2014 High School Football Preview

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MOSCOW-PULLMAN DAILY NEWS

COLFAX BULLDOGS • COLTON WILDCATS • DEARY MUSTANGS GARFIELD-PALOUSE VIKINGS • GENESEE BULLDOGS • KENDRICK TIG GERS • MOSCOW BEARS POTLATCH LOGGERS • PULLMAN GREYHOUNDS • TROY TROJANS

Friday, August 29, 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Football 2014

Greyhounds hungry after disappointing finish Ben Moos leads the charge for Pullman offense

By Tom Hager Daily News staff writer

About the Greyhounds Coach: Dan Lucier (third year, 12-7 record at Pullman) Last season’s record: 6-3 (4-2 in Great Northern League) Points for-against last season: 330-313 Key returners: Mason Petrino (QB), Ben Moos (TE), Ryan Vannucci (WR/ CB), John Landers (OL/LB), Dante Ungerer (WR/CB) Big game: Freeman — “We’re really looking to play them close,” Lucier said.

“They pretty much manhandled us last year in Freeman.”

Team strength: Passing game

By many standards, last year’s Pullman football team had a good season.

The Greyhounds finished with twice as many wins as they had losses, both overall and in the Great Northern League. But Pullman’s season came to a sudden end with a tough 28-21 home loss to Colville, making the Hounds’ 6-3 overall record and 4-2 GNL mark meaningless. That loss gave CHS the tiebreaker to advance to the playoffs, setting the stage for a hungry Pullman team heading into this year.

“It’s awesome — it’s all about us having great enthusiasm and great effort,” Pullman coach Dan Lucier said. “We’re just about 80 strong, so we have a lot of kids. The kids are working hard.”

Tight end Ben Moos said the goal is to get to state, and make a run at the state championship. Moos is no stranger to lofty goals. The sophomore is coming of a season in which he was

Geoff Crimmins/Daily News

Pullman coach Dan Lucier talks to his team during an Aug. 21 practice in Pullman. named to MaxPreps.com’s Freshman All-American team. Now he’s trying to surpass that excellent campaign.

“It’s tough to match last season, but

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I have definitely been pushing myself all summer,” Moos said. “I just expect to contribute in the way that my team needs me to. Not necessarily all sorts of

Football 2014

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

big plays, but if it’s just a short yardage play, just continue the way that (quarterback) Mason (Petrino) and coach Lucier need me to contribute.”

Moos said the letters and phone calls from college recruiters came flooding into his home after being named to Max Preps’ list. Among the potential suitors were perennial contenders for the college football national championship.

“It definitely boosted my confidence a lot. I came into this season feeling a lot more confident, feeling like I could compete a lot more at this level,” Moos said.

“Coming out of middle school I was pretty confident but that kind of sealed it right there.”

Lucier said Moos’ work ethic is similar to that of Moos’ brother, Bo, who became an honorable mention all-Pac-12 defensive tackle at Arizona State. However, he is also blessed with the physical tools required to thrive in college — as well as push Pullman to the next level.

“He’s just a tremendous, big strong athlete,” Lucier said.

“Once he realizes his full potential, there’s no limits for Ben.” Moos, who is the son of

Washington State Athletic Director Bill Moos, will be getting help from another player with football in his genes.

Petrino, whose father is Idaho coach Paul Petrino, will be running the show as quarterback for the second consecutive year.

“He is 360 degrees better.

The place he and I are working on is that emotional intelligence,” Lucier said. “When he has fun and he develops himself and doesn’t worry about it he’s phenomenal. There’s no limits for him.”

Lucier said last year Petrino reminded him of Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel because of his ability to improvise and scramble. Now that Mason has another year of football under his belt, Lucier said those improvised plays will hopefully be substituted with crisp execution on planned routes.

With two formidable offensive threats, Pullman should be able to stay in any game. Whether that translates into Moos’ goal of a state title remains to be seen.

Tom Hager can be reached at (208) 8834633 or by email to thager@dnews.com.

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Pullman quarterback Mason Petrino runs during an Aug. 21 practice in Pullman.

Petrino will be one of the key returning players for the Greyhounds this season.

| Friday, August 29, 2014

Pullman 2014 schedule Sept. 5: at East Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: vs.

Freeman, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: vs.

Moscow, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: at Timberlake, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: vs.

West Valley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Clarkston, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17: at Lakeland, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24: vs. East Valley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31: at Cheney, 7 p.m.

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Football 2014

Bears have plenty of playmakers Tough defense to anchor Moscow during 2014 season

By Ben Handel Daily News staff writer

About the Bears Coach: Phil Helbling (third year, 5-12 career record) Last season’s record: 3-6 (0-2 in Inland Empire League) Points for-against last season: 191-204 Key returners: Collin Niehenke (WR/DB), Jake Clark (QB/DB), Eric Redinger (RB/LB), Nik Albrecht (OL/DL), Seth McNeel (RB/LB) Big games: Sandpoint and Lakeland — “We want to take the year one game at a time, but there’s no question that our guys know how important those league games are,’’ Helbling said.

Team strength: Defense Team question: Special teams

No Jack, no problem — that, at least, is the hope of Moscow football coach Phil Helbling.

The Bears will be without the services of one of their most dangerous athletes from last fall when they return to the gridiron this week. Jack Akey moved across the country with his family during the offseason when his father, former Idaho coach Robb Akey, accepted a job with the Minnesota Vikings. Akey was a dynamic receiver and defensive back who was an explosive kick returner as well, but Helbling is confident his team has guys ready to assume that role this season.

“Collin Niehenke is going to fill kind of the same role that Jack Akey had for us last year,” Helbling said. “He’s a junior now with a year of experience under his belt and he’s faster, stronger and smarter than last year. Chad Robertson is the same — he’s stepped up big on the edge as a deep

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Geoff Crimmins/Daily News

Moscow coach Phil Helbling talks to his players during an Aug. 12 practice at Bear Field in Moscow. This is the start of Helbling’s third year in charge of the program. threat. Alex Glinski and Bryson Bennett have also worked their tails off. I feel we have about six or seven guys who can be matchup nightmares.”

Making Moscow more of a threat is the return of senior quarterback Jake Clark, who proved himself to be a reliable, accurate option under center last fall.

“He’ll be that CEO, the commander-in-chief for us out there on the gridiron,” Helbling said.

“As far as understanding the game and what we’re asking him to do, he’s getting better and better. He throws a good ball and we worked him harder in the offseason as far as his throwing, making reads and getting the ball out of his hands quickly — and just being a leader on the field.”

To earn the top spot on the depth chart, however, Clark had to fend off

Geoff Crimmins/Daily News

Moscow backup quarterback Devin Carscallen catches a ball during an Aug. 12 practice. some stiff competition.

“Jake separated himself enough at the end that I’m confident he’ll be that strong, senior leader under center,” Helbling said. “I have all the confidence in the world, however, in Devin (Carscallen) as a backup should he be called upon this season, and as a receiver he’ll give us some great minutes.”

It will be the Bears’

defense, however, which will be the backbone of the team. Helbling said the defense is as good as it has ever been in his time at Moscow and has plenty of talent to go around.

“We have two good corners in Chad and Collin who can be lockdown corners, and we have some good safeties in Carscallen, Glinski and Clark who can cover up the backend,”

Football 2014 Helbling said. “At linebacker we have Jake Trujillo, Logan Vach, Eric Redinger, Seth McNeel, and Bryson Bennett — we have six guys we feel we can plug in anywhere in those positions and who can make hits for us.

“We have a few horses up front, too — we have a converted tackle in Nik Albrecht who will be a nice speed guy off the edge. On the other side of the defensive side of the line we have Cory Weller. In the middle we have Wyatt Youngblood who is a sophomore as well as Pat Coulter and those guys have worked their tails off.”

While the road to state ultimately will go through Sandpoint and Lakeland, Helbling knows that wins won’t be easy to come by at any point on this fall’s schedule. Even the first game of the season against 2A Grangeville will be a tough contest.

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

| Friday, August 29, 2014

Moscow 2014 schedule Aug. 29: at Grangeville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5: at Clarkston, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: vs.

North Central, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Pullman, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: vs. West Valley (homecoming), 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: vs.

Lewiston, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Cheney, 7 p.m.

Geoff Crimmins/Daily News

The Moscow football team runs through drills during an Aug. 12 practice in Moscow.

“Every game is going to be a dogfight,” Helbling said. “There isn’t really any one game on our schedule where

we can look at it and think that it will be an easy win. We open with Grangeville and that’s always tough — it’s a

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Oct. 17: at Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24: vs.

Lakeland, 7 p.m.

and kicked our butts.”

Oct. 31: Bye week

Ben Handel can be reached at (208) 883-4629, or by email to bhandel@dnews.com.

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Friday, August 29, 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Football 2014

Bulldog football: a pack mentality

Genesee 2014 schedule

the offense. In the backfield, the Bulldogs will have plenty of options.

“We have some younger kids who Reggie Tilleman was one of the we are hoping can be a flash in the Aug. 29: at most visible players in the Whitepine pan for us running the ball,” Hanson Kendrick, 7 p.m.

League last season. Listed at 6-foot- said. “Trent Sauders will see time at 6, the lofty tight end/defensive end running back, Austen Jones will probSept. 5: vs. towered over most of the opposition. ably run the ball a little bit and Rhett Prairie, 7 p.m.

Stout will run a This year, howevbit, too.” er, things will be Sept. 12: vs.

On the defena little different in Deary, 7 p.m. sive side on the Genesee. Without ball, Genesee the services of Sept. 19: at may not have one last fall’s star, the Potlatch, 7 p.m. dominant player Bulldogs will have like Troy’s Kellen to win by commitSept. 26: vs.

Hoskins, but tee.

Troy, 7 p.m.

Hanson was con“Reggie was fident there will definitely someone Oct. 3: vs. be plenty of playyou could throw Clearwater makers and big the ball up to and Valley, 7 p.m. hitters. he could go get it, “Defensively, but at the same Oct. 10: at we’ll have a corLapwai, 7 p.m. time the defense nucopia of kids knew that as well,” Oct. 17: at looking to step Genesee coach Kamiah, 7 p.m. up,” Hanson said.

Jason Hanson About the Bulldogs “I think some of said. “We’re hopDean Hare/Daily News ing to stay similar Oct. 24: Bye week the older guys like Coach: Jason Hanson Genesee quarterback Beau Tillman (2) rolls out on a bootleg to what we ran in Beau Tilleman route during the Bulldogs’ Aug. 14 practice in Genesee. and Austen Jones the past on offense, Last season’s record: 7-3 (4-3 in are embracing but we won’t have Whitepine; lost 48-20 vs. Troy in playoffs) the fact that they as much experican’t do it all on ence at some of Points for-against last season: their own — that those spots.”

407-228 they need these Even withyounger guys to out the services Key returners: help them out.” of Tilleman and Beau Tilleman (QB/LB), Austen Jones The younger other key graduat- (RB/LB, Trent Sauders (RB/DB), Rhett Stout players on the ed players like Ben (RB/DL), Sam Odenborg (TE/LB), Brent team will need Druffel and Reece Becker (TE/DB) to grow up fast, Wyat, the Bulldogs however, if the should be one of Big games: Prairie and Troy — “We the heavyweights have Prairie in week two, and that’s going to Bulldogs hope to in the Whitepine be a heckuva football game,’’ Hanson said. stay in contention this season — even “Hopefully the home fans turn out for us… for the Whitepine if they will have The Troy game will also be huge because of crown. But with the rivalry we’ve got with them.” the amount of some fresh faces playoff spots making headlines.

Team strengths: Depth at running back Whitepine teams “Edward Becker and an experienced quarterback can clinch this will be a young season expanding guy whose name Team question: Lots of young, untested from three to four, you’ll end up heartalent on the roster Hanson likes the ing quite a bit,” SERVING THE BEST PRIME RIB ON THE PALOUSE! odds of his squad Hanson said. “He making a deep plays a lot older than he actually is. Cole Allen as postseason run.

153 W. WALNUT ST., GENESEE, ID “It feels like we play in the SEC well. Those two guys are really stepping into some key roles. Sophomore — we can’t ever take a week off and Kyle Moser is a great player, too — he every game is important,” Hanson could easily play about six roles per said. “If we can just get into the playPlease Call Ahead to Make Reservations offs, I think that we could play for a night.”

The younger Tilleman brother, while.”

Beau, will return at quarterback. Now a senior, he has plenty of experience Ben Handel can be reached at (208) 883-4629, or under his belt and should help anchor by email to bhandel@dnews.com.

By Ben Handel

Daily News staff writer

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Football 2014

Amos leads battle-hardened squad Loggers return solid core of seniors for 2014 campaign

About the Loggers Coach: Pat Amos (eighth year, 32-34 career record) Last season’s record: 2-7 (0-6 in Whitepine)

| Friday, August 29, 2014

Projected 2014 Whitepine Standings Division I 1. Prairie

Points for-against last season: 138-334

By Ben Handel Daily News staff writer

Quality, not quantity, will be the name of the game for Pat Amos and the Potlatch Loggers.

Potlatch returns a solid core of last year’s starters, but behind its five seniors, the depth chart is a bit sparse.

“We have a good senior class coming in and we have potential to be a real good team, but our biggest concern is depth,” Amos said. “We didn’t have some kids show up that we were hoping to get, but the kids we have are a real solid group.

“My first eight or nine guys are pretty solid. Then I drop to a lot of young guys who will be good down the road, guys who will be good varsity guys in a couple years, but are more at the JV level now.

The problem is the season is long and guys get dinged up along the way. It would be nice to have some bodies to rotate in there.”

The player to watch this season just might be senior running back Triston Hites, who had one of the best offseasons of anyone on the team. In the Loggers’ traditional ground-and-pound offense, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to reel off big runs.

“He ran track and showed tremendous speed — he’s a burner and we certainly hope to take advantage of that,” Amos said. “He’s night and day compared to what he was last year.”

Under center will be senior David Amos, son of Potlatch’s coach. While he might not get as many chances to toss the pigskin as he’d like, Amos has quietly developed into a reliable quarterback.

“He went down to Nampa to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp and one of the coaches down there was a

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Last playoff berth: 2012: lost to Wallace in first round Key returners: David Amos (QB/LB), Triston Hites (RB/LB), Aarohn Beyer (OL/DL), Rowdy Paul (FB/LB), Kenny Sheffler (TE/DE) Big games: Deary and Troy — “I might be the only guy who calls our season-opener against Deary the ‘mill game’ because a lot of guys from both towns work at the lumber mill, but that’s always a fun rivalry game even though they aren’t in our division this year,” Amos said. “Then Troy comes to our house and that will be a very big game against a quality opponent.”

2. Troy

3. Genesee

4. Kamiah

5. Potlatch

Team strengths: Running backs and linebackers Team question: Lack of depth on both sides of the ball

6. Lapwai

Dean Hare/Daily News

The Potlatch Loggers loosen up at the start of their Aug. 13 practice in Potlatch. college coach who helped him with his footwork,” Amos said of his son. “His time there helped him in a lot of ways — he’s a lot faster this year and he’s spent some quality time in the weight room, too.”

Seniors Rowdy Paul (fullback/linebacker), Aarohn Beyer (guard/nose tackle) and Kenny Scheffler (tight end/defensive end) will also all have key roles to play in the 2014 campaign.

“Rowdy had a really good year last season and was voted all-league,” Amos said.

“Kenny’s a big, tall, good-looking receiver who can block and Aarohn is the only senior on our offensive line, so his leadership will be key for us in the trenches.”

Ben Handel can be reached at (208) 883-4629, or by email to bhandel@ dnews.com.

7. Clearwater Valley

Potlatch 2014 schedule Aug. 29: vs. Deary, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5: vs. Troy, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: vs. Wallace, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: vs. Genesee, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: at Kamiah, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: Bye week Oct. 10: at Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17: at Prairie, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24: at Lapwai, 7 p.m.

Friday, August 29, 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

About the Bulldogs Coach: Mike Morgan Last season’s record: 6-5 (4-2 in league) Playoff run: Defeated Tri-Cities Prep and White Swan in the 2013 postseason before falling to Lind-Ritzville/Sprague in the third round Points for-against last season: 268-301 Key returners: Mark Webber (QB), Josh Brown (OL/DL), Andrew Becker (OL/DL), Dylan Hall (RB), Keith Gfeller (WR) Big game: Lind-Ritzville/ Sprague — The defending state champion Broncos shut out Colfax in both meetings last season by a combined 82-0 margin Team strength: Depth Team question: Run defense

Football 2014

Colfax Bulldogs ready for football Experience and chemistry promise exciting season

By Christopher Keizur Daily News intern

Despite what a cursory glance at their record might indicate, the Colfax Bulldogs had a decent season last fall.

The team finished with a 6-5 record, eventually losing in the quarterfinals to Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, the two-time defending state champions. Colfax’s loses were all against the top teams of the conference, and only having four seniors on the roster hurt as well.

“My coaching staff and I felt it was a really successful season,” coach Mike Morgan said. “To get from where we started to the quarterfinals, that was a really big deal.”

This season things are much different as there is plenty of experience to go around. Colfax features a number of familiar faces on the field, returning 12 starters and 22 lettermen.

Depth and experience will both be important for a team that is only one year

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Colfax players run conditioning drills during the Bulldogs’ Aug. 20 practice in Colfax. removed from revamping its offensive scheme. Last season the Bulldogs installed a new pistol offense after being inspired by the trend occurring in the professional ranks.

“It is a fun and exciting offense, and we are just trying to get on board,” Morgan said.

Senior Mark Webber is set to once again be the starting quarterback.

“Mark has great vision for a quarterback and is very smart,” Morgan said. “Last year was his first as a starter, and he is going to keep getting better.”

Dylan Hall, Cody Fulfs and Cody Gronning will share the ball carrying duties, while on the outside, Webber will be able to look for junior all-league receiver Keith Gfeller, who will serve as the team’s wildcat quarterback. Many of the offensive starters will see time on defense as well.

Not to be outdone by the skill positions, the linemen for Colfax will be a nightmare to go against in the trenches as they feature speed, size and strength. Leading the group are a pair of seniors, Josh Brown and Andrew Becker, who both picked up all-league honors for their work last season.

“A lot of teams we see don’t push

each other, but Colfax football teaches you to be men,” Becker said. “We are a close-knit family.”

That team chemistry shines through when the seniors talk about the underclassmen.

“We always say our scout team is the most important because they are the ones pushing us to get better,” Webber said. “We try to give them a role and make them feel loved.”

Colfax will be presented with a tough schedule that features plenty of stout opponents, including league favorites Reardan and Lind-Ritzville/ Sprague. Despite its difficult schedule, the mission remains unchanged.

“For the 17 years I have been head coach, there have always been four goals,” Morgan said. “No. 1 league champs. No. 2 make the playoffs. No. 3 play after Thanksgiving, and No. 4 win a state championship.”

Colfax’s plan is to focus on one opponent at a time. As the Bulldogs get through two-a-days and their exhibition games, the first step will be a conference opener against Liberty. If everything goes as planned that step will simply be the first of many.

Christopher Keizur can be reached at (208) 883-4629, or by email to sports@dnews.com.

Football 2014

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Pushing through it

| Friday, August 29, 2014

Colfax 2014 schedule Sept. 5: vs.

Liberty, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: at Tekoa-Oakesdale/ Rosalia, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: at WilburCreston, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: vs. Northwest Christian, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: vs. Mary Walker, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17: vs.

Davenport, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24: at Reardan, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31: vs. LindRitzville/Sprague, 7 p.m.

Colfax players run conditioning drills during the Bulldogs’ Aug. 20 practice in Colfax.

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Football 2014

Running toward daylight

Troy reloads for another run at state championship Blazzard takes over at QB for heavyweight Trojans

By Ben Handel Daily News staff writer

Dean Hare/Daily News

Troy’s Kellen Haskins, left, attempts to tackle Cameron Barnes, right, during an Aug. 13 practice in Troy.

Chase Blazzard has some big shoes to fill.

The sophomore quarterback from Troy will be faced with the herculean task of replacing Cody Self — one of the winningest quarterbacks in school history. In nearly three years as the Trojans’ starting quarterback, Self lost a mere four games total and only once tasted defeat in the regular season.

Still, Troy coach Rob Bafus is confident Blazzard is up to the challenge.

“He’s very cerebral — he understand the game, understands what we’re doing and why we’re attacking certain places,” Bafus said. “He already knows how to check us out of bad calls that come from me and get us into better looks.”

When Self was dealing with a shoul-

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der injury last season, About the Blazzard was able to fill Trojans in and keep Coach: Rob Bafus Troy’s then(sixth year, 44-9 undefeated career record) season going.

Since then, Last season’s he has only record: 11-1 (6-0 in improved.

Whitepine) “He’s very similar to Points for-against last Cody in his season: 619-168 playing style.

He has the Playoff run: Knocked ability to use off Genesee and his feet and Prairie before losing escape if a to Hagerman in play breaks the 2013 state d o w n , ” championship Bafus said.

“Athletically, Key returners: Kellen he’s a very Hoskins (RB/LB), Tell strong, fast Hites (C/DL), Zach kid for a sophBlum (LG/DL), Will omore.

He Gram (RG/DL), Elihas a strong Dahl-Imel (TE) arm and I’m Big game: Prairie — excited for his “They have a quality future.” team and return T r o y ’ s almost all of their experienced players from last year,” offensive line Bafus said. “That will make game will be huge.”

Blazzard’s job a lot easier.

Team strengths: With center Offensive/defensive Tell Hites, linemen, linebackers left guard Zach Blum, Team question: right guard Inexperienced QB Will Gram and tight end Eli Dahl-Imel all returning to the program after comprising arguably the best offensive line in the Whitepine League last fall, it’s a safe bet Blazzard will have more protection than most other quarterbacks.

“He’s green but I can’t think of a better way to break him in than putting him behind that line,” Bafus said.

Coaches around the league have a healthy respect for Troy’s line as well, especially Gram who garnered all-state honors on both sides of the ball last fall.

“Those big boys up front for Troy, they’re monsters,” Potlatch coach Pat See Troy, Page 13

Football 2014

Mustangs seeking third straight Whitepine crown

By Ben Handel Daily News staff writer

Stay healthy and survive the first week — that’s the gameplan for coach Doug Henderson and the Deary Mustangs.

Deary has been undefeated in league contests the past two seasons, but when the Mustangs travels to Potlatch for Friday’s nonleague season opener, they will be without five key players, meaning the underclassmen will have to step up to the plate.

“That first game might be kind of scary,” Henderson said. “We have five guys who would normally start or play a lot who are going to miss the first game. There were some issues with their grades last year.”

As soon as those players get their grades straightened out, however, Deary should be one of the top contenders in the newly expanded 1A Division II half of the Whitepine, which recently merged with the North Star League to provide more competition.

Along with the traditional four schools of Deary, Kendrick, Timberline and Lewis County, newcomers Mullan, Kootenai, Clark Fork and Lakeside will vie for the league title this fall.

“It will be nice because the two best teams from the northern half of the state will make the playoffs now, regardless of which league they were in,” Henderson said. “It will be nice having that extra competition.”

Deary has plenty of depth but not a lot of experience, listing 23 players on its roster this season, but only two of those — wide receiver/linebacker Wyatt Younger and wide receiver/ defensive back Colton Stanton — are seniors. The Mustangs have a large junior class, four sophomores and 10 freshmen.

Junior Morgan Beyer will replace Cody Brown at quarterback, and while he has a different skill set, Henderson likes what he has seen from his field general so far.

“I think he’s going to be more of a pocket passer than Cody was — not quite as fast as Cody — but he’s a smart kid and we’ve been grooming for the last two years for this spot,” Henderson said.

Kael Stelck (FB/MLB), Tyler Anderson (WR/DE), Hunter Vallum (OL/DL) and Kaden Jones (RR/DB) are other key players Deary will rely on as it tries to make its

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

| Friday, August 29, 2014

Power running game

third consecutive postseason appearance.

“We’ll likely be a run-first team,” Henderson said. “We’ve got some pretty good linemen and some solid backs behind them.”

After taking on Potlatch in the season opener Friday, the Mustangs will host Mullan on Sept. 5.

Ben Handel can be reached at (208) 883-4629, or by email to bhandel@dnews.com.

Projected 2014 Whitepine Standings Division II 1. Deary Dean Hare/Daily News

2. Kootenai

Deary running back Kael Stelck carries the ball after taking the handoff from quarterback Morgan Beyer during practice an Aug. 13 in Deary.

3. Kendrick

Have a Great 2014 Season

Go Mustangs!

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5. Lewis County

6. Clark Fork

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Friday, August 29, 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Football 2014

Shedding blocks Kendrick’s Layton Lunceford, right, and Hayden Deeds practice their technique for getting around a blocker during the Tigers’ Aug. 14 practice in Kendrick.

About the Tigers Coach: Zane Hobart (second year, 3-6 career record) Last season’s record: 3-6 (3-3 in Whitepine) Points for-against last season: 234-358 Last winning season: Kendrick strung together a 10-2 record in the 2011 season, defeating Troy and Wallace in the playoffs before falling in the title game vs. Hagerman Key returners: Caleb Olson (QB/DB), Jake Lustig (RB/LB), Brandon Carter (OL/DL), Blake Marker (RB/LB)

Dean Hare Daily News

Olson, Tigers hope to Good Luck overthrow Mustangs Kendrick Tigers!

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By Ben Handel

Daily News staff writer

The Deary Mustangs have had Kendrick’s number for the past two seasons.

The Tigers came out on top of a 40-18 contest against their rivals in the 2011 season — the year Kendrick made a run at the state title — but since then the rivalry has been a bit one-sided in the 1A Division II of section of the Whitepine.

Deary has won its last four games against the Tigers by a combined 264-84 margin and earned two consecutive trips to the playoffs. Second-year Kendrick coach Zane Hobart aims to fix that.

“The last game of the year up at Deary is going to be huge,” Hobart said. “I think there’s no doubt that they’re going to be good again and it could have title implications. They’ve lost a lot of seniors, but they’ll be tough. The boys and I are looking forward to that one.”

As with any local rivalry, sometimes tempers flare. Yet Hobart insists there’s no bad blood between the two programs.

“The two schools are really close to each other and we combine with them to play baseball, so a lot of the kids know each other,” Hobart said. “And they’re in our league — it’s not like playing Genesee or somebody else — the game is going to be huge.”

The Tigers have a comparatively small and inexperienced team, but they have been battle-tested where it matters most. Quarterback Caleb Olson returns for his senior campaign better than ever and anxious to get Kendrick into the postseason.

“Him knowing the offense, knowing how to teach kids, it’s going to be huge,” Hobart said. “Not having to spend that time in training camp learning the offense, it was a huge jumpstart compared to last year and got us going very quick.”

Football 2014

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

| Friday, August 29, 2014

Kendrick 2014 schedule Aug. 29: vs. Genesee, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5: vs. Lakeside, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: at Lewis County, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: vs. Mullan, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: vs. Lapwai, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: Bye week Oct. 10: at Kootenai, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17: vs. Davenport, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24: at Timberline, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31: at Deary, 7 p.m.

Troy 2014 schedule Aug. 29: at Salmon River, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5: at Potlatch, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: vs. St. JohnEndicott, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: vs. Lapwai, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: at Genesee, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: vs. Kamiah (homecoming), 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Prairie, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17: Bye week Oct. 24: vs. Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

Jake Lustig (RB/LB), Brandon Carter (OL/DL) and Blake Marker (RB/LB) are expected to be key contributors as well, and the 6-foot-5 Wyatt Hardin will be a matchup nightmare no matter where

he lines up.

One of the challenges facing Kendrick this season is preparing for the unknown. With the addition of four new teams — Mullan, Clark Fork, Kootenai and Lakeside

Troy quarterback Josh Lay passes to a receiver during an Aug. 14 practice.

Troy

from Page 10 Amos noted.

Perhaps the most important player for the Trojans, however, will be senior Kellen Hoskins.

Much like his older brother Kaiden, whom Bafus once described as “the heart and soul of our team,” the younger brother is the key cog which the rest of the team revolves around.

During his junior campaign in 2013, Hoskins led the state in tackles and earned firstteam all-state honors on offense and on defense.

This season, he’ll assume the role of starting tailback on offense while anchoring the defense at linebacker.

“He’s an extremely dynamic player,” Bafus said. “He’ll be exciting to watch.”

Dean Hare/Daily News

Kendrick coach Zane Hobart talks to his players during an Aug. 14 practice in Kendrick.

— into the Whitepine, different tactics will be employed by all parties.

“Not knowing what to expect from those teams is the biggest challenge for me,” Hobart

said. “Playing the other schools twice per year, you kind of know what to expect and get to know them pretty well.”

Ben Handel can be reached at (208) 8834629, or by email to bhandel@dnews.com.

Have a Great 2014 Season

Go Tigers!

Dean Hare Daily News

With a plethora of returning talent, Troy’s perennial goal of playing 12 games and winning the last one certainly appears to be within reach. But as the Trojans experienced firsthand during last season’s champi-

onship loss to Hagerman, it’s easier said than done.

“We don’t want to sound cocky because there is so much talent in our league alone that simply winning the Whitepine will be a challenge,” Bafus said. “But it’s no secret that our goal is to get our hands on that state trophy.”

Ben Handel can be reached at (208) 883-4629, or by email to bhandel@dnews.com.

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Friday, August 29, 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Football 2014

Practice makes perfect

Colton 2014 schedule

Colton receiver Tristan Blewett turns upfield after catching a pass during the Wildcats’ Aug. 21 practice in Colton.

Sept. 12: vs.

Dayton, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: vs.

Lacrosse/Washtucna/ Kahlotus, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: at Sunnyside Christian, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: at St. JohnEndicott, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: Bye week Oct. 17: at Touchet, 7 p.m.

Dean Hare Daily News

Oct. 24: vs. Liberty Christian, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31: at Pomeroy, 7 p.m.

Nov. 6: at GarfieldPalouse, 7 p.m.

Dean Hare/Daily News

Colton quarterback Carter Dahmen (3) throws to a receiver during the Wildcats’ Aug. 21 practice in Colton.

Colton beginning new era under Dahmen

By Tom Hager

Daily News staff writer

Go Greyhounds!

Have a great season!

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For the first time in seven years, the Colton football team will not have a player named Straughan under center. Josh and Jake Straughan led the Wildcats for more than half a decade, but now it is Carter Dahmen who will lead the team. Following up two prolific quarterbacks is not the easiest thing to do, but Dahmen is ready for the challenge.

“It’s tough but I learned a lot from them,” Dahmen said. “They’re really good leaders and hopefully I can just build from that and build from what they taught me.”

UnderJakeStraughan’s leadership last season, the Wildcats put up video-game numbers and advanced to the state playoffs against Rosalia. Straughan broke his fibula early in the game, and Dahmen bravely attempted to fill in his place for the last three quarters, but the Wildcats ultimately lost 76-32.

“It was tough kind of being thrown in the wolves in a playoff game but it was really good for me facing adversity,” Dahmen said. “I felt like we should have won that game easily, but stuff happens and we carry that over to all sports and we’re not going to let that happen.”

Colton coach Clark Vining said he believes there is no reason the team can’t just pick up where it left off last year, even with a new quarterback. The team put up big numbers under Vining before the Straughans, and Vining still has high expectations for this season.

“For six years we’ve had Jake and Josh. Obviously they’re big losses, and as a team we can do things a little bit different and hopefully compensate for that,” Vining said. “Going into every season you’re hoping to make the playoffs. That’s probably the No. 1 thing. We’ve done fairly well over the last seven or last eight years attaining that goal.”

Dahmen played receiver last year, something he hopes can help in his development as a quarterback. People outside the program might not look at the Wildcats as underdogs this season, but Dahmen wants to surprise any doubters.

“Everyone is looking at who we lost, obviously six seniors — six starters, too. We’re going to be overlooked, but it’s always fun to be an underdog,” Dahmen said. “I think if we keep getting better every day we can surprise people.”

Vining agrees and is embracing the challenge of trying to mold his young team into a championship caliber squad.

“That’s the reason you coach, it’s fun to see kids progress and get better,” Vining said. “I think that could be one of these years where as the season goes we get better and better.”

Tom Hager can be reached at (208) 883-4633 or by email to thager@dnews.com.

Football 2014

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

| Friday, August 29, 2014

Woltering, Vikings optimistic after late turnaround GarfieldPalouse quarterback Hunter Woltering throws to a receiver before the start of the Vikings’ Aug. 20 practice in Palouse.

By Tom Hager Daily News staff writer

For a squad that lost its first four games of last season, the Garfield-Palouse football team is feeling pretty confident heading into the 2014 season.

Despite the rough start last fall, the Vikings rebounded with a pair of wins and eventually played their way into a playoff play-in game against Rosalia. That turnaround has quarterback Hunter Woltering feeling good about his team’s chances this year.

“We used to be a major running offense and then last year our personnel didn’t really support that type of offense, so we were slowly switching into a passing team,” Woltering said.

“We got the kinks out by the end of the season, but it was already the end of the season, so I think this year is really exciting. We already know how to do it and everybody is going to be really improved.”

GarfieldPalouse receiver Cole Sanderson (34) catches a Hunter Woltering pass before the start of the Vikings’ Aug. 20 practice in Palouse.

Dean Hare Daily News

Dean Hare Daily News

The Vikings are getting a new coach, but the offensive scheme is going to stay the same. Willy Woltering, Hunter’s dad, will take over for Scott Thompson. Willy Woltering served as an offensive coach for three years before

becoming Gar-Pal’s defensive coach the last five years.

“It was after that fourth loss we had a pretty good sit down with them all and we decided to we need to start having some fun and they responded and started playing better,” Willy

Woltering said. “It turned the whole year around. Winning is a lot more fun than losing. We were just not having fun and you could see it in their eyes as soon as we started having more fun. We still lost a couple of more games but we had a lot

more fun.”

Willy Woltering said the transition from dad to head coach won’t be an issue, as he has served as Hunter’s coach for basketball, baseball and youth football. He has set a goal for his team to make the playoffs and put up more numbers offensively than the Vikings did last season.

That shouldn’t be a huge issue, as Hunter said the team is more comfortable in the new offense.

“I think this year everybody is coming in one step ahead,” Hunter Woltering said. “That’s how it seems so far in practice and I think the practices are going much better.”

Hunter Woltering said the team is going to spread the ball out this year, but Cole Sanderson and Tyler Thurman will likely be some of the main offensive threats for Gar-Pal this year.

Tom Hager can be reached at (208) 8834633 or by email to thager@dnews.com.

Friday, August 29, 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Football 2014

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