Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

It’s official. I’m in a midseason slump.

Of 22 picks the past two weeks, I’ve made just one that’s worth noting.

I picked Lake City to prevail in a tight game last week against Coeur d’Alene while my guest, CdA teacher and coach Larry Bieber (for obvious reasons), my teammate Jim Meehan, the talking heads at KVNI (Jeff McLean and Dick Haugen) and a sportswriter at the other local newspaper (whose name won’t be revealed but whose initials are M.N.) all tabbed CdA.

That’s all I’ll say about that pick. I can’t crow about it considering my ghastly effort overall. I stumbled in at 5 of 10 while Bieber picked 7 of 10.

My lead has shrunk to two. My season total is 39 of 56 (.696) while the guests are 37 of 56 (.661).

This week’s guest is another of my all-time favorite coaches, Wallace athletic director Dick Lilienkamp.

Born and raised in Wallace, Lilienkamp, 58, is in his 38th year at Wallace, 19 of which were spent as head boys basketball coach until he retired two years ago.

Clarkston at Coeur d’Alene: A year ago this week, the Vikings were coming off a 28-14 loss to Lake City.

Worse than the loss, though, was losing quarterback Kyle Ahlf for the season with a broken leg.

The Viks’ next game at the time was their opponent this week. CdA picked off five passes, returning two for touchdowns in a 42-13 win at Clarkston.

Last week, Clarkston posted its first win in 19 years against cross-river rival Lewiston (13-12). The Bantams, behind left-handed quarterback Brian Baugh, are much improved.

And the 2000 Viks are no comparison to the 1999 edition. CdA is eager to bounce back from a frustrating loss. And it will. CdA 28, Clarkston 13.

Guest: Coeur d’Alene let one get away last week. That’s not going to happen this week. CdA 35, Clarkston 20.

Sandpoint at Lewiston: It makes no sense to pick against Lewiston at home.

Clarkston fell at Sandpoint 26-7 three weeks ago in a game that was more like a touchdown difference. Clarkston upset Lewiston 13-12 last week.

Sandpoint continues to be one-dimensional offensively. Lewiston has allowed more than 1,000 yards in total offense the past two weeks.

I can’t give you a specific reason why, but … Sandpoint 20, Lewiston 19.

Guest: Both have good teams. Both have good coaching staffs. Another close contest. But I find it very difficult to select against any Lewiston team when coach (Nick) Menegas is part of the program. Lewiston 20, Sandpoint 14.

Wallace at Lakeside: Wallace has clearly been the dominant team in the series, winning all four games in the 1990s.

Wallace isn’t as good as recent teams, and Lakeside is as good as it has been in three years.

Lakeside’s talented rushing duo of Justin Hendrickx and Leonard Johnson will be difficult to contain. In an upset special: Lakeside 28, Wallace 26.

Guest: Close game! Coach (Ron) Miller’s Lakeside team will play tough. For what Lakeside lacks in numbers, it makes up for in desire. At stake is the best A-3 football team in District I. Wallace will win, but it will take its “A” game to get it done. Wallace 26, Lakeside 20.

Other games

Lee Lilienkamp

Lake City 32, Moscow 13 Lake City 31, Moscow 14

Cheney 25, Post Falls 13 Cheney 36, Post Falls 14

Lakeland 37, B. Ferry 7 Lakeland 34, B. Ferry 7

P. River 34, St. Maries 13 P. River 31, St. Maries 12

Kellogg 14, T. Lake 13 Kellogg 21, T. Lake 14

FCA 36, Kootenai 34 FCA 41, Kootenai 26

Mullan 60, C. Fork 22 Mullan 48, C. Fork 28