October is when action really picks up

It’s October and that usually means one specific thing in my mind – entertaining high school football.

Not that what we witnessed in September was refried beans. But the best teams have a way of emerging this month.

They clinch state playoff berths and that takes us into November and the postseason.

Lest we forget, though, there are other fall sports. Next week, for example, area soccer teams will decide state berths, and state tourneys take place the following week. The soccer season began a week earlier this fall in hopes that state could be contested in milder, less winter-like conditions than recent years.

I can’t believe I’m saying that after the gorgeous weather last week. But that was September and history tells us that the weather changes dramatically in October.

Area volleyball teams decide league titles and conclude regular-season play next week. State-qualifying cross country meets are two weeks away, with state in Lewiston the final Saturday this month.

Back to football. So what did we learn about the chase for state playoff berths last month? Go ahead and plan on a rematch between Coeur d’Alene and Lake City in the first round of the 5A playoffs. Lakeland has emerged as a slight favorite to knock off Sandpoint for the lone 4A state berth. They square off Oct. 13 in Rathdrum. Timberlake will clinch the Intermountain League title next week when it plays host to defending champ Bonners Ferry, which will join the Tigers and Priest River in the 3A playoffs.

There’s only one thing better than football in October – the state playoffs in November.

And I can’t wait.