Quick hits
Looking ahead
It’s the game both teams have had circled on their schedules long before the high school season began.
And the way both teams have played the first month has added much intrigue. No. 1-ranked Lake City (4-0) visits Coeur d’Alene (4-1) on Friday. Kickoff at Viking Field – and at most other games in the region – is 7 p.m.
The LC-CdA matchup isn’t the lone game in Kootenai County. In Rathdrum, Post Falls (3-1) and Lakeland (3-2) collide in the Battle of the Rathdrum Prairie. About 11 miles up state Highway 41, Timberlake (4-0, 1-0) plays host to Priest River (3-2, 1-0) in an Intermountain League game with the winner clinching a playoff berth.
Elsewhere, Sandpoint (1-4) tries to make it two straight when it plays host to winless North Central (0-4); Lewiston (2-2) plays at Moscow (2-3); Kootenai (2-2, 1-0) visits Wallace (3-2, 2-0); and Clark Fork (2-2, 0-1) visits Mullan (1-2, 0-1).
“Interestingly, what the LC-CdA game, which is a 5A Inland Empire League opener, boils down to is whether the Timberwolves’ defense can contain the Vikings’ high-octane offense. It was the other way last year.
And in 2004 when CdA marched to the state title game, LC couldn’t slow down the Viks. Defense is where this game will be decided Friday.
“Whichever defense doesn’t break is probably the team that will win,” LC coach Van Troxel said. “That’s one of the things we’re excited about. We’re as good as we’ve been since the state (title) year (2002).”
CdA coach Shawn Amos knows his team is in for its most difficult test.
“They sure look good,” Amos said of LC. “Until someone proves differently they’re the best team in the state. We like our chances. We don’t have to have a miracle game to win. It’s fair to say we’re going to have to play our best game this year, but not a perfect game.”
“In case you missed it, second-ranked Highland (4-0) proved it’s still the king of Eastern Idaho football when it crushed previously undefeated Skyline 45-6.
That sets up an interesting showdown Friday between Highland and top-ranked 4A Pocatello (4-0).
Another interesting matchup pits Capital (4-0) and Mountain View (3-1) in a Southern Idaho Conference divisional opener. The winner will likely win its division.
Looking around
Floor is almost ready
The Coeur d’Alene volleyball team will finally get to play on Elmer Jordan Court next week.
The sparkling new floor is curing this week after the 36-year-old hardwood was torn out and replaced.
League-leading Lake City (10-4, 7-1) will take on CdA (8-6, 5-2) in the first event on the new floor. CdA athletic director Larry Schwenke has invited Elmer Jordan, the former CdA boys basketball coach that the court is named after, to be on hand.
“It’s not a formal re-dedication, but we just wanted Elmer to be there,” Schwenke said.
Big soccer match
It won’t necessarily decide the Inland Empire League title, but Lakeland (8-3-1, 6-3-0) visits league-leading Coeur d’Alene (9-4-1, 7-2-0) in a key girls soccer match today at 4:30.
This ‘n that
Coeur d’Alene quarterback and baseball standout Shea Vucinich has given an oral commitment to play baseball at Washington State. An all-Inland Empire League shortstop and three-year starter, Vucinich also was being recruited by Hawaii, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Rice.
“Lake City senior offensive lineman Carson York (6-5, 290), who has given Oregon an oral commitment, is one of 400 seniors nationwide who have been nominated to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, scheduled for January in San Antonio. About 80 players will be selected.