Council on the road back

Photo Courtesy: Michelle Slate

It's odd to be mid-September and see a team in the standings with just one game played when other teams are preparing for their third or fourth contest. But that's where we see Council (0-1) headed into Friday night's road game at Prairie (1-1).

The Lumberjacks canceled their first two games due to some academic ineligibilities, losing scheduled contests against Notus and Lapwai before opening their season on the road last Friday at Idaho City. Council came up short, 54-20, against the Wildcats.

Long-time head coach Dan Shumway observed, though disappointed that the team didn't get to play its first two games, that it could actually help in the long run. Both games canceled were non-conference games so, ultimately, they had no bearing in whether or not the Lumberjacks qualify for the 1A Division 2 state playoffs. Less mileage on the tires, Shumway pointed out, for a team that doesn't have tremendous depth. And senior Lance Nichols, pictured above, didn't play against Idaho City.

Council doesn't open Long Pin Conference play for two more weeks when they travel to Garden Valley. Ultimately, it is the team's record in Long Pin games that will determine if the team goes to the state playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.

The Long Pin is off to a great start overall. Defending state champion Salmon River (2-1), Garden Valley (2-0) and Tri-Valley (2-0) are averaging 50.5 points per game, collectively, and five of the seven combined victories have come over 1A Division 1 teams from the Western Idaho Conference. Council faces those three teams in consecutive weeks - September 29, October 6, and October 13 - but two of the three (Salmon River, Tri-Valley) come to Council.

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