The rubber match season is upon us.
The Scribe (Greg Lee) won the first Pick 6 season and the Talking Head (Sam Adams) broke through last year. So by season’s end, somebody will have bragging rights.
It should be a season chock full of exciting football, to be sure. The 4A teams in the Greater Spokane League will be hotly competitive, and there could be some parity among the 5A Inland Empire League teams as well.
Of the six games this week, we differ on four. So either one of us will have a nice lead or we’ll be tied up.
Colville at Cheney, Friday, 7
Lee: The Indians, fresh off their State 1A runner-up finish, have some work to do. Graduation hit Colville hard, but Randy Cornwell and staff do a fantastic job and will keep things basic with their base Wing T attack. Defense doesn’t graduate at Colville. Cheney should be improved this year but the GNL will be difficult top to bottom. I’m going with the Blackhawks at home. Cheney 20, Colville 13.
Adams: Colville had all of one loss last season, and it came by a point in overtime in the state championship game against Cascade Christian. That loss has been hanging over coach Randy Cornwell’s head all year. Expect them to come out and make a statement in Cheney. Colville 14, Cheney 10.
University at Sandpoint, Friday, 7
Lee: The scoreboard operator was diagnosed with a sprained wrist following this track meet last year. I suspect many points will be scored this time around, too, and the Titans will be treated to football on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. This will be an entertaining game to be sure. Sandpoint 43, University 27.
Adams: These teams combined for more than 100 points in last year’s opener. We’ll see some more offensive fireworks this time but not in such an AFL-type setting. I like the Bulldogs to win the IEL 4A title and potentially win an Idaho state title, but I can’t shake the feeling that the Titans could put together a run of their own late in the season. All that being said, U-Hi wins this in another epic showdown. U-Hi 42, Sandpoint 38.
Mead at Wenatchee, Friday, 7
Lee: Welcome to the Benji era – Benji Sonnichsen that is. In a battle of the Panthers, Mead’s cats have some talent but they have some big question marks, too. Wenatchee is being picked by some to win the Big 9 Conference. I’m going to go with a minor upset here. Mead’s Panthers open the Benji era in fine fashion. Mead 27, Wenatchee 21.
Adams: Mead’s character is going to be tested right away to start the year. You’re playing in a hostile road environment, and you’re doing it under a new head coach. Mead could surprise some people this year, but I don’t think that success is going to come right away. Wenatchee 21, Mead 7.
Gonzaga Prep at Richland, Friday, 7
Lee: This is a game I’d love to see. The Bullpups will likely stub a toe or two offensively just because it’s an opener. But I expect great things out of the gate for the Bullpups’ defense, which should suffocate the Bombers. G-Prep won’t need much offense. G-Prep 30, Richland 13.
Adams: This was tightly contested last year at G-Prep, and this time the Bullpups have to beat the Bombers at Fran Rish Stadium. Behind a veteran offensive line and a stout defense, G-Prep will be off and running with a win to start the season. G-Prep 34, Richland 14.
Lake City vs. Lewis and Clark, Friday, Albi, 7
Lee: In time the Timberwolves are going to be OK. But they struggled against arguably one of the top two teams in Idaho last week. Lake City should learn from the opener but it won’t be enough against the Tigers. Lewis and Clark 24, Lake City 20.
Adams: Lake City shut out Lewis and Clark this time last year (29-0), but the Tigers have improved markedly since. My question is this: which Lake City is going to show up? The one that got outscored 35-0 in the first half against Rocky Mountain or the one that put up 21 second-half points. I think the turf at Albi will prove to be the difference maker with Lake City cutting the rug. Lake City 24, Lewis and Clark 20.
Coeur d’Alene at Central Valley, Friday, 7
Lee: It had been 11 years since a CdA team had been shut out until last week. And Skyline isn’t as good as what I envision CV to be this year. So it’s out of the fire and into the frying pan for the Vikings this week. The Bears have been notoriously slow starters the past five years. If CV sputters, CdA will have more than a chance. CV 30, CdA 21.
Adams: Even after getting shut out for the first time in recent memory, the Vikings have the upper hand simply because they have a game under their belts. CV has certainly close the gap since last year’s 50-14 loss at CdA. CV 27, CdA 21.
