Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

Hold on to that dirt, high school football fans. Yours truly still has a discernible heartbeat!

I posted my first victory last week, pulling within one of the guests overall.

I picked 11 of 14 correctly. My guest, Coeur d’Alene High activities secretary Irene Ihly, was 10 of 14. In her defense, she picked Timberlake, which lost 34-14 at Deer Park, because she sought assistance from CdA coach Shawn Amos, whose brother, Kelly, is Timberlake’s head coach.

With five weeks remaining, the scoreboard reads: Scribe 34 of 49 (.694), Guests 35 of 49 (.714).

My guest this week is Dale Roberts, assistant principal in charge of discipline at Lake City. He hopes to take me to the woodshed.

Roberts, who plans to retire in a year or two, graduated in 1961 from Whitworth College, where he played on the school’s national championship baseball team. He’s a member of Whitworth’s Athletic Heritage Hall of Fame. He’s been a vice principal in the CdA School District since 1976.

Coeur d’Alene at Lake City: On paper, the T-Pups are heavily favored against the Sea Rovers.

On paper, LC has striking advantages in size, strength, depth and, last but certainly not least, weapons.

Now crumple that paper and consider this is an intracity rivalry.

On second thought, press the wrinkles out of the paper. The only way this game is close is if LC tapes its shoes together - a la Kevin Garnett - and the Viks play their best game of the year. LC should win by at least two touchdowns. LC 34, CdA 18. (P.S. This paper is allergic to compounds found most commonly in bulletin boards).

Guest: The rivalry between the two schools will cause both teams to put forth their best effort and it will be close through the half. Lake City’s depth and ball control will take its toll in the second half. The Timberwolves will prove too much for the Vikings. LC 35, CdA 20.

Lakeland at Grangeville: This is Goliath (Lakeland) vs. David (Grangeville) in terms of physical dimensions.

Tiny Grangeville doesn’t have enough rocks to knock out the behemoths of Rathdrum. Both teams were undefeated in league last year when they played, and Lakeland drilled the Bulldogs 48-0.

The long trip for Lakeland should keep Grangeville from suffering a repeat performance. LL 35, Grangeville 7.

Guest: Lakeland has beaten some tough opponents already and has proven it will live up to its reputation as tough and hard-nosed. I have to go with the Hawks, even though it’s a long trip to Grangeville. Lakeland is too strong for Grangeville. LL 28, Grangeville 13.

Colville at Sandpoint: The Indians have been quite respectable in three opening losses at home. A thwarted 2-point conversion attempt kept them from upsetting Lake City last week (21-20).

But Colville, led by talented quarterback Ryan Bradeen, finds the cookin’ away from home not as flavorful. Sandpoint 23, Colville 14.

Guest: I believe Colville played its best game of the season last week against Lake City. The Indians won’t repeat that effort. Sandpoint will not stop Colville’s passing game completely, but will contain it enough to win. Sandpoint 28, Colville 14.

Other games

Lee Roberts

Post Falls 20, W. Valley 13 Post Falls 28, W. Valley 14

Cheney 26, Moscow 13 Cheney 30, Moscow 13

Lewiston 36, Clarkston 13 Lewiston 35, Clarkston 19

Timberlake 18, B. Ferry 16 B. Ferry 27, Timberlake 13

Kellogg 22, Orofino 12 Kellogg 28, Orofino 14

St. Maries 20, P. River 14 St. Maries 21, P. River 7

Clark Fork 36, F. Christian 34 F. Christian 28, Clark Fork 21

Mullan 34, Troy 22 Mullan 21, Troy 7

Wallace 35, Lakeside 6 Wallace 20, Lakeside 7