More tests ahead for Handle teams
Things could get worse before they get better for the 5A football teams in Kootenai County. But there’s no reason to be alarmed.
Sure, Lewiston is off to the best start of the Inland Empire League bunch at 2-0. But the Bengals’ schedule is soft and will remain that way until mid-October.
Lake City was beaten every way possible by defending Washington State 4A champ Lewis and Clark last week. Southridge of Kennewick exposed some weaknesses in preseason favorite Coeur d’Alene. And Post Falls predictably fell on the road against Mountain View in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.
Post Falls should get its first win Friday in a home opener against Cheney. CdA will likely lose again when it travels to Moses Lake. And Lake City could suffer a loss worse than last week when it takes on California power Del Oro of Sacramento in the four-game Rocky Mountain Rumble at Holt Arena in Pocatello on Saturday. The game will be carried live on Altitude Sports at 1 p.m. PDT.
Post Falls, Lake City and CdA all have at least one more test before September gives way to October. PF plays host to Eagle of Meridian; CdA will entertain traditional 5A power Centennial; and Lake City travels to Gonzaga Prep.
At best, PF, LC and CdA will come out of the first half of the season with equal wins and losses. One or two could have more losses than wins.
What does it all mean? Absolutely nothing until mid-October. The difficult schedules will best prepare those teams for the most important part of their schedules while it’s a good bet that Lewiston will roll through its cupcake schedule undefeated.
•Timberlake, too, has some difficult tests before it opens Intermountain League play. In fact, the Tigers will likely be 0-3 when they open league action Sept. 26 at home against Priest River.
Kellogg, which anticipated challenging Timberlake for the league title, has had a rocky start.
Panhandle picks
Speaking of rocky starts, yours truly was less than sterling in my first go around last week. I went 7-5 and was 0-2 on the featured games.
Coeur d’Alene at Moses Lake: The Chiefs were picked to finish second behind Southridge, which beat the Vikings 33-17 last week.
The Vikings need to get their offense untracked. I’m beginning to wonder, though, if returning 13 starters off a team that went 3-6 is much of an advantage over the other teams. CdA faces a tall order on the road. Moses Lake 28, CdA 21.
Cheney at Post Falls: The Trojans need a win, but it won’t be easy. Mistakes by both teams will allow this to be a thriller until the end. PF 28, Cheney 20.
•In other games: Del Oro 35, Lake City 13; Lakeland 24, Colville 20; Middleton 21, Sandpoint 14; Lewiston 28, Hermiston 10; Wallace 36, Lakeside 12; Kootenai 48, Mullan 6; Kettle Falls 20, Bonners Ferry 14; Pullman 28, Moscow 20; Kamiah 28, St. Maries 13.
Shopping around
Several schools are courting Lake City basketball standout Katie Baker.
Baker, who led LC to a state title two years ago, has arranged a visit to Big Sky power Montana. She’s also talked with UC Santa Barbara and Pepperdine, among others.
Free day at Silverwood?
Not exactly. It’s the annual Silverwood Coaster Cross meet Saturday, and the competition could be as entertaining as any of the theme park’s wild rides.
The varsity girls face off at 9:30 a.m., followed about 30 minutes later by the boys.
The race to watch is the girls. It features a rematch between 5A state champ Kinsey Gomez of Coeur d’Alene and state runner-up Nicole Nielsen of Borah. Also in the field is 4A state champ Megan Bartlett of Sandpoint.
Gomez, a sophomore, upset Nielsen, a senior, last year at state.
Coming up
Cross country is the featured topic in the Prairie Voice today and the Handle Extra on Saturday.