Bulldogs looking to top Lakeland, make playoffs

SANDPOINT - The task it simple tonight for the Sandpoint Bulldogs: Take care of business on the road against Lakeland and they'll secure the right to host a 4A first round playoff game next Friday night.

Sandpoint (4-4, 1-0 4A North) can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, while Lakeland (1-7, 0-1 4A North) would force a three-way playoff with the Bulldogs and Moscow with a win. Idaho is the No Team Left Behind state, so despite its record, Lakeland still has a shot at the state playoffs.

Sandpoint beat Moscow 22-21 at home last week, while Moscow beat Lakeland 41-21 at home the week before. Bulldogs head coach Mike Mitchell is preaching to his team not to look at records, calling Lakeland a dangerous one-win team.

"Our whole goal is take care of our business and not worry about who you're playing," he said, calling Lakeland a 4 yards and a cloud of dust team. "If you let them do that, they can beat you."

Sandpoint let a 22-7 lead evaporate quickly last week against Moscow, but held tough against a much improved Bears team.

"The final drive last week was a thing of beauty," said Mitchell after watching film of his team keeping the chains moving to secure the win.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Lakeland High School.