Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

Unpublished correction: This incorrect headline appeared in the published text: Hedline for picks

The sun is setting earlier and there’s a crispness in the air at night.

Ah, it could only mean one thing - it’s time for the seventh installment of Panhandle Picks with yours truly and different guest each week.

That odor of football is also the purest scent, too - high school.

Since beginning this feature in 1994, I’ve beaten my guests five of six seasons. I plan to stretch it to half a dozen this fall.

Please welcome my first victim (er, guest), Mark Duvall.

Duvall is a big supporter of high school sports in Kootenai County, especially at Lakeland where the oldest of three children, Anika, was a standout three-sport athlete the past three years.

He’s owned Centennial Distributing since moving to the Panhandle in 1990.

Sandpoint at Lake City: This opener is akin to USC-UCLA, UW-WSU or Idaho-Boise State opening. It doesn’t get any bigger than this at the high school level.

Last year, Lake City went to Sandpoint and posted the first of what would be 11 straight victories. The string was snapped in the state final.

Could it be a repeat scenario? Regardless of the outcome both teams believe they could challenge for a state title.

The element that weighs heaviest in my picking the winner comes down to where the game is being played. Therefore, LC 28, Sandpoint 21.

Guest: Lake City has all the weapons to put this game away. With (Matt) Stern at quarterback LC can look forward to a lot of offense. LC 28, Sandpoint 14.

Coeur d’Alene at Lakeland: This opener is more critical for the Vikings than the Hawks.

The Vikings should have their best season since the early ‘90s. They can give their season a huge jump start with a victory.

The plots are simple. Lakeland must stop Vik running back Paul Ziegler and Coeur d’Alene must not let senior running back/ linebacker Casey Phelps, arguably the best player in North Idaho, stop it.

In a thrilling opener, CdA 21, Lakeland 19.

Guest: Lakeland won last year and it looks like Lakeland has the speed in the backfield. Plus a staunch defense will help the Hawks pull this game out. Lakeland 21, CdA 17.

Moscow at Post Falls: The winner of this game figures to have an outside chance to make noise in deciding the two state playoff berths for A-1 teams.

This is a crucial game for both teams. A loss could take a lot of air out a team’s hopes.

Moscow has the skill players, Post Falls has the horses in the trenches. I’ll go with the horses. Post Falls 13, Moscow 7.

Guest: Moscow looks for real this year and should give Post Falls all it can take with its veer running game and overall speed. Moscow 21, Post Falls 18.

Other games

Lee Duvall

Kellogg 14, Wallace 13 Kellogg 21, Wallace 10

Lewiston 28, Pendleton 14 Lewiston 14, Pendleton 7

Priest River 21, T-Lake 14 Priest River 17, T-Lake 14

St. Maries 19, Kamiah 14 St. Maries 21, Kamiah 7

Libby 21, B. Ferry 20 B. Ferry 21, Libby 16

Lakeside 36, F.Christian 34 F.Christian 14, Lakeside 7

Mullan 36, Kootenai 22 Kootenai 14, Mullan 10