Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

Several people thought I picked a guest who didn’t have a chance against me for the season-opening week.

As usual, those folks were wrong. I’m pleased to announce my first guest, Coeur d’Alene High assistant principal Jeff Bengtson, was more than a worthy opponent.

I’m not pleased to announce the results, though. Bengtson picked seven of nine games correctly and I finished second with six.

Not only am I playing from behind this week, but I’m taking on a giant. It’s David (me) vs. Goliath (the guest, Nick Menegas).

Menegas resigned as head football coach at Lewiston last fall to find out what fall was like without coaching. He left a winning program at Post Falls in the mid-1980s to take over at Lewiston and directed the Bengals to two state championships in 13 years.

My guess is he’ll be back coaching sooner rather than later. He was born to coach, and he ranks as one of my all-time favorite coaches.

Cheney at Lake City: Revenge isn’t a motivational tool LC’s coaches are likely to use Friday.

Regardless of the Timberwolves’ lack of motivation last year, Cheney flat out wanted the game more than LC.

LC caught itself looking past the Blackhawks.

T-Wolves coach Van Troxel said Cheney has his team’s full attention. The winner will have the inside track for the first Border League championship.

LC has a week’s head start. The T-Wolves get the nod. LC 23, Cheney 14.

Guest: Lake City has great team speed and a very confident, solid program. Cheney is always fundamentally sound - not flashy, but very well-coached. LC 27, Cheney 24.

Timberlake at Lakeland: The Tigers aren’t in the Hawks’ league. It’s a numbers game here, and Lakeland has more athletes than Timberlake.

But the Tigers will avoid getting blown out like last year (51-6). Lakeland 32, Timberlake 13.

Guest: Coach (Terry) Kiefer and staff continue to impress me. This one should be a Hawks victory. Lakeland 27, Timberlake 6.

Coeur d’Alene at Colville: The Viks came close to pulling off a quality win against a quality program last week.

The biggest hurdle facing CdA this week isn’t physical. It’s mental.

The Viks have played three games. This is Colville’s opener. Viks win. CdA 19, Colville 13.

Guest: Coeur d’Alene looked awful against Lewiston, but coach (Shawn) Amos and staff will rally the troops. CdA 20, Colville 14.

Meridian at Lewiston: Menegas may be gone, but his influence remains. Lewiston 35, Meridian 13.

Guest: Lewiston’s skill positions are as good as they have ever been. Meridian must force the Bengals to run the football. Lewiston 31, Meridian 14.

Other games

Lee Menegas

Post Falls 27, Clarkston 14 Clarkston 20, Post Falls 13

Sandpoint 20, W. Valley 7 W. Valley 20, Sandpoint 14

Moscow 20, Pullman 14 Pullman 26, Moscow 13

Chewelah 24, B. Ferry 13 Chewelah 26, B. Ferry 12

C. Fork 32, Genesee 28 Genesee 34, C. Fork 22

Mullan 48, Kootenai 18 Mullan 42, Kootenai 12

Colton 32, F. Christian 24 Colton 36, F. Christian 12

Wallace 18, C. Valley 12 Wallace 20, C. Valley 16

St. Maries 22, Riverside 13 St. Maries 26, Riverside 14

Timberline 26, Lakeside 12 Lakeside 20, Timberline 13

P. River 21, Newport 19 Newport 26, P. River 13