Panhandle picks with greg lee
I limped through the end of the regular season. OK, it was more like a sprint before spinning out of control like a bowling ball hitting a fresh patch of wax.
I take consolation in the fact that I won the season battle. But I must give props to co-worker Jim Meehan, who collected his fourth win against Yours Truly in the 11-year history of Panhandle Picks. I was John Kerry gracious in defeat. My overall lead (6-4-1) over Meehan is shrinking.
The final scoreboard shows: The Scribe 63-22 (.741) and the Guests 60-25 (.706).
As I do every year in the first installment of the postseason predictions, you’ll find my picks to win the state titles in each classification. North Idaho could have as many as four teams playing for gold.
Lake City at Coeur d’Alene: I didn’t get to watch the first one in person, but I borrowed a video.
It’s obvious the strengths of both teams are their offenses. While the prevailing theory is defenses step up in the playoffs, it’s going to take a lot of offense for either team to win the rematch. I see the sequel being more entertaining than the preliminary.
The winner plays host to a semifinal next week and will enjoy a huge home-field advantage with a trip to a state final on the line.
Another prevailing theory is it’s difficult to beat a good team twice. While it won’t be a walk in the park, CdA will pull through. CdA 35, LC 28.
Caldwell at Sandpoint: This isn’t the 2003 Bulldogs – at least not on offense. But the Bulldogs are better on defense than they were as 4A state runners-up last year.
Defense will move Sandpoint into the semifinals. Sandpoint 21, Caldwell 14.
Post Falls at Bishop Kelly: The road trip to Boise won’t affect the Trojans. What will trip Post Falls is running into the eventual state champion.
The Knights have too many weapons for the Trojans to defend. BK 28, PF 14.
Fruitland at Timberlake: Few balls will be in the air when these two Wing T teams collide. The Tigers’ T, behind Nate Anderson and Matt Douglas, will outrun Fruitland’s T. Timberlake 35, Fruitland 21.
Genesee at Wallace: Historically, the Whitepine League’s playoff qualifiers are better than the North Star League’s entrants. Wallace, in its first year in the NSL, hasn’t read the conference’s history book. Wallace 31, Genesee 27.
Mullan at Clark Fork: The Wampus Cats ran the Tigers off the field three weeks ago, 50-0, in a regular-season finale. The rematch won’t be much different. CF 48, Mullan 12.