Idaho Quick hits
Football
The Sandpoint and Lakeland football teams waged a classic battle last year that decided the 4A Inland Empire League championship.
Sandpoint tripped Lakeland 21-20 at Rathdrum. The teams square off Friday and the game could be every bit as entertaining as last year, if not more. The Bulldogs (5-3, 1-0) can clinch a seventh straight state playoff berth when Lakeland (4-3, 0-0) visits Barlow Stadium.
Lakeland can take a big step toward securing its first 4A playoff berth. The Hawks appear better than they were a year ago when they came close to knocking off the Bulldogs.
Sandpoint is a different team than a year ago. Different doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re better or worse. Just different. Last year, Sandpoint was a ground-oriented team led by tailback Kurt Stoll. This year, the Bulldogs may appear to be balanced, but they’ve definitely had more success passing than running.
This much is true of both teams: They’re better now than at the start of the season.
“This game seems to be identical as it was last year,” Sandpoint coach Mike Mitchell said. “Last year they were saying that this was a defining moment for Lakeland. They seem to be saying the same thing this year. For us, it’s for the league championship.”
While Lakeland will have to be concerned with the pass, the Bulldogs will have to focus on stopping the run – not one particular rusher, but the run in general. Five Hawks have led a balanced rushing attack.
“I think it’s going to be a great game,” Mitchell said. “We’re going to have to play well to win and they’re going to have to play well to beat us. We’re both good enough teams that you can’t lay the ball on the ground and throw picks and have a chance to win.”
The weather forecast calls for the coldest and wettest weather for a Friday night this fall. The prospect doesn’t bother Lakeland coach Tim Kiefer.
“I say let it rain. The more the merrier,” Kiefer said.
Kiefer said it appears that Sandpoint senior quarterback Ryan Armbruster, a two-year starter, is having a solid season.
“He’s improved a lot from last year,” Kiefer said. “He’s making better decisions and they’re doing a better job protecting him.”
There have been times Lakeland has gone into this game as a distinct underdog. Kiefer doesn’t see it that way this season.
“We don’t want to sound overconfident, but we feel it’s a winnable game if we go out and play four quarters of football,” Kiefer said. “They feel like if they go out and play their best game they’ll walk off the field victorious. But I’m sure Sandpoint feels the same way.”
In other games Friday:
“In a 5A IEL game, Lewiston (3-4, 0-1) visits Post Falls (4-3, 0-1) with the loser most likely eliminated from the chase for state playoff berths.
“In a North Star League game, Lakeside (0-5, 0-3) visits Wallace (4-2, 1-2) with the winner earning a 1A Division I playoff berth.
“In final Intermountain League games, league champ Timberlake (5-2, 3-0) plays host to St. Maries (1-6, 0-3) while Kellogg (4-2, 2-1) travels to Bonners Ferry (2-5, 2-1) with the second and third seeds to the 3A state playoffs to be determined.
“In non-league games, Moses Lake (5-2) is at Lake City (6-1), Southridge of Kennewick (3-4) goes to Coeur d’Alene (3-4) and Moscow (2-5) travels to Priest River (2-5).
“The NSL title will be decided tonight when Clark Fork (5-1, 3-0) visits Kootenai (6-1, 3-0). Top seeding to the state playoffs is on the line. The winner will turn around and play host to the loser in the first round of the 1A Division II state playoffs two weeks later.
Volleyball
The 5A Region I title and top seed to state will be decided tonight when Lake City goes to Coeur d’Alene at 7. In a loser-out match, Post Falls travels to Lewiston at 7. The winner will travel to the CdA/LC loser on Saturday at 2 p.m. to decide a second berth to state.
“In a 4A Region I opener tonight, Lakeland travels to Moscow. The tourney concludes Saturday at Sandpoint. Only the regional champ advances to state. The title match is at 3 p.m.
“The 3A District I tourney will be held Saturday at Post Falls High School. The top two teams advance to state. Bonners Ferry meets Timberlake in a loser-out opener at 9 a.m., followed by Kellogg taking on Priest River at 10:30. Defending district champ St. Maries will face the Timberlake-BF winner at noon. The title match is at 3:30.
“The 1A District I tourney concludes Saturday at Mullan. Top-seeded Kootenai takes on Lakeside in the first match at 10 a.m., followed by Wallace meeting Coeur d’Alene Charter at 11. The title match is at 1:15. The top two teams advance to state.
Cross country
The 5A and 4A Region I and 1A District I-II meets will be held this afternoon at Phillips Farm County Park at Moscow beginning at 1 p.m. The top two teams and top one-third individuals advance to state.
“The 3A District I meet is Friday at Mirror Lake Golf Course in Bonners Ferry at 2:30 p.m. The top two teams and top one-third individuals advance to state.