Rival Cousins Not Hatfields And Mccoys

Yes, bragging rights are on the line for players and coaches when the Lake City and Coeur d’Alene football teams tangle Friday.

It’s much more personal for a couple of players, though. Family crowing rights will be up for grabs for Lake City defensive tackle Jeff Edwards and Coeur d’Alene middle linebacker Ben Wolfe, both seniors.

Edwards and Wolfe are cousins (Edwards’ mother is the sister of Wolfe’s father). And the players are arguably their teams’ best defensive players.

Wolfe was first-team all-Border League last year; Edwards was named most valuable player of the defensive line at the University of Idaho’s summer camp.

They attend family get-togethers, but they’re not bosom buddies.

“We’re not enemies, but we’re not best friends,” Wolfe explained. “Our relationship is more of a natural rivalry probably because we both play football. We’d probably be good friends if we were at the same school.”

Edwards, eight days older than Wolfe, agrees.

There won’t be any phone calls exchanged this week. The last time they talked was the weekend before their season openers when relatives came to town.

“We were just sizing up each team and asking each other about the jamboree,” Wolfe said.

LC coach Van Troxel knew Edwards had a relative at CdA, but didn’t know the specifics until Monday. Prior to Monday, CdA coach Shawn Amos didn’t know a kinship tied the teams together, either.

But both coaches see a striking similarity between the players.

“He’s as intense as they come,” Troxel said of Edwards. “Jeff really sparks our intensity. He keeps everybody going on the field.”

“He’s a defensive guy; he has a defensive mentality,” Amos said of Wolfe. “He’s a vocal leader. He runs the show in the huddle. It doesn’t surprise me that they’re related.”

Although their primary positions are on defense, they could see time going 1-on-1 against each other.

Edwards may not come off the field as he’ll see considerable action at strong tackle. That could mean Edwards may have opportunities to block Wolfe.

Likewise, Wolfe will see a series here and there at right guard. That could put him face mask to face mask with Edwards, who lines up at left defensive tackle.

While they may not be tight, there’s mutual admiration.

“He’s worked hard, and I respect him for how well he’s been playing,” Edwards said.

Said Wolfe: “I watched him a little bit at (summer) camp. I know he’s a good player.”

Both players believe their defenses are the best around. That should be decided Friday.

“I think we’re quicker than anyone they’ve played,” Edwards said. “This is our season (Friday). If we lose this, we’re basically out (of the playoff hunt). They’re going to want it just as bad, but maybe we’ll want it more.”

Said Wolfe: “I feel Lake City isn’t as good as last year, and we’re twice the team we were last year. Lake City was very good last year. Last year’s team showed me a lot more than this year’s team.”

Win or lose, both say they’ll congratulate each other afterward.

And just one will walk off with the family bragging rights.