Pick 6: Shadle Park should rebound
We’ll suspend with the give-and-take about the head-to-head competition between myself and Sam Adams.
It’s the last week of September and we’re soon going to flip the calendar and start seeing teams jockeying for postseason berths.
Some teams have made statements loud and clear that they’re in it for the long haul. Other teams just want to find their way before they’re just a blip in the rearview mirror.
All games are Friday unless otherwise noted.
Lee: Going into the season I was excited to see if the Bears, who have gone to a spread offense, could match up against the Highlanders. But the Bears haven’t found their stride and some are wondering if they will. Shadle has too many weapons and a respectable defense. Shadle 48, CV 14. Adams: Central Valley had a much-needed bounce-back performance last week and I suspect the Bears will give the Highlanders a run for their money. Still, Shadle Park has speed to burn and should win this one fairly convincingly. Shadle 42, CV 28.
Lee: Some years this is a one-side nonleague rivalry. Other years the teams wage a tug of war to the final whistle. This will be one of those who-is-left-standing type of games. It won’t be for the faint of heart. The game will be an important gauge for 3A Lakeland and Sandpoint, which lost a season opener to the 4A Trojans 42-39. The Hawks have a nice balance of offense and defense. Lakeland 28, Post Falls 21. Adams: Lakeland may be a little shellshocked from a 21-10 loss to Cheney, and they’ll have to limit the big play from Post Falls to emerge with a victory. I think the Hawks will rebound and get it done against a very tough Trojan squad. Lakeland 28, Post Falls 21.
Lee: Both teams are trying to find some consistent footing. The Bulldogs benefit from being at home. Sandpoint 35, EV 13. Adams: The sky’s the limit for Sandpoint after a stunning 21-14 win over Mt. Spokane at Joe Albi. They lost their first two games by a combined 10 points, but they could pull off their third win in a row on Friday night. Sandpoint 42, EV 35.
Lee: Another attractive matchup in the new GSL format. Nonleague, sure. But it would have gone far deciding a league champ in the old format. This should be a humdinger. While both teams have offensive weapons I see defenses controlling things. G-Prep 24, Mt. Spokane 21. Adams: Is this the best of the GSL 4A against 3A? Maybe. Mt. Spokane has traditionally played against the run very well, so this game should suit them just fine. But even the best defense can only hope to contain Jack Bamis. G-Prep 35, Mt. Spokane 28.
Lee: This faceoff between South Hill rivals should be a knuckle buster start to finish. I see a big play deciding the outcome. LC 28, Ferris 21. Adams: Ferris finally got its offense going last Thursday against U-High. Now we’ll see if Jalen Hicks can avoid the hype and keep it going against the rival Tigers. Ferris 24, LC 21.
Lee: A rematch of the 2013 5A state final – a game won by the Viks late behind then sophomore quarterback Austin Lee. The Rams’ real measure of revenge could come if the teams meet in the state final. This should be a slugfest. CdA 27, Highland 24. Adams: No way I’m betting against the Vikings. Not this week, not any week. Coeur d’Alene should keep the state championship rolling this Friday on this SWX broadcast game. CdA 28, Highland 23.
Central Valley vs. Shadle Park, Thursday, Albi, 7:15
Lee: Going into the season I was excited to see if the Bears, who have gone to a spread offense, could match up against the Highlanders. But the Bears haven’t found their stride and some are wondering if they will. Shadle has too many weapons and a respectable defense. Shadle 48, CV 14. Adams: Central Valley had a much-needed bounce-back performance last week and I suspect the Bears will give the Highlanders a run for their money. Still, Shadle Park has speed to burn and should win this one fairly convincingly. Shadle 42, CV 28.
Post Falls at Lakeland, 7
Lee: Some years this is a one-side nonleague rivalry. Other years the teams wage a tug of war to the final whistle. This will be one of those who-is-left-standing type of games. It won’t be for the faint of heart. The game will be an important gauge for 3A Lakeland and Sandpoint, which lost a season opener to the 4A Trojans 42-39. The Hawks have a nice balance of offense and defense. Lakeland 28, Post Falls 21. Adams: Lakeland may be a little shellshocked from a 21-10 loss to Cheney, and they’ll have to limit the big play from Post Falls to emerge with a victory. I think the Hawks will rebound and get it done against a very tough Trojan squad. Lakeland 28, Post Falls 21.
East Valley at Sandpoint, 7
Lee: Both teams are trying to find some consistent footing. The Bulldogs benefit from being at home. Sandpoint 35, EV 13. Adams: The sky’s the limit for Sandpoint after a stunning 21-14 win over Mt. Spokane at Joe Albi. They lost their first two games by a combined 10 points, but they could pull off their third win in a row on Friday night. Sandpoint 42, EV 35.
Mt. Spokane at G-Prep, 7
Lee: Another attractive matchup in the new GSL format. Nonleague, sure. But it would have gone far deciding a league champ in the old format. This should be a humdinger. While both teams have offensive weapons I see defenses controlling things. G-Prep 24, Mt. Spokane 21. Adams: Is this the best of the GSL 4A against 3A? Maybe. Mt. Spokane has traditionally played against the run very well, so this game should suit them just fine. But even the best defense can only hope to contain Jack Bamis. G-Prep 35, Mt. Spokane 28.
LC vs. Ferris, 7:30
Lee: This faceoff between South Hill rivals should be a knuckle buster start to finish. I see a big play deciding the outcome. LC 28, Ferris 21. Adams: Ferris finally got its offense going last Thursday against U-High. Now we’ll see if Jalen Hicks can avoid the hype and keep it going against the rival Tigers. Ferris 24, LC 21.
Highland at Coeur d’Alene, 7
Lee: A rematch of the 2013 5A state final – a game won by the Viks late behind then sophomore quarterback Austin Lee. The Rams’ real measure of revenge could come if the teams meet in the state final. This should be a slugfest. CdA 27, Highland 24. Adams: No way I’m betting against the Vikings. Not this week, not any week. Coeur d’Alene should keep the state championship rolling this Friday on this SWX broadcast game. CdA 28, Highland 23.