown game.
Lakeside’s best shot at a Central Idaho League win could be today when the Knights visit equally struggling Prairie. Lakeside’s chances improved greatly this week with the return of quarterback Brandon Pluff.