Panhandle picks with greg lee

Good news and bad news.

First, the bad news. I didn’t follow up my perfect opening week with an encore.

The good news? The Scribe still managed to double his lead on the guests.

More good news. I saved $189.63 on my car insura … (OK, those Geico commercials have reached the tired juncture already).

I picked eight of 11 correctly while my guest, North Idaho College volleyball coach Bret Taylor, barely broke the .500 mark at 6-5. (Scoreboard: Scribe 19-3, .864; Guests 15-7, .682).

My guest this week is first-year Sandpoint athletic director Cheryl Klein. She was a teacher at Sandpoint for 18 years before taking the administrative job. The Bulldogs’ cross country coach for 12 seasons, Klein is in her 29th year in education.

Sandpoint at Coeur d’Alene: The winner gets a leg up on the Inland Empire League in the chase for the championship. But mark my words – no team will cruise through league undefeated.

As good as this game should be between two playoff-bound teams, most folks won’t remember it come mid-October because it has no bearing on the state playoffs. There are more important games looming.

Still, yards and yards of pride are on the line. This game had become most important to CdA until the Vikings upset the Bulldogs at Sandpoint last year. Now Sandpoint is seeking a measure of revenge.

The Bulldogs’ stout defense will be tested by CdA’s versatile offense. The Viks will win for a second consecutive year. CdA 24, Sandpoint 21.

Guest: Coeur d’Alene is on the rise, but Sandpoint remembers last year. Sandpoint 24, CdA 17.

Timberline at Lake City: In any other week, this game would be the must-see contest in the area. But not Friday (see game above).

This could be a preview of a 5A state semifinal in mid-November. Timberline’s high-octane offense will struggle against an LC defense that won’t be stranded on the field like it was last week when the offense lost five of eight fumbles. LC 28, Timberline 21.

Guest: This will be a tough offensive contest. Lake City will win in a tiebreaker. LC 27, Timberline 24.

Lakeland at Lewiston: How’s this for an introduction to the IEL for the Hawks: the most difficult road trip in the league.

The Bengals should prevail. But if Lakeland’s defense plays error-free, the Hawks have a chance. Lewiston 21, Lakeland 14.

Guest: Lakeland has moved into the 4A division this year and will be playing up to 5A against Lewiston. Lewiston 38, Lakeland 6.

Other games