Trojans wrap up sweep of 5A teams

If Post Falls were in the classification it should be in based on enrollment (1,411), the Trojans football team would be bound for the playoffs.

The 4A Trojans completed a sweep of the Inland Empire League’s three 5A teams as Post Falls held off Coeur d’Alene 22-20 before a crowd estimated at 1,900 at Trojans Stadium.

“We’ve really got some momentum right now,” said Post Falls coach Jerry Lee, whose team raised its overall record to 5-0, 3-0 in league.

The Trojans secured the win with some of Lee’s old ball-control offense in the final 6 minutes, 40 seconds.

Facing fourth-and-6 from its 49-yard line, Coeur d’Alene (3-2, 0-2) elected to punt with just less than 7 minutes remaining, hoping its defense could stall Post Falls one more time.

But the Trojans proceeded to pick up four first downs, none bigger than the fourth-down conversion at CdA’s 25 with 2 minutes to go. PF needed a half yard and quarterback K.C. Billetz barely got it by the nose of the ball.

That wrapped it up, although CdA had one more timeout left.

After Dan Hamilton picked up 4 yards on third down, the referee signaled the ball ready for play as the clock ticked to less than 25 seconds. That meant the Trojans didn’t have to run another play and the game was over.

“That was a heckuva good high school football game,” CdA coach Shawn Amos said. “We knew it was going to be a good game. They’re a good football team and it was a good battle. In a game like that it only takes one big play.”

Actually, the game probably turned on two big plays – both in PF’s favor.

The first came in the second quarter when CdA was called for pass interference against Trojans tight end Adam Shamion. The penalty gave the Trojans a first down at CdA’s 21. Moments later, Cody Brubaker broke a 7-all tie when he kicked a 33-yard field goal with 5:17 left before halftime.

Both teams had scoring opportunities just before intermission but couldn’t convert. CdA watched the half expire when receiver Kyle Mills dropped a pass in the end zone.

The second big play for the Trojans came after CdA had cut its deficit to 16-14 late in the third quarter, when Vikings quarterback Max Lyons found backup quarterback/tight end Jake Hall on a 4-yard out for a touchdown.

On the Trojans’ first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Billetz hit wide receiver Nick Mehalechko in stride on a 60-yard deep post and the receiver raced untouched to the end zone.

A Trojans player was called for a post-possession personal foul and the 15-yard penalty made the point-after attempt go from a chip shot to a 35-yard try. The kick was wide, and CdA still had life trailing 22-14 with a quarter to play.

“We didn’t have Mehalechko at the beginning of the year because he had mono,” Lee said. “He’s finally gotten up to full speed and he’s making some big catches. And it was good to have Cody Brubaker to kick the field goal. We didn’t have the kicking game for a while either.”

CdA answered the big score by marching 57 yards on 10 plays. The drive was capped by a 2-yard plunge by Gabe Le, but the two-point conversion attempt failed and the Trojans led 22-20 with 9:54 remaining.

The Vikings got the ball back with 8:35 to go, but they had to punt. Their offense would stand on the sideline the remaining 6:40.

“It’s just great to come out with the win,” Lee said. “I thought our kids played with a lot of heart. That’s a great team we played. That’s the best team we’ve played this year.”

PF defeated Lake City 35-19 the second week of the season and handled Lewiston on the road last week, 45-27.

CdA continues IEL play on Friday when it hosts Lakeland.

The same night, PF entertains 3A Timberlake for homecoming before jumping into 4A conference play.