Cd'A, LC clinch if Viks win
Lewiston visits Viking Field tonight; Post Falls tries not to get 'trapped'
Tonight's football game between Lewiston and Coeur d'Alene might be higher scoring than when the two teams meet in boys basketball in a few months.
But not if Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos has any say in the matter — and he might.
"Our defense is playing real well right now," said Amos, whose second-ranked Vikings play host to Lewiston at 7 p.m. at Viking Stadium in a key — aren't they all? — 5A North game.
A Coeur d'Alene victory would eliminate Lewiston from playoff contention, and clinch playoff spots for the Vikings and fourth-ranked Lake City, which plays host to Hellgate of Missoula, Mont., tonight.
It would also mean next Thursday's regular season finale pitting Coeur d'Alene at Lake City would determine the home team when the two squads played again Nov. 4 in the first round of the playoffs.
Lake City outscored Lewiston 44-42 last week in Lewiston, the teams combining for more than 900 yards of offense.
After Borah hung 53 points on the Vikings a month ago, Coeur d'Alene has allowed 20 points (and scored 138) in its last three games.
The tough part about defending Lewiston, Amos said, is the Bengals "have two running threats … and six or seven receivers make it interesting, too.
"I thought they (the Bengals) were going to be much better this season, and they are," Amos added.
Post Falls is coming off an emotional overtime victory over prairie rival Lakeland last week in the 4A North opener. A win tonight would set up a key game vs. Sandpoint at home next Thursday, but Post Falls coach Jeff Hinz doesn't want his team to get caught looking ahead.
"I don't want to get trapped by this game," Hinz said. "Moscow couldn't stop Sandpoint's running game, so we'll have a little confidence that we'll be able to run the ball against them. But it (the battle for the North's lone berth to the state 4A playoffs) is wide-open still. We've still got to perform to get a shot at the playoffs."
Hinz said he had yet to decide who would start at quarterback tonight. Last week, senior Danny Mathewson and sophomore Casey Dragon alternated series in an overtime win over Lakeland.
The Hawks need to win tonight at Sandpoint to stay alive in the playoff hunt.
Hellgate is where Lake City coach Van Troxel coached for 13 seasons before starting the LC program in 1994. Last year, a 1-7 Hellgate team spanked Lake City 30-8, starting the Timberwolves on a three-game losing streak to end the season.
In Intermountain League play, Timberlake is home for the first time since Sept. 9, playing winless St. Maries. The key IML game tonight pits league-leading Bonners Ferry at home against second-place Kellogg. If Bonners wins, next Friday's Kellogg-at-Timberlake game could very well decide the IML's second berth to the state 3A playoffs.
In the North Star League, Post Falls Christian needs to win at Clark Fork tonight to keep its 1A Division 2 playoff hopes alive. Two NSL teams make the Division 2 playoffs.
Wallace has already secured the league's lone berth to the 1A Division 1 playoffs.
Prep football
Tonight's games
Lewiston (4-3) at Coeur d'Alene (6-1)
Hellgate (Mont.) (1-7) at Lake City (6-1)
Post Falls (3-4) at Moscow (5-2)
Lakeland (2-5) at Sandpoint (3-4)
St. Maries (0-7) at Timberlake (2-5)
Kootenai (1-6) at Mullan (5-2), 2:30 p.m.
Lakeside (1-6) at Wallace (5-2)
P.F. Christian (3-3) at Clark Fork (4-3)
? All games scheduled
for 7 p.m. unless noted
? Standings / A7Cd'A, LC clinch if Viks win