Crosstown rivalry highlights playoffs
Most sequels aren’t better than the original.
In the case of the rematch between the Lake City and Coeur d’Alene football teams, the State 5A playoff opener Friday at LC has to be better than the game Sept. 29 that saw the Timberwolves hold off the Vikings 21-18.
Sure the close final margin of the regular-season game between the crosstown rivals would suggest it had to be entertaining. But it wasn’t. The multiple mistakes made by both teams made it unsightly.
Kickoff in the playoff game will be at 7 p.m.
Both No. 1 ranked Lake City (9-0) and Coeur d’Alene (7-2) have improved since they faced off a month ago. The T-Wolves posted lopsided wins over Post Falls (56-20) and Lewiston (55-20). The Vikings also cruised to victories over Post Falls (40-29) and Lewiston (46-26).
In the first game, LC had 21 penalties for 155 yards while losing two fumbles and throwing an interception. CdA had 14 fewer penalties but lost three fumbles and had an interception.
LC coach Van Troxel was extremely upset with the penalties and what he called a lack of discipline in the first game. CdA coach Shawn Amos thought the difference was his team’s turnovers.
“The two best teams in North Idaho are playing each other,” Troxel said. “I wish it could be a different scenario – maybe playing in the second round. No matter what whoever comes out of the game has got a shot at going a long ways.”
Both teams are expected to be at full strength. LC lost starting offensive tackle Carson York to a hip injury in the first game. York returned last week and saw limited action against Lewiston. CdA has played without speedy wide receiver/defensive back Calvin Peterson (bruised quad) the last two weeks, but he’s expected to be ready to play Friday.
“It’s going to be a great matchup,” Troxel said. “Our kids are excited about it. They know that Coeur d’Alene has been our best challenge, and they’re going to give us a heckuva ballgame.”
Interestingly, all four first-round games in 5A are repeats of regular-season games. In the other opener on the same side of the bracket as LC and CdA, Meridian (6-3) visits Eagle (8-2).
In the other openers, second-ranked Centennial (9-0) plays host to Mountain View (6-3) and Highland (8-1) entertains Skyline (8-1).
In the earlier games between the teams, Meridian boat raced Eagle 56-0; Centennial held off Mountain View 10-9; and Highland had no difficulty in a 45-6 win over Skyline.
Other area playoffs
There are four other playoff games involving area teams.
In 4A, Sandpoint (5-4) plays host to two-time defending state champ Bishop Kelly (8-1) on Friday.
In 3A, Declo (7-2) visits second-ranked Timberlake (9-0) on Saturday at 1 p.m.
In 1A Division I, Troy (8-1) visits Wallace (4-4) on Saturday at 1.
In 1A Division II, Mullan (4-3) visits Kootenai (6-2) in the third game between the teams. Officials haven’t decided if the game will be played Friday or Saturday.
Kootenai shut out Mullan 50-0 to clinch the North Star League title last Friday. In an earlier non-league game between the teams, Kootenai won 48-12.
“Sandpoint head coach Mike Mitchell and defensive coordinator Brian Smith traveled to Boise on Friday to watch Bishop Kelly defeat Mountain Home 31-9.
Mitchell likens BK to Lewiston in terms of size and athletic ability. Sandpoint defeated Lewiston 34-21.
“It should be a good game,” Mitchell said. “We’ll need to spread things out a bit. We just can’t try to roll over them with Kurt (Stoll, running back). We’ll need to try to keep them off balance.”
“Timberlake coach Roy Albertson was pleased with his team in a 49-3 win over Priest River in a playoff opener last Friday.
“I thought we played as well as we could play,” Albertson said. “I was pleased with the intensity that our kids came to play with. It’s hard to play a team twice, especially when you’ve beaten them badly. But our kids took it to them.”
All-IEL volleyball
The Inland Empire League volleyball coaches announced their all-league team Sunday.
Lewiston senior setter Kim Fong was named the player of the year. Sandpoint senior Savanna Lester was named defensive player of the year and Sandpoint freshman Piper Wahlin was named newcomer of the year. Karen Alsager of Sandpoint was named coach of the year.
Named to the first team were: Katie Watson of Sandpoint, Riki Moreland of Lake City, Marissa Duncan of Lakeland, Kama Griffitts of Coeur d’Alene, Beth Samuel of Post Falls and Joey Larson of Lewiston.
Named to the second team were: Maddie Dolny of Moscow, Caitlin Crimp of LC, Katy Rossner of CdA, Kaylen Meredith of LC, Natalie Stewart of CdA, Lydia Tollbom of Sandpoint and Tabitha Maybrey of LC.