Weekly Rankings & Games Of The Week (9/15))

 INWFB Top 12

1. Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (1-1)

2. Lewiston Bengals (2-1)

3. Central Valley Bears (2-0)

4. Coeur d’Alene Vikings (1-2)

5. Post Falls Trojans (2-1)

6. Sandpoint Bulldogs (0-2)

7. Lakeside Eagles (2-0)

8. Mead Panthers (2-0)

9. Mt Spokane Wildcats (2-0)

10. Lakeland Hawks (3-0)

11. Deer Park Stags (2-0)

12. Kellogg Wildcats (2-1)

INWFB GAMES OF THE WEEK

Thursday 9/15 •  #11 Deer Park @ #7 Lakeside - In what might be the most competitive league in the INW, the Northeast 1A is going to prepare whichever team comes out on top, for what looks like a deep run in the state playoffs. But being early in the season it’s hard to tell just yet who will be left standing at the top. Both Deer Park and Lakeside come into this game 2-0 with wins over 2A East Valley the past two weeks. Respectively, Deer Park is looking to ride their wave of momentum after a shutout win over Idaho 1A power, Kellogg and Lakeside opened the season with a huge 44-2 win over 2A Pullman and returns a roster full of standouts including senior QB Kole Hunsaker and junior athlete Calvin Mikkelsen. This should be a great game!

Friday 9/16 • #4 Coeur d’Alene @ #10 Lakeland - Lakeland is used to being the underdog when it comes to playing most of their schedule against 5A teams or larger schools. But this year has looked a bit different for a Lakeland squad that has a new mentality under 1st year head coach Mike Schroeder. Coming in with a 3-0 record (4-0 if you include the exhibition win over Preston HS at Montana Tech in mid-August) and impressive wins over 5A Lake City, Columbia and GSL 2A West Valley last Thursday. A strong offense led by senior QB Caysen Loutzenhiser and a run game featuring senior RB John Cornish, Thomas Calder and a defense that flys around. Junior K/LB Owen Forsman has been a huge part of Lakelands success so far this season, with huge plays on both defense and special teams. The Vikings, who started off the season with Rigby and Rocky Mt, bounced back with an impressive win over a very highly touted Sandpoint squad 2 weeks ago. After a week off, no doubt Coeur d’Alene will be rolling on all cylinders and with what might be the most complete defense in the area, this will be Lakelands toughest test so far this season.

INWFB GAMES TO WATCH

#9 Mt Spokane v. Lewis & Clark - 3A contender Mt Spokane takes on a 4A Lewis & Clark team that is looking to bounce back from last weeks 38-7 loss to CV. In what looks to be a very competitive game, how will LC use senior Gentz Hilburn and junior Sam BaFou Toure to create big plays and can the Wildcats can continue to build on their hot start to the year behind senior do-it-all standout Blake Speer (2-0 with a combined score of 76-14)?

#3 Central Valley v. Cheney - After a 15-0 win over Ferris last Friday night, Cheney will try to continue right where they left off and the offense is starting to click behind senior QB Jakeb Vallance (who received an offer from NAIA Mount Marty this week) and his wide receivers, senior Joshua Bingham, junior Kordell Laher and sophomore Camden Collins. On the other side, the Bears are looking to take over the 4A this year and show they are state playoff contenders. A strong start to the year, 2-0 and a combined margin of victory of 71-7, CV might be the real deal. Led on offense by seniors; dual-threat QB Dylan Gravelle, WR Hudson Dayton and RB Zac Abshire, CV looks impressive so far. Defensively, Central Valley is solid on defense and there might not be a more impressive position group than CVs linebacker core. The Bears 3 seniors Brandon Thomas, Zach McMurtrey and Sam Cann lead an impressive squad that has suffocated offenses so far this fall.