Garfield-Palouse football drops to 8-man: Potlatch goes to Prairie, Colton plays in Kibbie Dome

Injury, illness and low numbers forced the Vikings to go from an 11-man team to an 8-man team, ending any hope Gar-Pal had of winning a district or state title. It does ensure that players will have the chance to play a full season.

On Tuesday, Garfield-Palouse parents were asked to come to a meeting to discuss the football season. Thompson said he and athletic director Tim Coles advised parents that after careful consideration, they were going to cancel the 11-man season and search out opponents that play 8-man football.

"We told parents we couldn't keep the 11-man schedule and expect to get through the year," Thompson said. "Where we were ... we'd have two subs on the sideline (and a large number of freshmen). It was for the safety of our kids and for our kids to ensure that they'd get to play some this season, not have a couple injuries (happen) and now we're done."

Thompson said the parents reacted to the news well.

"They were really positive and had a great response," he said. "It's a great community. Great parents. They are happy their kids get to play."

The tough part is, Gar-Pal can't contend for a district or state title. It can't even make the playoffs.

"That's a bit of a downer, but it's that versus not having a season, and they want to play. Bottom line, they want to play football," Thompson said. "It's a bit of a downer especially for the seniors. They can't play in the playoffs, but they understand and are moving on, and they have good attitudes."

Thompson and Coles have been scrambling to find 8-man teams that are willing to pick up a game. They don't have a full schedule yet, but he said they hope to have one early next week.

The Vikings did pick up a game for this Friday. Instead of facing Davenport, they will travel to St. John to take on the Eagles.

"We don't know anything (about the Eagles)," Thompson said. "We haven't scouted them, they haven't scouted us."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

AROUND THE PALOUSE -- There are a number of big games going on throughout the Palouse tonight.

Colfax will host DeSales, matching a pair of football powerhouses.

Last year Colfax defeated DeSales 14-6 in Kendrick in the Class 2B state quarterfinals, and Colfax coach Mike Morgan said he's sure DeSales players and coaches have had this game circled on their calendar for months.

"Down there, we had to get an interception last year to hang on to win in the quarterfinals," he said. "They are going to be unhappy with us. ... When the Irish and Bulldogs get together, it's a lot of fun."

Colton will have the chance to test out the Kibbie Dome's new look tonight when it hosts Joseph at 7 p.m.

Wildcat fans are getting into the spirit of the game, with ASB tailgating out in front of the Dome from 5-6:30 p.m.

The Idaho marching band also will be on hand as it joins the Colton Junior High pep band for the game.

There will be a pregame and halftime show and the UI band will be in the stands participating with the Colton band throughout the game.

Colton defeated Salmon River 24-16 last week in its season opener.

On the Idaho side, Potlatch has arguably the toughest game as it heads to Prairie to take on the defending football champion Pirates.

Prairie returned many players from its 2008 title team, and though Potlatch has had great success this year, tonight's game will say a lot about the upstart Loggers.

Kendrick and Troy will be locked in a battle tonight in Kendrick, while Genesee hosts Deary.

All games are set to kick off at 7 p.m.

Sandra Kelly can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 231, or by e-mail to skelly@dnews.com.

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