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2 | Friday, August 28, 2015 |
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Pullman headed for big turnaround
Players hungrier, more unified than ever before By Tom Hager Daily News staff writer
The Pullman football team enters this season hungry, and eager to rid the very familiar taste of defeat from its mouth. After going just 3-6 last year, the Greyhounds are back with more determination than
ever before, and it starts with one of the simplest concepts in the game: unity. “Last year everything was individual-wise — we’d have really good guys here and there that were just playing for themselves, but this year we’re playing as a unit,” linebacker Sovann Robinson said. “This year especially is the best defense I’ve ever been a part of.” Pullman’s newfound cohesion will be put to the test when the Greyhounds are faced with adversity, which they certainly experienced last season. Pullman ended its 2014 campaign on a four-game losing streak, but this year the Greyhounds have the attitude to overcome any hurdles. “The thing that I notice is different is we’re together as a team. These guys genuinely Nathan Howard/Daily News
See Pullman, Page 3
The Pullman football team gathers after completing a climb during a practice Aug. 21 in Pullman.
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Football 2015
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love each other and that makes all the difference in the world,” coach Dan Lucier said. “So the biggest area that we’re working on and trying to improve is playing hard and being aggressive and playing with that tenacious attitude that you need to be a great football team.” It should help the team unity that many of its key offensive weapons are returning this year. Tight end Ben Moos will be a huge asset for quarterback Mason Petrino, but even beyond Moos the team is loaded with experienced players. “There’s something to say about nine seniors starting for three years,” Petrino said. “Our senior class is really strong and I think we got a bunch of young attitude-passionate linemen coming up so I think that’s really exciting.” Helping with the running game will be Sam Druffel, one of the speediest players on the team. He’s got a solid offensive line back this season, one that
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
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| Friday, August 28, 2015 | 3
Pullman 2015 schedule
“Our senior class is really strong and I think we got a bunch of young attitude-passionate linemen coming up so I think that’s really exciting.” Mason Petrino Pullman quarterback should help improve upon last year’s average of 19.6 points per game. “We’re learning how to finish better this year. We’re just a lot more explosive,” Druffel said. “Last year we really struggled in the red zone and I think with the offense we’re putting in, it’s going to help us this year to convert in the red zone.” The players weren’t able to work out in their gym this offseason as it was being renovated, but Daunte Ungerer said
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Pullman players Will Pitzer, left, and Trey Lopes (9) run sprints during a practice Aug. 21 in Pullman. the Greyhounds were able to utilize the facilities at Lincoln Middle School to continue to work and improve their skills. Now it comes down to applying the work they put in when no one was looking on full display when the bright lights shine on opening night. And based on what they’ve done over the last few months, the Greyhounds should be headed for success. “We kind of switched things
up this year and we’re feeling really confident,” senior Will Pitzer said. “Were getting in good shape and we’re just ready to get on the gridiron and actually play.” The Greyhounds open the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at home against East Valley of Yakima. Tom Hager can be reached at (208) 883-4633 or by email to thager@dnews. com.
Sept. 4: vs. East Valley (Yakima), 7 p.m. Sept. 11: at Freeman, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: at Moscow, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: vs. Timberlake, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: at West Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: vs. Clarkston, 7 p.m. Oct. 16: vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: at East Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 30: vs. Cheney, 7 p.m.
About the Greyhounds Coach: Dan Lucier (fourth season) 2014 record: 3-6 Key returners: Mason Petrino (QB), Ben Moos (TE) and Sovann Robinson (LB)
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Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
‘Tough to beat’ About the Bears Coach: Phil Helbling (fourth season) 2014 record: 2-7 (0-2 Inland Empire League) Key players: Devin Carscallen (QB), Noah Klocke, Collin Niehenke (WR), Bryson Bennett, Wyatt Youngblood, Pat Coulter, Austin Durham and Adam Wallace. New additions: assistant coaches Tre’Shawn Robinson (LB), Darryl Murphy (DB/WR) and Marcis Fennell (OL/DL/ Defensive coordinator)
Moscow 2015 schedule Aug. 29: vs. Grangeville, 8 p.m. (Kibbie Dome) Sept. 4: vs. Clarkston, 7 p.m. (Military Appreciation Night) Sept. 11: at North Central, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: vs. Pullman, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: at West Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: at Lewiston, 7 p.m. (Kibbie Dome) Oct. 9: vs. Cheney, 7 p.m. (Homecoming) Oct. 16: vs. Sandpoint, 7 p.m. (Senior Parents Night) Oct. 23: at Lakeland, 7 p.m.
Geoff Crimmins/Daily News
Moscow sophomore Grant Clary (black jersey) and other football players run a drill during a practice on Aug. 17 at Bear Field.
Same faces, new mindset for veteran Bears Helbling installing ‘different brand’ of Moscow football By Michael-Shawn Dugar Daily News staff writer
Although many of the players, and even some of the coaches may be same, the Moscow football will look different this season. Coach Phil Helbling will still man the sidelines, but alongside him will be a host of new assistants tasked with both improving the on-the-field product and instilling a new mentality in the players. The Bears have three former Idaho Vandals on the staff. Former center Marcis Fennell (2004-07) will take over the Moscow offensive and defensive lines
while also serving as the defensive coordinator. Tre’Shawn Robinson (2008-11) brings his linebacker experience to the Moscow backers and Darryl Murphy will use his former defensive back skills to enhance the secondary and the receiving corps. “All across the board I got guys that know football and the biggest thing is we’re all on the same page and we’re sharing one common goal, adopting my philosophy and what I want to build here,” Helbling said. Said senior quarterback Devin Carscallen, “The new coaching staff brought that mentality to us and we’ve really bought in to that. I can see that for sure.” That mentality, Helbling said, starts with passion, a word he used to describe
all three of his assistants and something he feels was missing from his team last season. Then it comes down to playing with more excitement, physicality and, most importantly, discipline. “We’re talking about discipline in everything we do — discipline and accountability,” Helbling said. “Take care of your actions when we’re on the field. Let’s be focused, let’s be locked in, let’s be focused on football, not all the other stuff. Put the other stuff away when we’re out here for two hours, we’re all about football, let’s fly around, let’s make plays, let’s learn all of our stuff so that when we’re on the field we just play 100 percent.” Fans will recognize the players on See Moscow, Page 5
Football 2015
Moscow from Page 4
the field — Carscallen will remain the QB and familiar faces such as running back Chad Robertson and receivers Noah Klocke and Collin Niehenke will provide their contributions. The product will just look different. Helbling wants his team to play faster and more physical than they have in recent years, which he believes his Bears will be able to do once they become more focused and accountable. “Defensively, we’re going to show different looks than we have previously. Offensively we have a good coach and you’re going to see a different front from us,” Helbling said. “You’re going to see us control the front defensively, establish the line of scrimmage offensively, we’re committing to the run game and all the way around if we get things clicking we’re going to be tough to beat.”
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
| Friday, August 28, 2015 | 5
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People will respect us. They will not walk off that field and say ‘throw it up, we got the (win).’ It’s not happening. If anything else, we want to establish that.” Phil Helbling Moscow football coach From the moment Moscow takes the field against Grangeville at 8 p.m. tonight at the Kibbie Dome, and then throughout the entire season, Helbling wants his team ready for battle. And regardless if the Bears do come out victorious, Helbling refuses to let his group be a “keel over” team this season, one that opponents come in perhaps
Geoff Crimmins/Daily News
Moscow football coach Phil Helbling, center, directs a practice Aug. 17 in Moscow. overconfident against. “People will respect us,” Helbling said. “They will not walk off that field and say ‘throw it up, we got the (win).’
It’s not happening. If anything else, we want to establish that. We want to have that confidence so that when we take the field we know
we’re going to win the game.” Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached at (208) 883-4629 or by email at Mdugar@dnews.com.
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Moscow defensive back Collin Niehenke, right, catches a pass during a practice Aug. 17 in Moscow. The Bears open their season against Grangeville at 8 p.m. tonight at the Kibbie Dome.
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Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
About the Mustangs Coach: Doug Henderson (fifth season) 2014 record: (7-3, 7-0 1A Division 2), Finished year as regular season champs then lost to Wilder 69-36 in state quarterfinals Point differential 2014: +165 (320 for, 155 against) Key players: Morgan Beyer (QB), Kael Stelck (MLB), Tyler Anderson (RB), Andrew Trueman (OL/DL), Hunter Vallem (OL/DL), Seth Winter (WR/LB) and Jalen Kirk (DB)
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Deary coach Doug Henderson, right, leads conditioning training during a practice Aug. 12 in Deary. The Mustangs open their season against Potlatch at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kibbie Dome.
Mustangs eyeing continued success, deep playoff run After three early exits, Deary hoping experience guides team to state By Michael-Shawn Dugar Daily News staff writer
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Deary football players run sprints during a practice Aug. 12, 2015 in Deary. The Mustangs open their season against Potlatch at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kibbie Dome.
The third time wasn’t the charm last season for the Mustangs. While Deary’s 2014 campaign can, in many ways, be deemed a success, it ended at a point coach Doug Henderson and his Mustangs have become all too familiar with. After a 7-2 run through the regular season, Deary suffered an early, first-round exit in the state tournament for the third straight year. But Henderson won’t let his team get ahead of itself, since it will be months before it’s time to focus on the playoffs. Still, the idea of bypassing that first-round exit point is on the mind of the fifth-year coach. “I don’t know, I hope we
figure it out,” Henderson said when asked how his team will get over that hump. “These guys have been there three years so they know what to expect. Of course we gotta take care of business before that comes. A lot of that comes down to what we’re able to work out during the regular season, how polished we’re able to get, how composed we’re able to be and how much we can pay attention to the small details of our game.” It’s on his players’ minds, too. “We don’t want to get bounced in the first round this year. We have a lot of experience coming back,” senior Kael Stelck said. “Every day in practice you have to go hard. You can’t allow yourself to get caught up in ‘Oh, I don’t have to go hard because we’re going to win games.’ We’ve gotten there and we’ve lost so obviously something needs to change.” See Deary, Page 15
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
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About the Wildcats Coach: Clark Vining (10th season) 2014 point differential: -82 2014 overall record: 3-6 Key Players: Carter Dahmen (QB), Luke Moore (OL/DL)
Colton 2015 schedule Sept. 4: at Salmon River, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: vs. Dayton, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: vs. Sunnyside Christian, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: vs. St. JohnEndicott, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: Colton at Dayton, 7 p.m.
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Colton coach Clark Vining, center, leads drils during a practice Aug. 21 in Colton.
Colton young, but experienced Wildcats hoping last year’s adversity will pay off By Tom Hager Daily News staff writer
Injuries are never easy for a team to deal with, but when it happens to a team like Colton, the impact can be substantial. That was the case last year for the Wildcats, who suffered injuries early in the season and were forced to insert eighth graders into the starting lineup. Colton went from a 3-0 start to a 3-6 final record, but now the team can reap the benefits of throwing those newcomers into fire so early. Those freshman are coming in with experience and allow the Wildcats to increase their team size from 16 players last season to 19 this year. “I like what I see,” coach Clark Vining said. “Everyone came back bigger and stronger than last year. That’s always a plus. It’s kind of early to say if we’ll be better or not. I like our effort so far and things look pretty good.” Parker Druffel, Kyle Daley and Reece Chadwick were all letterwinners last year as eighth graders. Vining will take all the help from his younger players he can get. Colton will have just five upperclassmen this year, with only two seniors. Fortunately for the Wildcats both of those seniors will play huge roles.
Luke Moore is a starter on both the offensive and defensive lines and will be one of six players that could play on both sides of the ball. The other senior is Carter Dahmen, the star quarterback and safety. “He brings a year of starting experience back at quarterback, which is pretty huge,” Vining said. “Last year he threw for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns so it’s always nice to have a guy with some experience behind center.” Junior Brady Chadwick is back at linebacker and receiver. Grant Kinzer is also back at receiver and will play safety as well. Along with defensive lineman Pete Schultheis and linebacker Cameron Bean, that group will help solidify a defense that Vining hopes to improve. “We’ve got to be able to get some stops throughout the game and at times last year we weren’t able to do that a whole lot,” Vining said. “Offensively we averaged 329 yards per game so we were able to move the ball, but ball security is definitely something we want to improve on and not turn the ball over. And be able to finish drives.” Liberty Christian is a favorite to win the Southeast 1B league title, but Vining is in his 10th year at Colton and knows how to get the best out of his players. The Wildcats begin the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Salmon River. Tom Hager can be reached at (208) 883-4633 or by email to thager@dnews.com.
Oct. 16: vs. Touchet, 7 p.m. Nathan Howard/Daily News
Colton football players participate in tackling drills during a practice Aug. 21 in Colton. The Wildcats begin their season Sept. 4 at Salmon River.
Oct. 30: vs. Pomeroy, 7 p.m. Nov. 5: vs. Gar-Pal, 7 p.m.
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8 | Friday, August 28, 2015 |
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Colfax all about finishing season strong Bulldogs plan to end this season how last year’s started By Tom Hager Daily News staff writer
Colfax looked like a potential state championship after six games last year. The Bulldogs were 6-0 and seemed poised to make some noise in the playoffs. Four games later, however, the Colfax football season was suddenly over. The final record? 6-4. “What we’re emphasizing out here right now is just getting over that hump,” coach Mike Morgan said. “Six wins, there’s a lot of people that would like to have six wins but for us we feel like we’re capable of a little bit more and that’s what we want from our young men is to finish strong.”
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There’s a lot of people that would like to have six wins, but for us we feel like we’re capable of a little bit more and that’s what we want from our young men is to finish strong.” Mike Morgan Colfax football coach To the Bulldogs’ credit, last year’s schedule was backloaded with Davenport, Reardan, LindRitzville/Sprague and Reardan again. LRS is 38-1 over the last three seasons with two state titles, and Colfax took that game down to the wire in a 27-25 loss.
Nevertheless, Colfax has plans to end their season on a different note this year. “That’s a key point for us. We’re going to have to start our season strong, but this year something new we’re weight lifting all the way through the season, which last year we just did the summer,” Colfax quarterback Keith Gfeller said. “We thought our strength kind of died off last year and (we want to) just keep our motor going for the whole season.” This year’s schedule is backloaded once again, with Colfax playing Davenport, Reardan Cary Wilton/Daily News and Lind-Ritville/Sprague to end the season. Colfax certainly Colfax coach Mike Morgan, center, observes his team during a has the weapons to handle any practice Tuesday in Colfax. of those opponents. It starts with Gfeller, who was a running back that Morgan said should was also a member of the track back last year, but played back- get 20 touches a game. team. That core of returning up quarterback behind Mark Opening holes for him will be players gives Colfax a chance to Weber and will bring a run- the front line of Tyler Kincaid, get through the gauntlet to end ning element to the QB position. Nick McAdams and Kenton Cody Fulfs, a member of the Lyman. The receiving unit will See Colfax, Page 15 track team, is a speedy running be led by Toby Warwick, who
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Colfax quarterback Keith Gfeller, center, throws a pass during a drill at a practice Tuesday in Colfax.
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About the Bulldogs Coach: Mike Morgan 2014 record: 6-4 overall 2014 point differential: +94 Key Players: Keith Gfeller (QB), Cody Fulfs (RB) and Toby Warwick (WR)
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
| Friday, August 28, 2015 | 9
Athleticism, confidence the focus for Genesee Bulldogs’ Becker ready to take leadership role in sophomore season
By Michael-Shawn Dugar Daily News staff writer
In just one season under the Genesee coaching staff, Edward Becker has become the posterchild for the values the Bulldogs hope to exemplify. Becker, a sophomore, will serve as the team’s renaissance man this season as he’ll play tight end, running back and linebacker. And he’s positive that he’ll succeed at all three spots. “I don’t have any doubt in myself, I believe I can excel at any position, offensive line through quarterback,” Becker said. “The confidence comes from our coaching staff,” he
continued. “We have a really, really great coaching staff. They instill a confident attitude in the team just by the type of people that they are. We see them every day and attitudes rub off on people. They’ve definitely rubbed off on us.” Becker’s confidence extends to the entire team, including quarterback Kyle Moser, who will take over as the Bulldogs’ quarterback. Moser played under center sparingly last season, primarily as a cleanup guy, so this will be his first time in the starting role. Moser said he doesn’t feel the Bulldogs as a team will enter this season as a highly-respected group, but with the combination of youth and athleticism, “we’re going to be able to have some success this year with the young guys See Genesee, Page 10
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Genesee quarterback Kyle Moser, center, scrambles under pressure during a practice Aug. 18 in Genesee.
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Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
‘100 percent all the time’
Genesee 2015 schedule Aug. 27: vs. Kendrick, 7 p.m. (Kibbie Dome) Sept. 4: at Prairie, 7 p.m. Sept. 11: at Deary, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: vs. Potlatch, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: at Troy, 7 p.m. Oct 2.: at Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: vs. Lapwai, 7 p.m. Oct. 16: vs. Kamiah, 7 p.m.
About the Bulldogs Genesee running back Garrett Borth prepares for a play during a practice Aug. 18 in Genesee.
Genesee from Page 9
we have.” “We’re young and people aren’t going to see us coming,” Moser said. “We got some speed, we got some strength and we got some young guys that are going to step up this year and really show us what they got.” With a primarily young team, Moser believes it’s critical that the Bulldogs make a statement and go full throttle at all times. “Every game, every play that we have we want to be that team going 100 percent all the time,” he said. Becker disagrees, again resorting back to the impor-
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Every game, every play that we have we want to be that team going 100 percent all the time.” Kyle Moser Genesee quarterback tance of confidence. “We don’t have to prove anything to anybody,” he said. “Only thing we have to prove is to our coaches and our players and make sure all our players have confidence in us. If we go out and try out hardest then we got it what it takes
to ‘make a statement’ because it doesn’t matter what people think about us.” Whether or not the team makes any statements, coach Jason Hanson, like Moser, is banking on the versatility and youth of guys like Becker to carry the Bulldogs through the season. But with only 22 players on the roster, 13th-year coach has to be cautious with how often he places his athletes on both sides of the ball. “It’s going to be important for kids to get out there and contribute, come off the field, get coached up, get right back on the field and get out there and maybe be somewhere else,” Hanson said. “We don’t want to wear out or wear down.” Becker personifies another quality Hanson and staff want to see in their players: leader-
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Coach: Jason Hanson (13th year overall, sixth consecutive season)
ship. Becker said his favorite 2014 season breakdown: player is middle linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina 6-4 overall (3-3 league), defeated Idaho City 46-0 in state Panthers, which also explains why he prefers his own line- play-in game before falling to Raft River in the state backer spot over any other posiquarterfinals. tion. His fascination with the former NFC Defensive Player Key players: Eddie of the Year also explains why Becker (TE/LB/RB), Kyle he’s prepared to take on a vetMoser (QB/DB), Cole Allen eran role in only his second (OL/DL), Hayden Woods season. “He’s a really good lineback- (TE/LB), Kade Best (OL/DL) Carson Parkins (RB/LB), er and he’s really young like me,” Becker said of Kuechly, Coy Stout (OL/DL) and Jake DeMeerleer (TE/LB. who’s already a 2-time All-Pro at age 24. “He was a leader as Team strength: a rookie and I’m looking up to him to be a young guy and be “Athleticism. We’re a younger team, mostly made up of a leader.” sophomores and freshmen but we have a lot of athletes and Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached kids that can play multiple at (208) 883-4629, by email to mdugar@dnews.com or on Twitter to positions,” coach Jason @MikeDugar. Hanson said.
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
| Friday, August 28, 2015 | 11
Kendrick 2015 schedule Aug. 27: at Genesee, 7 p.m. (Kibbie Dome) Sept. 4: at Lakeside, 7 p.m. Sept. 11: vs. Lewis County, 7 p.m.
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Kendrick quarterback Hunter Jones completes passing drills during a practice Aug. 12 in Kendrick.
Tigers turning juniors to leaders
Team banking on youth to upend Deary, make playoffs By Michael-Shawn Dugar Daily News staff writer
No seniors, no problem. The Kendrick Tigers don’t need to worry about a lack of leadership, experience or any of the other luxuries traditionally award to teams with senior direction. Third-year coach Zane Hobart doesn’t have reason to be concerned when he has the veteran guidance of three juniors: Blake Marker, Mason Hewett and Peter Towne. Marker, now a three-year starter at middle linebacker and full back, has played every snap of every game for Kendrick, and Hobart expects a standout year from the young two-way player. “Kids look up to him,” Hobart said. “He’s just a tough-nosed kid.”
While Marker aims for consistency at his regular position, Jones steps in to fill the void at quarterback, and he’s already earned his teammates’ confidence. Hewett, a tight end, said he already feels in sync with his new signal-caller after spending time running routes and catching during the offseason. “Having no seniors, we’re pretty much filling their spot this year,” Towne said. “With the leaders we have already, I feel like the urgency is there and we realize that we’re good enough to make it somewhere this year, but there’s always next year, too. It’s a good balance.” Towne may have to step into the greatest leadership role since he’s serving as the elder statesmen on the two front lines. But Hobart is confident that Towne, who started all of last after missing his freshman season after suffering a broken wrist, is ready for the task. “He’s going to be a big contributor on the line of scrimmage and just bringing a lot of knowledge to help our young kids because we’re going to have two young kids -- a freshman and a sophomore -- on either side of him,” Hobart said. But it’s going to take a collective effort from all eight men on the field if the Tigers are going to achieve their goals this season — compete with upper-tier teams like Genesee, earn See Kendrick, Page 15
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Sept. 25: at Lapwai, 7 p.m.
Kendrick quarterback Hunter Jones runs through a sprinkler while completing a drill during a practice Aug. 12 in Kendrick.
Oct. 9: vs. Kootenai, 7 p.m.
About the Tigers Coach: Zane Hobart (third season, 9-10 overall record)
Oct. 16: at Clark Fork, 7 p.m.
2014 record: 6-4 (6-1 in league) Regular season runner-up, lost to Council in state quarterfinals to finish tied for fifth place.
Oct. 23: vs. Timberline, 7 p.m.
Key returners: Blake Marker (RB/FB/MLB), Peter Towne (OL/DL), Mason Hewett (TE), Hunter Jones (QB)
Oct. 30: vs. Deary, 7 p.m.
Key game: Oct. 30 at home against Deary, “It’s a really big game, they’ve always gave us a run for our money,” lineman Peter Towne said.
Mann & Stanke, CPA’s wishes all of the region’s athletes success this school year!
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12 | Friday, August 28, 2015 |
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Vikings 2015 schedule Sept. 4: at Wallace, 7 p.m. Sept. 11: vs. Lakeside, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: at Touchet, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: vs. Dayton, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: vs. St. JohnEndicott, 7 p.m. Oct. 16: vs. Liberty Christian, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: at Pomeroy, 7 p.m. Oct. 30: vs. Sunnyside Christian, 7 p.m.
About the Vikings Coach: Willy Woltering 2014 record: 8-3 (best season in school history since 1988) Key Departures: Hunter Woltering (QB), Cole Sanderson (RB) Key Returners: Ian Neibergs (LB), Wyatt Griner (RB) Team strength: Youth. “We’ll be kind of scrappy. We won’t be quite as dynamic but I think we’ll be a little above average,” coach Willy Woltering said.
Garfield-Palouse running back Wyatt Griner, left, carries the ball during a practice Aug. 21 in Palouse.
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Gar-Pal beginning a new era Vikings following up stellar year with new players By Tom Hager Daily News staff writer
Last season was nothing short of fantastic for the Gar-Pal football team. The Vikings reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament, posting an 8-3 record along the way — the best season for the program since 1988. Now they are looking to follow up that success with another stellar year. However, Gar-Pal coach Willy Woltering has his work cut out for him. Superstar tailback Cole Sanderson graduated, as did quarterback Hunter Woltering. They were just two players in a senior class that had five starters on last year’s team. “But we have a good freshman class so Nathan Howard/Daily News
See Gar-Pal, Page 16
Gar-Pal’s Evan Weagraff (1) catches a snap during a practice Aug. 21 in Palouse.
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
| Friday, August 28, 2015 | 13
Loggers relying on toughness, physicality Same plan for Potlatch: play harder than the opponent By Michael-Shawn Dugar Daily News staff writer
About the Loggers Coach: Pat Amos (35-39 overall record 2014 record: 3-5 (2-4 league) 2014 point differential: -112 (306 for, 416 against) Key players: Cole Wallen (QB), Levi Weldy (WR/DE), Tristen Dudley and Baily Clark (RB) Team strength: toughness, physicality
Potlatch 2015 schedule Aug. 29: at Deary, 2 p.m. (Kibbie Dome) Sept. 5: at Troy, 7 p.m. Sept. 11: Bye Week Sept. 18: at Genesee, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: vs. Kamiah, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: at Wallace, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: vs. Clearwater Valley Oct. 16: at Prairie, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: vs. Lapwai, 7 p.m.
The recipe for a successful Potlatch football season is simple: toss in the usual toughness, mix in a large dose of physicality and mix in a new quarterback. And hold the experience. The Loggers don’t have much of that, at least not to start the season. Even some of the team’s seniors are technically newcomers. But coach Pat Amos knows that while his team may lack playing experience come Saturday against Deary, his young players will slowly become veterans as the season progresses. “We’re really going to stick with the concept and we want to get better each week,” Amos said. “We want to be competitive within our league and our league is the best eightman league in the state. The teams that we play week-in and week-out are extremely good so we want to go into each game and be competitive and improve and get better.” Potlatch’s schedule doesn’t make achieving success any easier. The Loggers have just three home games and five road trips, a result of playing five home contests last seasons. “We’re going to be road warriors this year,” Amos said, “our kids will have to grow up on the road.” The Loggers will be led by senior quarterback Cole Wallen, who will step into a somewhat different role for a player that Amos said “brings a wrestling mentality to football.” Wallen said he’s prepared to be a full-time quarterback, but admits the overhaul of road games is a challenge. “Our shortest drive is to Deary and that’s 30 minutes [Which has been relocated to he Kibbie Dome due to poor air quality]. Everything else is
Nathan Howard/Daily News
Potlatch football players complete drills during a practice Aug. 12 in Potlatch. pretty close to two hours or an figures to be one of Wallen’s hour,” Wallen said. “We got a top targets this year at the “X” long drive so you kind of get a receiver position. Weldy said little lackadaisical. It’s a little he “feels good” about Wallen as harder to get motivated. Then the team’s quarterback after when you’re at watching home you get his friend to relax for a enhance little bit, you his game don’t have to e a c h be on the bus year. for a long time, “I’ve you get to just seen a go out and lot of play.” improveW a l l e n ments in said he prehim as fers his strong a quarsafety positerback,” tion because Weldy “you get to hit said. “I people,” which h a v e Pat Amos speaks to the seen an Potltach football coach toughness his improvecoach praises ment in him for. me as an “He’s physical, he likes to ‘X’ and as an end. The same scrap and he likes that physi- with the entire team, I’ve seen cality of football,” Amos said. a lot of improvements.” “He’d rather be hitting someAmos singled out sophoone but he’s also an extremely mores Tristen Dudley and smart kid, so he can run our Baily Clark as a pair of returnoffense. He throws the ball ing players who use their talnicely and he can run.” ent to compensate for their Levi Weldy, also a senior, lack of experience.
“
We may not be the best team on the field but when you walk off the field you’ll know that you played a football game against us.”
“I see a lot of the time in high school the running back out-running his blocking,” Amos said. “Baily will stick behind his block, read his block, wait for the engagement and then pop out. He’s got a lot of quickness so he’s a lot of fun to watch.” But regardless of youth or experience, Amos said the team will stick to its primary gun every night: toughness. It’s what the Loggers pride themselves on and something they’ve established a reputation for over the years. Even if the talent level isn’t always elite, Amos and his group make sure to bring physicality to the game. This year will be no different. “We may not be the best team on the field but when you walk off the field you’ll know that you played a football game against us,” Amos said. “That’s always been our strength.” Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached at (208) 883-4629, by email to mdugar@dnews.com or on Twitter to @ MikeDugar.
14 | Friday, August 28, 2015 |
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
‘Troy levy passed, be ready’ Troy 2015 schedule Sept. 5: vs. Potlatch, 7 p.m. Sept. 11: at St. JohnEndicott, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: at Lapwai, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: vs. Genesee, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: at Kamiah, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: vs. Prairie, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: at Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.
About the Trojans Coach: Rob Bafus (seventh season, 52-11 career record) 2014 record: 8-2 (5-1 league) Key players: Chase Blazzard (QB), David Blum (LB/RB), Jonah Lay (RB) and Jake Nelson
Cary Wilton/Daily News
Troy coach Rob Bafus, second from left, leads the Trojan football team in drills during a practice Tuesday night in Troy after finding out the school district’s levy was approved and the school would have a team this fall.
Troy transforming summer uncertainty into fall success After questions about the team’s status, Trojans undoubtedly ready to hit the field By Michael-Shawn Dugar Daily News staff writer
Jake Nelson had a case of the butterflies, he knew the fate of his senior football season at Troy was hanging in the balance. Chase Blazzard was equally nervous, his own Trojan career currently uncertain. The junior quarterback said he would have “probably” transferred to another school had the Troy
School District’s levy attempt not been approved Tuesday night. But fortunately for the two Trojan co-captains, a text from teammate David Blum at about 9:30 p.m. ended all doubt. “I was on Facebook and saw that my mom shared a post from Renae Bafus saying that it passed,” Blum said Tuesday night before the Trojan’s first official practice of the season. “I liked it, commented on it ‘heck yeah’ and then I texted some of my buddies and then went on Snapchat and put it on my Snapchat story. I said ‘Troy levy passed, be ready.’ ” His teammates were definitely ready. The players weren’t allowed to contact the coaches or use school facilities until the town’s levy passed
— which it did Tuesday with 73 percent of the votes — so many of them gathered at the city park three times a week to hold informal workouts. Blum said he too had contacted other schools regarding a potential transfer but, “I had to stay here. Nothing wrong with other schools, they’re good people and have very good teams, but I like Troy. I want to stay here.” And here they are, ready for another strong season. “This will be my 10th year playing football and it will probably be my last, too,” Nelson said. “I was really praying that it would pass and thank God it did.” As if the odds weren’t stacked against Troy enough — most Whitepine League teams began practicing Aug. 10 — the
Trojans are also shorthanded. Just 13 players participated in Tuesday night’s practice and it’s unclear whether that number will increase during the season. Troy coach Rob Bafus said he and his staff have devised a practice plan to ensure the team hits the ground running by the time his group takes the field to host Potlatch on Sept. 5 in the season opener. “We are behind the eight ball,” Bafus said. “I’m not a deeply religious guy but with what’s going on right now, some things are happening for a reason. Our levy passed by 73 percent tonight, there’s been smoke in the air See Troy, Page 16
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Deary 2015 schedule Aug. 29: vs. Potlatch, 2 p.m. (Kibbie Dome) Sept. 11: vs. Genesee, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: at Lewis County, 7 p.m. Sept. 25: vs. Timberline, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: at Joseph (Ore.), 7 p.m. Oct. 9: vs. Clark Fork, 7 p.m. Oct. 16: at Kootenai, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: vs. Lakeside, 7 p.m. Oct. 30: at Kendrick, 7 p.m.
Deary from Page 6
The beauty of this season for Henderson is that he doesn’t need his team to take a quantum leap in terms of improvement. He has coached several talented, cohesive groups the past five years and he believes if they continue to build on that then the team will undoubtedly achieve its goals. In the past the task of passing on those core team values has belonged to the seniors, of which Deary has eight this year. Stelck, a middle linebacker, leads the defense, while fellow seniors such as linemen Hunter Vallem, Andrew Trueman take the reins on
offense along with quarterback Morgan Beyer. “I expect (Beyer) to completely run the offense, have complete command in the huddle, command over the field, be able to communicate with coach to get the plays that we need, read the defenses and know what he’s doing,” Stelck said. “He’s an accurate quarterback, he knows what he’s doing so I expect him to make the passes he needs to make.” Running back Tyler Anderson is expected to play a major role this season as well. Anderson — who Henderson says is about 6-foot-3, 230 pounds — was a dominant force out of the backfield but in a limited role, playing on the line most
of the season. Now with Trueman and Vallem holding down the fort up front, last year’s “secret weapon” has his chance to do plenty more damage to opposing defenses. “Tyler is a heck of a player and he’s been a heck of a player for a long time,” Stelck said. “He’s definitely one of our leaders. We expect a lot from him, being a senior and being one of the guys that the team’s going to look to in big situations to pull us out of stuff and adversity. People are going to be looking to people like him to step up and provide the team with the spark we need.” Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached at (208) 883-4629, by email to mdugar@dnews.com or on Twitter to @MikeDugar.
Kendrick from Page 11
another playoff berth and make a run at the state tournament title. “We’ve got some players, we’got some athletes and I don’t think we’re far off from being state champions or anything like that,” Towne said. “We have the athleticism to do it, not the maturity, yet, but I feel like if we develop throughout the season, we can.” And of course, Kendrick hopes to end the regular season with a win over rival Deary. In each of Hobart’s first two seasons the Tigers have fallen to their division foe. Last year’s 28-0 loss to Deary in the Whitepine League title game sent Kendrick to unfavorable matchup down at Council in the state quarterfinals, in which Hobart’s group fell 62-0. The Tigers preach approaching the season with a “game-bygame” mentality, but the magnitude of a rivalry game in the regular season finale is a showdown no one can ignore, not even
| Friday, August 28, 2015 | 15
in August. “We know we can compete all the way through our season but it all comes down to the last game of the year against Deary and us playing for all of the marbles,” Marker said. “We’ll be able to get them this year, we’re a lot more mature and we’ll be a more sound team all together.” Marker’s remarks reflect an overall confident Kendrick team that has hopes of building on last year’s six-win season. The Tigers will need that optimism with the expectations Hobart says the community has placed on his group. “They hear it enough around town from moms, dads, aunts and uncles and I don’t want to be that guy,” Hobart said. “I want to take that pressure off, have a little fun and take that thing game-bygame. We prepare week-by-week to get to the eventual goal of playing Deary to see who can play in that first-round playoff game in the Dome. “We want to play in the Kibbie Dome, we don’t want to go down south.” Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached at (208) 883-4629, by email to mdugar@ dnews.com or on Twitter to @MikeDugar.
Colfax 2015 schedule Sept. 4: at Liberty, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: vs. WilburCreston 7 p.m. Sept. 25: vs. Northwest Christian (at Eastern Washington), 7 p.m. Oct. 2: at Springdale, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: vs. Kettle Falls, 7 p.m. Oct. 16: at Davenport, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: vs. Reardan, 7 p.m. Oct. 30: at Lind-Ritzville/ Sprague, 7 p.m.
Colfax from Page 8
the season. “This is a tough league. If you look back at the history of our league, a couple of us have been in the quarters, the semis and the state championship game, either winning the title or get-
ting second the last eight years,” Morgan said. “... You better bring it every Friday night.” With Morgan at the helm, that shouldn’t be a problem. Colfax begins its season at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Liberty. Tom Hager can be reached at (208) 883-4633 or by email to thager@dnews. com
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16 | Friday, August 28, 2015 |
Football 2015
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Troy
from Page 14 and nobody has been able to practice outside, I thought we were going to be in the gym tonight and here we are outside under the lights.” But there’s only so many twoa-days, weight lifting sessions or special practice plans the coaches can conduct to make up for the lost time. Fortunately over the summer the team’s leaders rose to the occasion, which Bafus described as “priceless.” “We talked about in football camp up back in June up at Whitworth that ‘Hey guys, we don’t know what’s going to happen with the levy but we’re in a situation where we have a chance to do something special and it’s how you guys take the reins,’ ” Bafus recalled. “You guys are going to be steering the ship, to a certain a extent, through a certain portion of the summer and it’s where you guide that ship as to where we’re going to go ultimately throughout this upcoming season.’ “Our leaders David, Chase and Jake have done a good job of getting that done.” That trio of co-captains plan to get the job done this fall, too. Blazzard enters his second year as the starting quarterback and his peers are more than confident in his ability to guide them to another deep state tournament run. “He’s got an arm,” Nelson said. “Last year was his first time starting and he did surprisingly well. I think he’ll be even better this year.” Then there’s Blum who, along with fellow running back Jonah Lay, is expected to be a terror out of the Trojan backfield this season.
Cary Wilton/Daily News
Troy backup quarterback Isaac Stoner, right, throws the ball during a practice Tuesday night in Troy after finding out the school district’s levy was approved and the school would have a team this fall. “They’ve gotten really fast,” Nelson said. “Jonah can run probably as fast Kellen Hoskins can, and David is pretty strong. They fit right in.” All of Troy’s key pieces will come together on the field Sept.
Gar-Pal from Page 12
I think we’ll be alright,” Woltering said. “We’ll be kind of scrappy. We won’t be quite as dynamic but I think we’ll be a little above average.” This year’s team includes seven freshmen, and despite being young they add some much-needed depth to the roster.
5, and the team hopes the community, typically lined up along the sidelines to watch the Trojans, unifies as well. “We’re hitting the ground running tonight with a purpose of restoring the pride in our
“Last year we only had 15 kids and honestly we were in better shape than everybody,” Woltering said. “That’s why we were as good as we were. That’s what I’m kind of hoping to do again.” Leading the way for the Vikings this year will be Ian Neibergs, the top tackler on last year’s team. He comes into this season with some momentum after seeing success last year. “It helped us a lot because we got a lot more confident and we saw what we could do,” Neibergs said. “... We should
community,” Bafus said. “Right now this community is hurt. It’s beat up, it’s gut-punhced, unfortunately it hasn’t been the most civil back and forth between the two sides. We have a unique opportunity as a small-town
just keep that level of play up.” Neibergs is also stepping into a leadership role after watching Sanderson and Woltering fill that role last season. “It’s a big responsibility,” Neibergs said, “but I’m just trying to be the best I can and see if I can help the freshmen get into it and help the underclassmen get involved and see if they can get to the level of play that we played at last year.” Evan Weagraff will be the starting quarterback this season, while Wyatt
football program to get to playing on Friday nights, get this behind us and learn from this.” Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached at (208) 883-4629 or by email at Mdugar@dnews.com.
Griner will start at running back. Weagraff is more of a runner than Woltering, giving Gar-Pal two players capable of eating up the yards. The Vikings are certainly no lock to win the Southeast 1B league title, with Liberty Christian coming in as the favorite, but Gar-Pal should still be a solid team this year. Either way, the future looks bright for Viking football. Tom Hager can be reached at (208) 883-4633 or by email to thager@dnews.com.