A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s kind of fun when the weather changes. It’s part of the joy of living in an area with four distinct seasons. But when the snow gods decide to visit with more than a half-foot of fun in late October, that seems a little over the top. Still, high school football went on in North Idaho, even as the white stuff obscured much of the fields.
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• If you enjoy high school football, you’ve been there. It happens most every season. In September, the first games are played with everyone in attendance wearing shorts. By the end of the season, the apparel ranges more toward Arctic wear. It’s the natural order of things.
Even in an unnatural year as 2020 has turned out to be.
It’s just Oct. 23 seems a bit early, even for an odd year.
But there it was last night, on the TV set from east of the border. Sandpoint and Lakeland playing a football game in a snowstorm. Heck, when the Bulldogs returned a punt for a score – the game’s only score – just before the half, it was impossible to discern just how far Gerrit Cox actually ran. At least on TV. The lines were that covered. (For the record, Cox’s return was officially 61 yards.)
Down SR 41 in Post Falls, our Dave Nichols covered Coeur d’Alene’s 30-14 win over the Trojans, clinching the 5A District 1-2 title and a bye in the playoffs. That’s where these wonderful photographs come from, courtesy of Cheryl Nichols.
There is something magical about high school football in the snow, despite the cold, the wet and, usually, the lack of precision. The rarity of the experience makes it memorable. And usually leads to stories that begin with “do you remember the snow game against …” at 20-year reunions.
• The Pac-12 doesn’t begin action for a couple weeks yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be more college football today. The Big Ten kicked off last night with the usual Wisconsin blowout of Illinois. And the Mountain West becomes the first conference on this side of the nation to take the field.
What does that mean to the average fan? More games to watch in the evening. It may not have the cachet of #Pac12AfterDark, but UNLV at San Diego State might just supply some excitement around 9:30 this evening.
And lend a sense of normalcy.
• Me? I’ll be watching the World Series. October baseball is the best baseball, coronavirus be darned.
And if the Dodgers happen to win again? That’s icing on the brownies. Which reminds me. Bake brownies tonight. Eat them during the game. Root for L.A.
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WSU: The Cougars had their first practice of the year in the snow, something that usually doesn’t occur until November. It’s always fun to see players from warm climes experience their first snowfall. Theo Lawson has more in this notebook. … Theo had a note about John Rushing’s death, which occurred Friday. Rushing, 48, played at Washington State from 1991-94 and was part of the famed Palouse Posse defense. He then went on to coach in the NFL and at the college level. … Around the Pac-12 and college sports, because of the college football playoffs selection schedule, we may not know who wins the conference until a few days after the games are over. … There is no timetable to pick a Washington starting quarterback. … Oregon will scrimmage once again today. Will there be a starting quarterback picked afterward? … There is also a scrimmage scheduled in Corvallis. Oregon State needs to make some decisions as well. … Utah is trying to win the South for the third consecutive season. The Utes have to rebuild their defensive line. … Colorado has built some depth at tight end and other positions. … Former Coeur d’Alene High start quarterback Colson Yankoff is playing a new position at UCLA. … There is a new attitude on the USC defense. … In basketball news, Arizona acknowledges it received the NCAA’s notice of allegations, but refuses to divulge what was contained within. … There may be some sort of bubble in Las Vegas this season. … Utah expects to have some success this year. … USC is finally being allowed to practice indoors. It’s been a while. … Is Arizona State the best team in the Pac-12? … Finally, there is a bit of a problem in Oregon among its college basketball programs. Unequal treatment under the law is never good for anyone.
Preps: As we said, Dave has a roundup of last night’s snowy football action in North Idaho.
Seahawks: Forget about all the Antonio Brown chatter. The receiver signed with Tampa Bay. Now about Josh Gordon. … We are about to discern just how good Seattle is. … The Hawks will play Arizona without Jamal Adams this weekend. … The Hawks’ injury list even includes their coach. … DK Metcalf has improved markedly this season. … Look, this virus isn’t a joke. The NFL, even with all its resources, hasn’t been able to keep it at bay. Though Seattle has been able to navigate the stormy seas.
Mariners: Between Walker Buehler’s pitching and Justin Turner’s hitting and fielding, the Rays didn’t have a chance last night. The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the World Series with a 6-2 victory.
Sounders: The people in charge changed their mind and there will be a Supporters’ Cup awarded this season. Even if the competition has been something less than equal.
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• Though the NBA just finished its season, it looks as if the league will begin again in late December. Good. By then, if Friday is any indication, we will have received a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s worth of snow. Until later …
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A Grip on Sports: There is something fun about football in the snow, but it is just as much fun if it holds off a few weeks - The Spokesman-Review
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