Two-time state champ Nieman joins the Pick Six fun
SANDPOINT — Next up for the guest pickers in the Bee’s Pick Six football contest is Paul Nieman, who quarterbacked Sandpoint to its only state football championship in 1997 and is a member of the school’s athletic hall of fame.
Nieman grew up in Sandpoint and excelled at football, basketball and track, ultimately earning a full ride scholarship to play football for the University of Idaho. While at Sandpoint, he set a handful of passing records, and his 2,112 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1997 stood as school records until current Bulldog quarterback Davan Norris broke them this season.
“Records are meant to be broken, it’s great they were able to break two. They stood for a long time,” said Nieman, who played one season as a free safety for the Vandals after high school. “He’s got great receivers and offensive line, it’s really a team.”
Nieman also won a state track title in the 4X100 relay, and was a four year letterman in basketball, including earning Inland Empire League Most Valuable Player honors as a senior.
He worked at Coldwater Creek for more than 10 years, and is currently the Director of Data Science for Kochava.
Last week was a killer for all six prognosticators, with a paltry 2-4 mark winning the week. Current standings are Eric Plummer at 31-23, guests (Jay VanDenBerg, Kim Woodruff, Bob Witte, Dyno Wahl, Tom Albertson, Tye Barlow, Don Helander, Will Love, Caleb Bowman) at 28-26, Marc Young at 25-29, Satini Puailoa at 24-30, Dave DeMers at 22-32 and Kris Knowles at 20-34.
Dave DeMers failed to get his picks in on time this week, but being fair competitors, we’re going to double up on his six picks next week, which will mark the final week of the contest. The winner will receive $500 worth of free advertising to the charity of their choice.
Here are this week’s games, all picked against the spread.
• Steelers (+4.5) at Seahawks.
• Bucs (+3.5) at Colts.
• Patriots (-5.5) at broncos.
• WSU (+3) at Washington.
• Boise State (-7.5) at San Jose State University.
• Texas State (+2.5) at Idaho.
• PAUL NIEMAN
Seahawks 17, Steelers 14.
Colts 27, Bucs 23.
Patriots 24, Broncos 17.
UW 31, WSU 24 — This game hinges on the ability of WSU’s starting QB to play. Assuming Luke Falk is out, the Cougars will struggle at Washington.
BSU 28, San Jose State 14.
Idaho 42, Texas State 35 — With two struggling defenses, this game will be a shoot-out with Idaho coming out on top.
• SATINI PUAILOA
Seahawks.
Colts — I believe in 40 year-olds getting it done.
Patriots and the points, that does not happen often.
Washington, it’s the Apple Cup anything can happen, and the WSU QB is out.
Boise State to turn it around.
Go Vandals.
“P.S. — Thanks to the community of Sandpoint. What a ride, you were awesome. Your team noticed, and loved your support.”
• KRIS KNOWLES
Steelers 28, Seahawks 24 — Can the atmosphere in CenturyLink Field carry the Hawks to a victory?
Colts 21, Bucs 20.
Broncos 28, Patriots 24 — I love Peyton Manning, but it’s cool to watch Brock Osweiler get some time. He’s a Kalispell, Montana product and I was able to see him play football and basketball in high school. He actually committed to play hoops at Gonzaga before ultimately deciding to play QB at Arizona State.
WSU 46, UW 42.
San Jose 32, BSU 28.
Texas State 42, Idaho 30 — Who the heck is Texas State?
• MARC YOUNG
Seahawks 27, Steelers 19 — Without Big Ben the Steelers are nothing more then a commodity.
Colts 34, Bucs 29 — Andrew Luck finds his rabbit’s foot and wins a shootout against Winston.
Patriots 23, Broncos 17 — The Pats’ stingy defense frustrates a relatively fresh Brock Osweiller and Brady well, is Brady.
WSU 27, UW 23 — This game does not have the marquee of the ‘91 Apple Cup I got to attend but still a good game. I like the Palouse Boyz in a close one.
BSU 29, SJSU 19
Idaho 30, Texas St. 27.
• ERIC PLUMMER
Seahawks 30, Steelers 20 — Marshawn Who? I kid, of course, but the new dude looked awfully good last week.
Colts 31, Bucs 17 — Thanks to playing in a crappy division, the Colts are in the thick of the playoff chase, and a dangerous team at that.
Broncos 28, Patriots 24 — We may have seen the last of Payton. Father time catches up with everybody. Kubiak loves the zone stretch runs and deep bootleg passing game, and now he can call some of those plays again.
UW 52, WSU 28 — Huskies stocked with young weapons, and beginning to look like the old BSU Chris Peterson juggernauts. Still a couple years away, but they’ll contend for a national title soon.
BSU 44, SJSU 28 — Harsin turns the sinking ship around just in time to get the choice bowl committees’ attention.
Texas St. 44, Idaho 28 — Remember Vandal quarterback greats Ken Hobart and John Friesz, and all the yards and wins they piled up? Idaho kids, if I’m not mistaken.