Sandpoint Has Big Test At Cheney

The Sandpoint High football team thinks it’s much improved after three weeks.

And Sandpoint would like another shot at Lake City, which defeated the Bulldogs 21-6 at Sandpoint in a season opener.

For now, though, Sandpoint (2-1 overall and league) will have to settle for a Border League matchup against perhaps the next best thing, Cheney (1-1, 0-1).

“It’s going to be Lake City revisited,” Sandpoint coach Satini Puailoa said. “They have veteran offensive linemen. They’re well-schooled and well-coached.”

The showdown will be played at Eastern Washington University’s Woodward Stadium. Kickoff at Cheney - and at most other games - is at 7 p.m.

In other Border League games, league-leading Lake City (3-0, 3-0) goes to Colville (0-2, 0-2); West Valley (0-2, 0-2) is at Coeur d’Alene (2-2, 2-0); and Clarkston (1-1, 1-1) visits Moscow (0-3, 0-2).

The best non-league game is the annual “Battle of the Prairie” featuring Lakeland (3-0) at Post Falls (2-1).

In Intermountain League action, Kellogg (2-1, 1-0) goes to Bonners Ferry (0-3, 0-1); St. Maries (1-2, 0-1) is at Orofino (1-2, 0-1); and Priest River (2-0-1, 1-0) travels to Grangeville (1-2, 1-0).

In Central Idaho League games, Wallace (1-2, 1-1) visits Potlatch (1-2, 1-1); Lakeside (0-3, 0-2) goes to Lapwai (2-1, 1-1); co-leader Kamiah (4-0, 2-0) entertains Clearwater Valley (1-2, 1-1); and Prairie (1-3, 0-2) is at co-leader Timberline (3-0, 2-0).

In a North Star League game, Kootenai (1-2, 1-1) visits Clark Fork (0-2, 0-1).

Elsewhere, Timberlake (1-2) goes to Deer Park (2-0); Lewiston (2-1) visits top-ranked Centennial (3-0); and Columbia (1-1) of Hunters, Wash., is at Falls Christian (1-2) at 3:30. Mullan has a bye.

Sandpoint at Cheney: The Blackhawks feature a balanced offensive attack with durable running backs Mike Randall and Jeremy Parker and capable quarterback Aaron Madison.

Sandpoint counters with a three-headed, balanced running game: tailback Steve Jackson (245 yards), fullback Brandon Delewese (241) and quarterback Carl Roubicek (296).

The Bulldogs’ passing attack hasn’t developed as quickly as Puailoa’s desired.

“We have to get better,” Puailoa said. “We want to throw it more.”

And the Blackhawks, who typically crowd the line of scrimmage with eight defenders, will try to force Sandpoint to pass.

Puailoa expects Cheney to be charged up Friday.

“We were the only team to beat them in the (regular season) last year,” Puailoa said. “So they’ve got a bone to pick with us. It’s their home debut. We have to respond to the challenge.”

The game should gauge how much Sandpoint has improved.

“It’s a huge test for us,” Puailoa said. “It’ll show us whether we’re they’re yet or whether we’re not.”

Lakeland at Post Falls: This game could be over in record time - especially if both teams run the ball as much as they’d like.

If it’s a ball-control game, possessions could be precious commodities.

Post Falls is just happy to finally be at home after playing its first three games away.

“We’re looking forward to wearing our black jerseys,” Post Falls coach Jeff Choate said. “We’re starting to get healthy, and it’s coming at the right time.”

Lakeland and Post Falls have each won four times and tied once this decade. The average margin of victory is 12 points.

“It doesn’t matter who is favored, who’s up or down,” Choate said. “It’s always a real close game.”

Quick kicks

CdA, heavily favored at home in its homecoming game against West Valley, will be seeking a third straight victory.

The last time the Viks won three in a row was Oct. 4, 1996. It’s also the last time CdA has been over the .500 mark.

The Weeks’ brothers stay at Lake City lasted little more than a week.

Coy, a senior, and Wacy, a sophomore, transferred from Pullman and registered at LC the first day of school. Both turned out for football, but their best sport is basketball.

The Weeks left LC on Sept. 10 and reportedly are living in Billings, Mont.

How about the already topsy-turvy North Star League? A trend seems to be developing.

Slightly favored Clark Fork lost at Mullan last week, Falls Christian also lost at Mullan in a season opener, Kootenai topped visiting Mullan the second week and FCA downed visiting Kootenai last week.

The teams play each other twice. So if they take care of things at home there could be a four-way tie for the league title.

Stay tuned.

Post Falls vs. Lakeland The series in the 1990s between non-league, Rathdrum Prairie rivals Post Falls and Lakeland *1990 Post Falls, 20-14 *1991 Lakeland, 21-3 *1992 Lakeland, 21-12 *1993 Lakeland, 19-7 *1994 Post Falls, 18-14 *1995 Post Falls, 27-7 *1996 Post Falls, 34-13 *1997 Tie, 12-12 *1998 Lakeland, 22-13 *1999 To be decided *Series 4-4-1