How could the Coeur d’Alene School District afford to pay for the Coeur d’Alene football team to travel to Folsom, California?

Easy. The only cost the school district covered was for buses to Spokane International Airport to pick up the team when it returned Sunday.

Folsom paid for charter buses to California and Viking players raised funds to pay for their return flights, CdA coach Shawn Amos said.

The game came about through a friendship between CdA and Folsom assistant coaches.

Amos knew playing a perennial power like Folsom would be a big test for his team. Including its 55-36 win Saturday, Folsom is 60-3 since 2012 with two losses to nationally No. 1-ranked De La Salle of Concord, California, in the northern California regional finals in 2012 and 2013. Folsom was 16-0 in 2014 and 14-1 last year.

The elite powerhouse is located just east of Sacramento, California’s state capital.

CdA expects to be in the mix for a state championship.

“They are as they were advertised,” Amos said of Folsom. “Their speed was incredible. They had three (NCAA) Division I receivers that are all taller than 6-(foot)-1 and run 4.4 (40-yard dash times).”

What pleased Amos is the Viks forced Folsom to play its starters to the end. CdA pulled within 48-36 with about 4 minutes to play. Folsom put it away with a last-second score.

University of Oregon-commit quarterback Colson Yankoff led CdA. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 301 yards and rushed for 81.

Folsom rode the arm of Joe Curry, who was making his first start. He threw for 551 yards and six touchdowns in the first half.

“There’s no doubt physically we went toe to toe,” Amos said. “If we could catch them we tackled them. Sometimes we couldn’t catch them. There’s a reason their record is what it is.”

Amos said the teams plan to play next year.

“I’d love it if they come up but to be fair they’re an elite program. They don’t have to come to Coeur d’Alene to find a football game. I would be perfectly fine if we go back down.”

GOLDEN FOOTBALL DEDICATION

At halftime Friday of Liberty’s season opener, the Lancers will be honoring former standout Dave Browning, a 1974 graduate.

Browning is one of 3,000 players and head coaches and Liberty is one of 2,000 schools recognized last year when the NFL celebrated Super Bowl 50. The NFL sent gold footballs to every high school that produced a player or coach who appeared in a Super Bowl.

Browning was a member of the Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders in 1981. He will be at the ceremony along with his former Liberty coach, Ed Alward.

After leaving Liberty, Browning went on to play at the University of Washington. During his time there the Huskies were Rose Bowl champions.

Browning was the 26th pick in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft. He played for the Raiders from 1978-1982 and one season with the New England Patriots. He finished his career playing two years with the Oakland Invaders in the United States Football League.

MEMORIAL SCOREBOARD

A fund raiser has been launched for a new scoreboard at Post Falls in honor of coach Jeff Hinz, who passed away this summer.

Hinz was the Trojans’ head football coach the past 11 seasons. In his memory, the family has established a fund to buy a new scoreboard.

“We now have the opportunity to give back to our community, as a tribute to Coach Hinz, by raising money for a much needed multi-purpose scoreboard where all of Jeff’s past and present coaches, players, fans and community supporters will be able to pay their respects to the man who was such an inspiration in their lives,” a letter sent out to potential donors stated.

Donations can be made a couple of ways. Either in person to any US Bank branch in care of the Jeffrey Hinz Memorial Scoreboard Fund; they can be mailed to 1869 Teanaway Drive, Post Falls, 83854; or at www.gofundme.com/CoachHinzMemorial.

For information, call Michelle Pfennings at (208)-755-7681.

BENGALS SCORE BIG WIN

Lewiston sent a message across Idaho when it defeated traditional power Highland on Saturday, 45-38, at Pocatello.

Before the opener, senior quarterback Colt Richardson told a Lewiston television reporter that the Bengals planned to go undefeated.

“Anytime Highland gets beat it’s surprising,” Amos said. “Lewiston is a very good football team. The score didn’t shock us.”