Six high school football teams across Kootenai County and North Idaho are launching their seasons tonight and this weekend in an unusually crowded opening slate. The Coeur d’Alene Vikings, defending state 6A contenders facing a disciplinary challenge, travel to Lakeland High School in Rathdrum for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Corbit Field — a matchup between rivals separated by less than 12 miles but rarely meeting in recent years.
Coeur d’Alene Faces Coaching Transition in Lakeland Opener
Head coach Shawn Amos, in his 30th year leading the Vikings, will serve a two-game suspension following an ineligibility violation last season. The Vikings fielded an ineligible JV player in two state playoff contests, triggering the penalty. Assistant Vinny Lupinacci will take the helm for tonight’s game and next Friday’s contest in Silverton, Oregon, before Amos returns for a Sept. 4 home matchup against Lewis and Clark of Spokane.
The Coeur d’Alene-Lakeland rivalry has been sporadic. The two schools have met only three times since 2009, despite their proximity. The Vikings won 14-13 at Rathdrum in 2022 and dominated 54-0 at home in their most recent meeting in 2023.
Lake City Opens in Boise Against Strong Opponent
Lake City High School travels to Boise for a 6 p.m. PDT kickoff against Boise High at Dona Larsen Park. The Timberwolves are chasing their first winning season since 2014 and their first playoff appearance since 2019, playing in their fourth year under head coach Byron Hout, a former Timberwolf. Boise High features quarterback Wayne Bower, who started as a freshman and posted a 3-3 record before the Broncos finished 4-6 and reached the state 6A playoffs, where they lost to Madison of Rexburg 17-14 in the first round.
Kellogg Begins New Era; Wallace Eyes 2A Strength
Kellogg High School opens at home tonight against Bonners Ferry at 7 p.m. at Teeters Field, marking the beginning of head coach Sam Mailou’s tenure. The Tigers finished 7-3 last season and made the state 4A playoffs but must replace two running backs who combined for over 2,200 rushing yards. Bonners Ferry limped through a 2-6 season in 2025.
Wallace High School, reclassified to 2A after finishing 1A state semifinals last year, opens at Potlatch at 7 p.m. The Panthers retain most of their offensive firepower from last season. Potlatch posted a 4-5 record and made the 2A playoffs last year.
Coeur du Christ Seeks Back-to-Back Success
Coeur du Christ High School hosts Lewis County at 2 p.m. Saturday at Marin Health Coeur Center in Worley. Head coach Grant Clemens’ squad returned all starting skill-position players after a strong finish last year that included facing eventual state 1A champion Carey in the first round of the state playoffs. The team dominated Lewis County 44-14 in last year’s opener.
Lewis County, a cooperative program combining Highland and Nezperce high schools, finished 3-5 last season and graduated only one player from their roster, suggesting most contributors return for another run.
Season-Long Competition Underway
Josh McDonald claimed the Gridiron Guesses championship last year with a 59-23 record in game predictions. This year’s field of predictors is now live as teams begin their journeys toward postseason contention across 1A, 2A, 4A, 5A, and 6A classifications in the Kootenai County and North Idaho region.
The early-season slate reflects a broader shift in high school football scheduling, with more contests launching in late August than in previous years. Fans throughout Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, and surrounding communities have multiple options to follow the action tonight and Saturday.