Sandpoint faces off against Moscow

SANDPOINT — Let the games that really count begin.

Sandpoint has built a 4-3 record to this point in the season, including a rare win on the road last week in Lewiston, but for all intents and purposes, the season starts tonight in Moscow when 4A North league play begins.

How Sandpoint fares tonight in Moscow, and next week when they host Lakeland, will determine whether they host a state playoff game this season. The team is healthy, burgeoning with confidence and looking to extend a modest three game winning streak.

"It's important for us not to let Moscow hang with us," said Sandpoint coach Mike Mitchell. "It's a game where I want our guys to hit on all cylinders."

Moscow (1-4) has talent at the skill positions and played both Post Falls and Lewiston tough, which grabbed Mitchell's attention on film.

"They kind of scare me because they haven't really got it all together yet," he said. "But they can be an explosive team on occasion."

The Bulldogs will need a big game from defensive backs Kyle Gibson and Jake Semones to stop a pair of talented Bear receivers.

The offensive line continues to be the strength of the Bulldogs' offense, and Mitchell is hoping to see Mat Lawrence excel in the gun package when he spells Ryan Armbruster at quarterback. The two will continue to share repetitions under center, giving opposing defenses two divergent looks to gameplan against.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m., and Chris Chatburn and Jay Vandenberg will have the call live on AM 1400.