High School Football, August 2021

SEEKING

REDEMPTION After the anticlimax of 2020, PRAIRIE looks for a reset

A special publication of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Prairie senior running back TJ Hibbard squeezes a football.

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New season, new format, same information

W

e thought for this football season, we’d try something a bit different.

According to my predecessor, assistant city editor Matt Baney, high school football previews have run within the confines of the daily Tribune Sports section for at least 40 years. Two generations! It definitely was good for local content, and I’m sure every subscriber waited anxiously to see how their favorite team preparing to COMMENTARY was start the season.

So I thought, absent-mindedly, instead of making our subscribers wait, possibly, days before seeing their team’s preview run in the daily section, why can’t we put everyone into one, neat little special section?

Thus, the idea behind our preview was born. It’s a triedand-true formula that has worked throughout the country at numerous family- and corpo-

Donn Walden

rate-owned newspapers. It’s a simple concept: preview each team in one place, giving you, the consumer, a one-stop shop for all things high school football.

I was told it couldn’t be done.

I was told we’ve done it the same way for so long. I was told the advertisers wouldn’t be there.

So I took a chance. I wanted to implement the idea when I arrived in August 2019, but I had so much on my plate and to pull it off in a short amount of time was a bit of a stretch, so I put it on the back burner.

I wanted to roll the idea out last year. However, we all know what took place when COVID-19 struck our world in March 2020.

It was just not feasible to do it then with all of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, with the loss of advertising dollars so great it reminded me of all of the losses everyone took when the Great Recession hit in 2008.

So I shelved the idea once again. But I was determined to make it happen this year.

With seemingly all sports coming back to a “normal” time frame, I felt this was the time to roll out the project.

Sure, my work began two years ago when I arrived, but I wanted to amplify it more. So once the Avista

NAIA World Series concluded, I went to Managing Editor Craig Clohessy, and with his blessing, I marched forward with the project.

Collaborating with our advertisting and marketing departments, with big assists from marketing director Doug Bauer and consultant Steve Ellison and their crew, we set out an ambitious timeline to hit the area’s businesses, athletic departments and all those who wanted to be a part of this inaugural project.

Most certainly, I was floored with the response we received from the community at large.

Hence, what you see here is a culmination of all of our hard work. For a first year putting this together, I couldn’t be more proud.

We hope you, the subscriber, are as well. This is a project we hope to continue in the future.

It is vital and important that we give not just these high school football players, but all high school athletes, the spotlight many of them so richly deserve.

On behalf of all of us here at the Tribune, we say good luck to all the athletes that will take the fields and courts this season.

Walden may be reached at (208) 848-2258, dwalden@lmtribune.com, or on Twitter at @waldo9939.

Table of contents Lewiston ..................................................................Page 3 Moscow ............................................................................ 6 Clarkston.......................................................................... 9 Pullman........................................................................... 12 Grangeville .....................................................................14 Orofino ............................................................................16 Clearwater Valley ........................................................... 17 Genesee ..........................................................................18 Cover story ................................................................20-21 Kamiah............................................................................22 Lapwai ............................................................................23 Logos ............................................................................. 24 Potlatch ..........................................................................25 Prairie .............................................................................27 Troy.................................................................................28 Deary ..............................................................................29 Kendrick......................................................................... 30 Lewis County...................................................................32 Timberline ......................................................................33 Salmon River ................................................................. 34 Asotin..............................................................................35 Colfax ..............................................................................36 Pomeroy .........................................................................38 Cover credit: Pete Caster/Tribune Design: Donn Walden Contributors: Dale Grummert, Stephan Wiebe, Cody Wendt, Evan Wiederspohn, Randy Isbelle, Trevan Pixley.

Photographers: Caster, August Frank, Zach Wilkinson.

> On social media Be sure to vote in our weekly polls by following us on Twitter @LewTrib_Sports. Also, follow all of our writers and photographers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates, pick up the Tribune and Daily News on Saturdays for all of the stories and recaps, then go to lmtribune.com/sports to see photo galleries and videos from the games.

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — Kuna, 7 p.m.

9/4 — Madison, 3 p.m.

9/10 — Clarkston, 7 p.m.

9/17 — at Eisenhower, 7:30 p.m.

9/24 — at Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Moscow, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Post Falls, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Lake City, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m.

Bengals feel they have a good mix

August Frank/Tribune

Lewiston coach Matt Pancheri walks behind his players as they run drills during camp this past week.

Lewiston has veterans, youngsters to make a run at Class 5A IEL title, playoffs

By TREVAN PIXLEY SPORTS STAFF

T Pancheri

he main recipe for success in football at the high school level is experience, along with youth that can step in and make a difference for the foreseeable future.

Fifth-year Lewiston High School coach Matt Pancheri feels

the Bengals have a mix of veteran leadership along with young players who will contribute.

“We have experience where we need experience and we have young athletic guys where it’s good to have that youth,” Pancheri said.

On the offensive side, the Bengals have emphasized the importance of running the ball.

“We’re deep in the backfield, we have three fullbacks along with three running backs who will all see playing time,” Pancheri said.

One of those runners is senior Cruz Hepburn, who returns after suffering a knee injury in the fourth game of the 2020 season, which cut his junior year short.

> See LEWISTON, Page 4

> 5 things to watch Lots of experience Two out of three starting receivers are back.

Run game will be a strength.

Dynamic playmakers Defensive line returns three starters.

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Lewiston’s Thor Kessinger kicks the ball as the Bengals worked on special teams drills during a practice this past week. The Bengals begin this season at 7 p.m. today at Bengal Field against Kuna.

August Frank/ Tribune

> Lewiston COACH — Matt Pancheri (fifth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 1-3 in Class 5A Inland Empire League, 3-6 overall.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Sean Carper, sr., OL; Cruz Hepburn, sr., Blake Earl, sr., WR; RB/DB; Blake Hill, sr., DB; Jared Jelinek, jr., WR; Thor Kessinger, sr., DE; Logan Meisner, sr., LB; Jace McKarcher, sr., QB/DB; Chase Russel, sr., Vincent Shriver, sr., LB; Robert Storm, jr., NT. James White, jr., TE.

LEWISTON > Continued from PAGE 3 “He’s a great inside runner who’s insanely shifty,” Pancheri said. “He’s a playmaker. If he has the ball in his hands he’s going to make a play.”

The biggest part of Lewiston’s rushing attack, however, is the size of its offensive line.

“Everybody playing offensive line for us this year is bigger,” Pancheri said. “Either bigger than the graduating kids or bigger than they were last year, I love our offensive line.”

Hepburn

Kessinger

McKarcher

Size is another key element, especially when playing teams in the Class 5A Inland Empire League.

“Every year we play schools bigger than us,” Pancheri said.

“We always see someone who is big and strong who’s getting recruited to play at the next level.

“If you don’t have someone who can block them, they’ll have a big day.”

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With the size of Lewiston’s offensive line, Pancheri is hoping to match other teams in the trenches.

The experience for the Bengals on defense lies on their front seven. They are returning five starters from last year.

“We’re bringing back three defensive linemen and all of our starting linebackers,” Pancheri said.

“They’re just excited to play football again, they’re going to be better and smarter than they were a year ago.”

Defending the pass was a weak spot for the Bengals in 2020, and it has been a point of emphasis for Lewiston during camp.

“We just didn’t defend the pass well last year,” Pancheri said. “That’s the biggest aspect we have to improve on.”

Most of the youth for the Bengals resides in the secondary. However, Pancheri is pleased with the athletes he has on the back end.

“If they use their athleticism to their advantage they’re going to make a lot of plays this year,” Pancheri said.

Lewiston opens the season at 7 p.m. today at Bengal Field against Kuna.

Pixley may be contacted at tpixley@ Michael Ellsworth gets his arms around a teammate during a practice this past week at Church Field. lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

August Frank/Tribune

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — at Grangeville, 7 p.m.

9/3 — Clarkston, 7 p.m.

9/10 — Timberlake, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Pullman, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Lake City, 7 p.m.

10/1 — at Lewiston, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at Lakeland, 7 p.m.

10/15 — Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

New-look Bears building on success

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Moscow receiver Cody Wilson, right, fights off two defenders after catching a pass during a practice this past week. The Bears open the season at 7 p.m. today at Grangeville.

Moscow will feature some new faces at key positions

By STEPHAN WIEBE SPORTS STAFF

M

OSCOW — It’s not every season that a “small” high school program from Idaho loses its star three-year starting quarterback — and a tight end and lineman to NCAA Division I football.

Those are just a few positions the young Moscow Bears team replaces heading into this season, but 10thyear coach Phil Helbling said he’s excited for his up-and-coming players

Helbling

Hutton

Isakson

to get their own chance to shine.

“It’s their opportunity to make a mark and a stamp on their program and do things differently, do things their way,” Helbling said. “I’m just

excited for our kids, excited for the opportunity they have to just get out and play ball in what should hopefully be a more normal year.”

One of those players is senior quarterback Leon Hutton. The versatile 5-foot-9, 176-pounder takes over for departed threeyear starter Chad Redinger.

Like Redinger, Hutton has shown an ability to find room running the ball.

“I’m excited to see what Leon Hutton can do under center at the quarterback position for us,”

> Moscow COACH — Phil Helbling (10th year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 1-1 in Class 4A Inland Empire League, 4-2 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Cody Isakson, sr., WR/DB; Isaiah Murphy, sr., RB/LB; Dylan Decker, sr., WR/ LB; Erik Blaker, sr., RB/LB; Shafer Dycus, sr., WR/DB; Micah Elliss, jr., OL/DL; Logan Tate, jr., WR/DB; Dominic Hutton, soph., OL/DL; Eddy Qualls, so., OL/DL; Elijah Elliss, soph., QB/LB; Cody Wilson, soph., WR/DB; Toby Frei, soph., WR/DB.

P R E P F O O T B A L L 2 0 2 1 / F R I D AY, A U G U S T 2 7, 2 0 2 1 Helbling said. “Good little athlete there and not something we’ve had to have him do the last couple years outside of one snap last year.”

Hutton’s one big snap was a memorable one. At the time a running back and thirdstring quarterback, Hutton heaved a 38-yard pass to Jonah Elliss on third-and-15 on the final drive to clinch an Oct. 9 win against Lakeland.

Now, Elliss is with the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 and Moscow’s biggest lineman, Tyler Skinner, signed with the Idaho Vandals.

> 5 things to watch

Murphy

Elliss

But Moscow still has some key returners ready for more.

Senior running back Isaiah Murphy can run the ball with the best of them, 6-4 senior

HAVE A GREAT SEASON BEARS!

> See MOSCOW, Page 8

For the first time in three years, the Bears have a new starting quarterback in Leon Hutton. Like his predecessor, Hutton has shown an ability to run the ball but he has limited experience passing in varsity games.

Senior running back Isaiah Murphy is poised for a breakout season. The balanced runner has the potential to rack up a lot of yards, and “we’re going to need him to,” coach Phil Helbling said.

Moscow’s young linemen likely will take their lumps early in the season but their growth will be pivotal for the Bears’ success. The departure of most of last year’s line hurts, including Idaho signee Tyler Skinner.

Every year, Helbling preaches the importance of keeping players healthy. End-of-season goals often come down to keeping key players between the hashes and not on the sideline. The importance only grows with a young team like Moscow.

There’s no Redinger, Skinner or Jonah Elliss (who now is at Utah), but Moscow still has some senior leaders in players like Murphy, Hutton and receivers Dylan Decker, Cody Isakson and Shafer Dycus. Helbling says it’s time for them to set their own mark on the program.

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Moscow running back Erik Blaker, with ball, looks for room to run during a recent practice.

Zach Wilkinson/ Daily News

MOSCOW > Continued from PAGE 7 receiver Cody Isakson leads a senior-laden receiving corps and junior offensive/defensive lineman Micah Elliss is the next Elliss brother ready to make a name for himself.

Jonah and Micah are brothers of Kaden Elliss of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.

Micah Elliss and Isakson each earned Class 4A Inland Empire League honors last season.

Last year, the Bears won their first state playoff game in ages — a 47-6 trouncing of Jerome in the first round.

It’ll be tough for this young Moscow team to reach those heights again, but the foundation for success already is there.

“We’ve got a lot of new faces, we’ve got a lot of new kids who are going to have to step up and play some intrical parts on offense and defense,” Helbling said. “It’s just going to be ‘can we get through games week to week and keep kids healthy,’ and if we can do that, I think we’ll be all right.”

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Moscow receiver Dylan Decker catches a pass during a recent practice.

Moscow opens the season at 7 p.m. today at Grangeville.

“It’s just going to be ‘can we get through games week to week and keep kids healthy,’ and if we can do that, I think we’ll be all right.”

MOSCOW COACH PHIL HELBLING

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — at Moscow, 7 p.m.

9/10 — at Lewiston, 7 p.m.

9/17 — at North Central, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Pullman, 7 p.m.

10/1 — at Rogers, 7 p.m.

10/8 — East Valley, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Newport, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at West Valley, 7 p.m.

10/29 — Shadle Park, 7 p.m.

Bantams looking for an identity

Pete Caster/Tribune

A Clarkston lineman rushes toward a ballcarrier during a cat-and-mouse drill at Monday’s practice.

Clarkston lost good number of seniors, but have depth at skill spots

By EVAN WIEDERSPOHN SPORTS STAFF

T

he Clarkston High School football team will be adjusting on the fly after a quick turnaround from a shortened spring season in Washington.

The Bantams finished the pandemic-delayed campaign with a 2-5 record, play-

ing all games in the Class 2A Greater Spokane League.

Clarkston dealt with several injuries throughout the spring, and eighth-year coach Brycen Bye will be looking to build up a young corps with a mix of seasoned returners.

“It’s been very strange for coaches and players,” Bye said.

“Usually, you’re coming off a

camp and not a season. This year, there was no camp because of COVID. … The guys that played last season are excited to get back at it, and our freshmen are very new.”

The Bantams will have seven returning seniors after losing a few key standouts in Terrell Lawson, Eddie Berglund and

> See CLARKSTON, Page 10

> Clarkston COACH — Brycen Bye (eighth year) LAST SEASON’S RECORD — 2-5 in Class 2A Greater Spokane League and overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Tiger Carringer, sr., RB/LB; Carson Patterson, sr., OL/LB; Robby Reagan, sr., WR/DB; Camden Stoker, sr., OL/DL; Brayden Woods, sr., OL/DL; Carson Ash, sr., OL/DL; Christian Howell, jr., WR/DB; Braden Jared, jr., OL/DL; Ikaika Millan, jr., RB/LB; Jeff Olerich, jr., RB/DL; Landon Taylor, jr., WR/DB; Carter Steinwand, soph., QB.

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> 5 things to watch Bye thinks Carter Steinwand, a sophomore who is expected to be the starting quarterback, has the potential to be a special player.

Will there be enough balls to go around for the running back corps of Tiger Carringer, Ikaika Millan, Jeff Olerich and JJ Di Sarno?

Taylor is going to have to play multiple roles. He must avoid getting injured, since he will be a receiver on offense and a defensive back, along with being the team’s specialist.

The depth on the outside on offense and the back end on defense is solid. It’s just finding all of those players the time on the field that will be the question.

Seniors are anchoring the middle of the defense, with three-year starter Carringer leading the way. Carson Patterson will be key too.

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CLARKSTON > Continued from PAGE 9 Dawson Packwood to graduation.

Burglund and Packwood now will play for the College of Idaho.

Senior Tiger Carringer is expected to be the lead tailback and linebacker, and sophomore Carter Steinwand will be the starting quarterback after having one quarter of varsity experience last season filling in for an injury.

“Every team in our league lost a lot of good seniors,” Bye said.

“The year will depend on how these

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Clarkston coach Brycen Bye instructs sophomore quarterback Carter Steinwand during Monday’s practice.

Pete Caster/ Tribune

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groups fill the gaps. ... (I’m) really interested in how it shakes out. I think it’ll be pretty competitive.”

Bye says his team will be particularly deep at receiver, with junior Landon Taylor being one of the main weapons while also being leaned on as a defensive back, punter and kicker. Bye mentioned senior Robby Reagan as another leader at receiver.

Bye indicated there could be up to eight receivers vying for playing time.

It’s been one of the bigger position battles so far.

“The key to this season is how fast we can form an identity on both ends of the field,” Bye said. “Anytime you insert new players, it’s a challenge. So the faster we can get everybody up to speed, the better off we’ll be by the end of the season.”

Clarkston opens the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Moscow.

“The key to this season is how fast we can form an identity on both ends of the field.”

Pete Caster/Tribune

Clarkston receiver Dustin Beck catches a pass during route-running drills at Monday’s practice.

CLARKSTON COACH BRYCEN BYE

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — at Zillah, 7 p.m.

9/10 — Toppenish, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Moscow, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Clarkston, 7 p.m.

10/1 — West Valley, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Rogers, 7 p.m.

10/16 — at Shadle Park, 1 p.m.

10/22 — at East Valley, 7 p.m.

10/29 — North Central, 7 p.m.

Greyhounds look to tap into young talent

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Pullman defensive lineman Nick Robison tackles running back Ben Smith during Tuesday’s practice. The Greyhounds open the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Zillah.

Pullman to return small senior class, but is solid skillwise

By RANDY ISBELLE SPORTS STAFF

L Cofer

ess than five months after finishing its first season in the Class 2A Greater Spokane League, Pullman will take the field in what it hopes is a more typical season.

Last season, coach David

Cofer was worried about shoveling snow to be able to get to his locker room and wondering if the delayed season would take place.

This season, the focus returns to the lack of depth and how to mix and match his skill players to get the most desired affect.

“Our challenge will be

to get guys ready to play that have minimal varsity experience so I can see the depth issue improving as the season moves along,” said Cofer, the fifth-year coach.

The Greyhounds will return one of the smallest senior classes in recent history, expecting to bring back anywhere from

> Pullman COACH — David Cofer (fifth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 4-2 in Class 2A Greater Spokane League and overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Riley Pettitt, sr., QB/DE; Cody Ryan, sr., OL/LB; Nick Robison, sr., OL/DE; Jaxon Patrick, sr., WR/DB/K; Henry Preece, jr., OL/DT; Cotton Sears, jr., OL/DT; Tanner Barbour, jr., WR/DB; Alex Wills, jr., QB/LB; Terran Page, soph., RB/DB

P R E P F O O T B A L L 2 0 2 1 / F R I D AY, A U G U S T 2 7, 2 0 2 1

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Pullman’s Jaxon Patrick kicks a point-after attempt during Tuesday’s practice.

Patrick went to several showcase camps this summer. He also will be a contributor as a receiver and a defensive back.

Zach Wilkinson/ Daily News

seven to 10 12th graders.

A strength for Pllman this season, which they did not get to ex-

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perience last season: a nonleague schedule. The Greyhounds have three games scheduled before their first GSL contest, which is against former Greater Northern League rival Clarkston on Sept. 24.

Those three games will be pivotal in allowing Cofer and the Greyhounds to build up some experience that they are lacking coming into the season.

The experience might be lacking, but the talent should be there.

Cofer sees his team as, “a unique and talented group that is very balanced across the board.” He plans on using multiple skill guys behind a solid offensive line this season.

The offensive line looks to be the biggest strength for Pullman, and ball control will be key.

The Greyhounds open their season on the road when they take on Zillah at 7 p.m. Sept. 3.

Their two other nonleague op-

> 5 things to watch Riley Pettitt is entering his senior year as the quarterback and Pullman is expecting him to have a great season.

Tanner Barbour returns as a receiver/defensive back after playing high school football for the first time this spring. He earned second-team all-league as a DB and led the team in interceptions.

This will be the Greyhounds’ smallest senior class in recent years. They are expecting between seven to 10 seniors.

Jaxon Patrick emerged in the spring as a quality placekicker. The senior spent time this summer going to showcase camps. He also will look to contribute as a receiver/defensive back.

Senior Nick Robison looks to lead the line group on both sides of the ball. He also could see time as a fullback. ponents will be at home against Toppenish and Moscow on Sept.

10 and 17, respectively.

Pullman will host three conference games this season: Oct. 1 vs.

West Valley, Oct. 8 against Rogers and the Oct. 29 regular-season finale vs. North Central.

Cofer will attempt to get the

Greyhounds into the postseason for the first time as part of the GSL, as there was no postseason tournament at the end of the truncated, pandemic-delayed spring season.

Isbelle may be contacted at risbelle@ lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — Moscow, 7 p.m.

9/3 — at Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

9/10 —at Weiser, 7 p.m.

9/17 — McCall-Donnelly, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Kellogg, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at St. Maries, 7 p.m.

10/15 — Orofino, 7 p.m.

10/22 — Melba, 7 p.m.

Bulldogs to rely on senior leadership

Pete Caster/Tribune

Grangeville defensive end Jared Lindsley rushes toward the scout-team quarterback during team drills this past week. The Bulldogs open at 7 p.m. today at home against Moscow.

Grangeville, hit hard by pandemic, must build its depth

By TREVAN PIXLEY SPORTS STAFF

G

rangeville is relying on its seniors to rise to the occasion this season and lead the Bulldogs to make up for what it lacks on the depth chart.

Just like other schools

around the country, the Bulldogs are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout their football program. The turnout for players didn’t go as expected, according to fourthyear coach Jeff Adams.

“We had a lot of kids not come back,” he said.

“Depth is our biggest weakness as of right now.”

Despite the lack of overall depth, an important number for the Bulldogs is nine — they’re returning nine seniors this season.

“I am really excited about our group of seniors,” Adams said. “They are

our biggest strength right now. All of them are going to have to be leaders.”

One of those seniors is quarterback Jared Lindsley. Lindsley will be making his return after suffering an accident in July 2020.

“He’s lucky to be playing again,” Adams said. “He

> 5 things to watch Senior leadership Balance across the offense Ironman football Learning curve defensively Toughness

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Grangeville receiver Miles Lefebvre attempts to catch a pass during offensive drills at a practice this past week.

Pete Caster/ Tribune

broke a lot of bones and ended up being life-flighted.”

Lindsley was riding on his dirt bike up a hill. A car pulled out in front of him and didn’t see him. He hit the side of the car and crumbled to the ground.

Lindsley cracked his skull, which caused bleeding in his brain, along with a collapsed lung.

He also broke several bones.

The Bulldogs weren’t sure if they were going to have their signal-caller for the 2021 season. However, Lindsley put in the work the past 13 months, got motivation by talking with former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, and doctors cleared him to play.

“He really wanted to play this year,” Adams explained. “We’re just as excited to have him back.”

Grangeville’s defense is young and lacking experience. However, it’s led

by Class 2A Central Idaho League defensive player of the year Caleb Frei.

“He’s just a hardworking kid coming off the farm fields in Grangeville,” Adams said, laughing. “He’s a hardnosed, tough, intelligent player.”

The playcalling duties also will change for the Bulldogs in 2021.

Adams now will call plays for the offense and defense this season. Before this season, Adams only called offensive plays.

“It’ll be new for me, that’s for sure,” he said. “I like the players that we have on defense. It’ll be up to me to pull off the playcalling.”

The main focus for Adams is the same as many other coach-

> Grangeville COACH — Jeff Adams (fourth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 2-0 in the Class 2A Central Idaho League, 4-2 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Trid Charley, Quincy Daniels, Isaac Dewey, Caleb Frei, Colyn Goeckner, Jared Lindsley, Miles Lefebvre, Anjel Kent, Josh Nichols, Clay Weckman.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA TEAMS!

es in the country, and that’s getting their players to play.

“COVID was really hard on us last year and we’re still feeling it this year,” he said. “I just have my fingers crossed that it’s a normal season and we get to play and the seniors go out with a bang.”

The Bulldogs open their season at 7 p.m. today at home against Moscow.

Pixley may be contacted at tpixley@ lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

May it be an injury free season, but if you do get hurt, we are here for you.

FRIDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 10TH + LEWISTON ROUNDUP +

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — at McCall-Donnelly, 7 p.m.

9/10 — at Kellogg, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Marsing, 7 p.m.

9/30 — Lewiston JV, 7 p.m.

10/2 — at Priest River, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Grangeville, 7 p.m.

10/22 — St. Maries, 7 p.m.

Maniacs hope to be on the comeback trail Orofino, for first time under Bretz, will have solid core of upperclassmen

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he Orofino Maniacs are eager to return to action after a brief 2020 season that saw most of their games canceled in response to positive COVID-19 tests at the school.

Orofino, which managed to get in only three contests amid the pandemic, now is hoping to complete an eight-game schedule that begins with a nonleague away game at 7 p.m.

Drobish today against McCall-Donnelly. The Maniacs remain out of conference for their next four contests — including road games at Kellogg, Scott Marsing and Priest River before a home date with Bonners Ferry — before finally facing Central Idaho League foes GranThomas geville and St. Maries in mid- to late October to cap off the regular season.

With “a strong core group of players who have been working hard this offseason”

Pete Caster/Tribune

Orofino defensive linemen and linebackers work on tackling drills during a practice this past week. The Maniacs open the season at 7 p.m. today at McCall-Donnelly. and seven seniors among his returning lettermen, coach Garret Bretz is looking forward to the benefits of mature varsity leadership.

The Maniacs’ biggest loss might be the graduation of Joe Sparano, who was a two-way player and earned All-CIL honors.

Returning senior standouts for Orofino include Slade Sneddon, who had 12 tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception and a pass deflection in the Maniacs’ lone win last year against Priest River, along with Reid Thomas, who added 11 tackles of his own plus an interception return touchdown against the Spartans.

Senior Emmitt Lilly and

junior Joel Scott will patrol the defensive back.

The offensive line should be strong this season, led by senior center Nick Graham.

Senior Gabe Burke also will be a force on the line, while senior Caleb Johnson should get time on the two lines as well as possibly seeing some time in the backfield.

Junior Nick Drobish will be under center, while Sneddon and Lilly should be likely targets, along with senior tight end Bryer Jenks.

For the first time in his three seasons, Bretz is not completely handcuffed with underclassmen unfamiliar with the bright lights of varsity action. However, there is a downside. “(Our) weakness is we

only played three games last season, so we missed out on valuable game experience,” Bretz said. “We will need to learn quickly and make up for lost time.”

> Orofino COACH — Garret Bretz (fourth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 0-2 in Central Idaho League, 1-2 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Reid Thomas, sr., FB/ LB; Slade Sneddon, sr., R/LB; Nick Graham, sr., OL/DL; Caleb Johnson, sr., FB/OL/DL; Gabe Burke, sr., OL/LB; Bryer Jenks, sr., TE/DL; Emmett Lilly, sr., R/ DB; Joel Scott, jr., RB/DB; Nick Drobish, jr., QB/LB; Cory Godwin, jr., RB/LB.

> 5 things to watch The development of fullback/linebacker Reid Thomas, who played as a freshman, but had a knee injury as a sophomore, and only played three games last year.

Running back/defensive back Joel Scott, who “showed a lot of promise” last year.

The leadership of linebacker Slade Sneddon, who was the Maniacs’ top tackler last season.

Center Nick Graham, who will “anchor an offensive line that should show a lot of improvement.”

Junior Nick Drobish, who will be starting at quarterback for the first time.

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SCHEDULE 8/28 — vs. Raft River, 3 p.m.* 9/10 — at Prairie, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Genesee, 6:30 p.m.

9/25 — at Logos, 3 p.m.

10/1 — at Lapwai, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Potlatch, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Troy, 7 p.m.

10/22 — Kamiah, 7 p.m. * — 8-Man Classic in Middleton

Rams see big things in the future Clearwater Valley hopes to continue its upward trajectory

By EVAN WIEDERSPOHN SPORTS STAFF

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he Clearwater Valley High School football team is rich in returning talent as it tries to prove itself as one of the better programs in the top-heavy Class 1A Division I Whitepine League.

The Rams are welcoming back 12 letterwinners.

“I’ve got pretty much my whole (group) back,” second-year coach Allen Hutchens said. “These guys are athletes, they’re big, and they’re buying into everything we’re doing.”

The Rams went 5-4 in 2020 and were a force in the league, going 4-2. Clearwater Valley finished the season with a state postseason appearance, losing to Grace 58-42 in the first round. It was the third consecutive season the Rams have made the postseason after a 24-year drought.

Dylan Pickering, a 6-foot1 senior linebacker and running back, was one of the leaders of the group last season. He garnered a first-team all-state selection at linebacker last season after having a hand in eight turnovers. He had four interceptions, caused a pair of fumbles and recovered two others.

Hutchens said he has high hopes for another defensive standout in senior Ridge Shown, who earned a first-team All-WPL nod and second-team All-State mention as a defensive back. He will be tasked with stabilizing the back.

Also defensively, return-

Pete Caster/Tribune

Clearwater Valley players make contact during a tackling drill at practice this past week in Kooskia. ees include senior nose guard Laton Schlieper and junior end Isaac Goodwin.

Hutchens, who is the athletic director and also was a player on the previous team that made the postseason before the long dry spell, also plans to use freshman Tiago Pickering, Dylan’s younger brother, as a middle linebacker, and give him some action offensively at tailback.

“I think the Whitepine League is probably one of the toughest if not the toughest 8-man leagues in the state,” Hutchens said.

“We’re gonna be right there. ... (And) when you play in this league, you can never take a Friday night off.”

On offense, junior Anthony Fabbi returns as the quarterback for a full season.

Junior Anthony Carter will get the bulk of the carries.

Hutchens hopes the team is a bit more balanced this season, and Fabbi will have Shown and senior Nakiyah Anderson to throw the ball to.

Clearwater Valley opens

the season at 3 p.m. Saturday playing Raft River in the 8-Man Classic in Middleton.

Wiederspohn may be contacted at sports@lmtribune.com, (208) 848-2268 or on Twitter@EvannnW.

> 5 things to watch Senior Dylan Pickering might be one of the top 10 players in the state. He’s all around the field on defense.

Hutchens thinks Ridge Shown, a senior who was a first-team All-Whitepine League pick at defensive back in 2020, could be the team’s best defender by the end of the season.

Filling out one of the other linebacker spots is Bass Myers, a sophomore whom Hutchens called an old-school type player.

Junior lineman Isaac Goodwin’s hard work has paid off. He’ll be counted on to be one of the anchors on the offensive and defensive lines.

Critical to the Rams’ success, and another playoff berth, will be the two lines. Depth is no issue here. Hutchens thinks if the linemen continue on their path, they’ll be a force.

> Clearwater Valley COACH — Allen Hutchens (second year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 4-2 in Whitepine League Division I 5-4 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Dylan Pickering, sr., LB/ RB; Ridge Shown, sr., WR/DB; Kyler Schroeder, sr., G; Dallas Lindsley, sr., WR/DB; Nakiyah Anderson, sr., WR/DB; Laton Schlieper, sr., NG/G; Keegan Robeson, jr., RB/DB; Isaac Goodwin, jr., G/DE; Anthony Fabbi, jr., QB/DB; Anthony Carter, jr., RB/DE; Austin Curtis, jr., C; Bass Myers, So., RB/NG.

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — Logos, 7 p.m.

9/10 — Potlatch, 7 p.m.

9/17 — at Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Lapwai, 7 p.m.

10/1 — at Troy, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Kamiah, 7 p.m.

10/15 — Prairie, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at Kendrick, 7 p.m.

New coach, familiar face with the Bulldogs

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Genesee’s Jack Johnson, right, attempts to strip the ball from teammate Kole Riebold at Wednesday’s practice. The Bulldogs open the season at 7 p.m.

Sept. 3 at home against Logos.

Podrabsky takes helm at Genesee in Year 2 of co-op with Colton

By STEPHAN WIEBE SPORTS STAFF

G Podrabsky

ENESEE — Genesee’s new football coach isn’t exactly a new face around campus.

Justin Podrabsky already has coached most of his Bulldogs either as the head junior varsity and varsity assistant basketball

coach the past three years or as a baseball assistant the past two.

“I would say at least 90 percent of the kids I’ve coached previously at least in one season or another,” Podrabsky said.

The former Lewiston Bengal and Idaho Vandal tight end takes over for Alex Schnebly after four seasons as an assistant on Lewiston

> Genesee COACH — Justin Podrabsky (first year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 2-2 Whitepine League Division I, 4-2 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Cy Wareham, sr., WR/DB; Jack Johnson, sr., WR/DB; Jackson Zenner, sr., TE/DL; Jacob Krick, sr., OL/ DL; Jaxon Moehrle, sr., OL/DL; Kole Riebold, sr., RB/LB; Angus Jordan, jr., QB/DB; Wyatt Jordan, jr., RB/LB; Grant Wolf, jr., RB/LB; Nolan Bartosz, jr., WR/DB; Teak Wareham, soph., RB/LB; Joe Johnson, soph., OL/DL

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Genesee coach Justin Podrabsky, center, watches as quarterbacks Angus Jordan, left, and Teak Wareham work on pitching the ball back and forth to each other at Wednesday’s practice.

Zach Wilkinson/ Daily News

coach Matt Pancheri’s staff.

He expects to use elements from Pancheri’s “GoGo” offense with the Bulldogs.

“Offensively, we’re going to be a team that (has) a lot of speed and a lot of quality skill kids to try to get their hands on the ball,” Podrabsky said, “so we’re just going to try to spread it out with them and utilize all our variety of options.”

Podrabsky takes charge during the second year of Genesee’s overthe-border co-op with Colton. Six Wildcat players join this year’s Bulldogs and all are expected to contribute, Podrabsky said.

Two of Genesee’s most explosive players are its pair of starting senior receivers — Cy Wareham and Jack Johnson.

“I don’t know if you’re going to find a better athlete in our area,” Podrabsky said of Wareham. “...

Three-sport guy, and he can do a lot of great things for you on offense and on defense.”

Johnson is another multi-sport star who Podrabsky said already has offers to play baseball at the next level. The two helped Genesee win the Idaho Class 1A state baseball championship in the spring.

Throwing to the duo for the

WELCOME BACK, NICK BATES! After nearly 20 years out on the east coast, Nick is back home in Washington and ready to join his father working with Bob Bates Insurance on a full-time basis. Nick is excited to be back under the Friday night lights as a spectator!

GO BULLDOGS! Cell: 704-564-5092 Email: BatesLife@gmail.com

second consecutive season will be junior quarterback Angus Jordan. Wyatt Jordan, Angus’ brother, will start at running back.

Genesee was well on its way to a playoff berth with a 4-2 record in 2020 before its season was axed because of COVID-19 cases within the program.

Podrabsky said the team is focusing on enjoying the moment this year and not trying to get hung up on “what ifs.”

“I think they were really disappointed because of how far they had progressed, ’cause I think the year before that they had won only one game the whole season,” Podrabsky said of last season’s unfortunate ending.

“One thing we’ve kinda stressed is

HAVE A GREAT SEASON BULLDOGS! Youre ’ going to love what happens next!

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being in the moment, being present in what you’re doing because you want to take advantage of every opportunity you have because you never know when it can be taken away.”

> 5 things to watch The Bulldogs must get accustomed to their third head coach in as many seasons, which means learning a new offense and defense again. Look for Genesee to get better as the season progresses and the players get more time with their new bench boss.

Genesee and Colton are joining forces for the second consecutive season. All six Wildcats are expected to be key contributors.

Cy Wareham is one of the Whitepine League’s most dynamic athletes, not just in football but in baseball and basketball too. The Bulldogs will try to find unique ways to get the ball in his hands.

Genesee has two sets of brothers who are expected to make a splash this season: Cy and Teak Wareham, and Angus and Wyatt Jordan. Expect to hear the names “Wareham” and “Jordan” often on the loudspeakers.

Last year’s season was cut short because of COVID-19 cases within the program. With much of the team returning, this season marks a new chance to try to get to the postseason.

HAVE A GREAT SEASON VIKINGS! Youre ’ going to love what happens next!

SAM DIAL J

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255 E MAIN SUITE 101, PULLMAN (509) 334-DIAL (3425) WWW.SAMDIALJEWELERS.COM

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9 months’ worth of motivation Powerhouse Prairie is trying to forget how its 2020 season ended. But not completely

By DALE GRUMMERT

T

SPORTS STAFF

he ball sat tantalizingly close to the goal line — maybe 6 or 8 inches away — and Prairie High School fullback TJ Hibbard saw his task as straightforward.

He would take the handoff from the quarterback and, with little ado, follow his reliable blockers into the end zone. They would celebrate a hard-fought victory and, the next day, begin preparing for the state championship.

But that’s not how things went down.

Instead, the ball was snapped and Hibbard watched helplessly as it tumbled to the turf, the result of a miscommunication on the snap count. After a brief scrum, an opposing player recovered the fumble in the end zone, and that was that. The Prairie Pirates’ season was done.

“It just broke everybody’s heart,” Hibbard said.

He was recalling the Pirates’ unforgettable 42-40 loss to Oakley in an 8-man football game Nov. 13 in the Kibbie Dome at Moscow.

It was one of two semifinal-round contests in the Idaho Class 1A Division I playoffs, and it ruined not only the Pirates’ title hopes but their undefeated season.

Nine months later, though, the agonizing nature of that loss now feeds Prairie’s motivation as it prepares for its 2021 season, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday against Glenns Ferry in the 8-Man Classic at Middleton High School in southern Idaho.

Prairie of Cottonwood and

longtime coach Ryan Hasselstrom have come to dominate the normally competitive Whitepine League Division I, claiming four state championships in 13 years. The most recent Idaho crown came in 2019, and the Pirates entered that game against the Hornets fully expecting to repeat. After all, they’d won all seven of their games to that point by a staggering average margin of 50 points.

But their season had been physically taxing — not only because of the coronavirus pandemic — and they knew their challenges would steepen against an Oakley team that had become an intense rival in recent years.

Among the several injuries the Pirates had suffered was a season-ending ACL tear in the season opener against Kendrick to star running back Cole Martin. Receiver and tight end John Gehring went down with a knee injury against Kamiah in the fourth game.

Then, in the first quarter of the Oakley game, standout lineman Dean Johnson — who would follow Martin as state player of the year in their division — dislocated an ankle and was whisked to a hospital. For the rest of the night, the Pirates tried to keep him informed of the game’s twists and turns.

There were many of them, especially in the fourth quarter. Hibbard scored from 47 yards to put Prairie ahead 40-36, but Dace Jones of Oakley returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards to grab the lead back.

The Pirates then went into clock-draining mode, retaining possession for almost eight minutes to make sure their final touchdown — if

Pete Caster/Tribune

Prairie fullback TJ Hibbard, right, runs up the field for a long touchdown at an Aug. 19 practice in Cottonwood.

TOP: Prairie players walk across the field at the end of an Aug. 19 practice. The Pirates have spent nine months wondering what could have been. Now, they get the chance to put all of that hard work and frustration behind them as they seek a chance at the program’s fifth title since 2008. LEFT: Former Prairie running back Cole Martin, right, embraces quarterback Cole Schlader after an Idaho Class 1A Division I state semifinal loss Nov. 3, 2020, against Oakley at the Kibble Dome in Moscow. CENTER: Oakley’s Isaac Mitton, left, dives in from the side and recovers a fumble with less than 30 seconds remaining in last season’s Idaho Class 1A Division I state semifinal game.

Photos by Pete Caster and August Frank/Tribune

it happened — would be the last word of this donnybrook.

Senior quarterback Cole Schlader converted a keeper on fourth-and-4 and the Pirates eventually faced third-and-goal from that 6- or 8-inch line. There were about 30 seconds on the clock and the Pirates had a timeout remaining.

Prairie tailback Brody Hasselstrom, son of the coach, motioned right and caused a slight shift in the Oakley defense. Schlader glanced over at him to sell the play, and that’s when it happened.

Because of the snap-count confusion, the ball struck Schlader before he was ready, then dribbled to the ground.

Let the heartaches begin.

The loss was especially tough for diligent, influential seniors like Schlader, Martin and Johnson, and their coach found himself playing school counselor that night and beyond.

“Those seniors — you’ve got a lot of tears,” recalled the elder Hasselstrom, who’s entering his 16th season as head coach. “They were upset — physically, mentally. It was hard on them. You reassure them and let them know you love them. For some reason, it wasn’t meant to be.

“But the kids had stepped up in that game. They played their guts out. You can talk to a lot of people and, even though it didn’t go our way, it’s probably one of the best 8-man football games that’s been played around here in a long time.”

Because Oakley went on to win the championship by a 30-point margin the next week, the Pirates can’t help but wonder what might have been.

“Those seniors — you’ve got a lot of tears.

They were upset — physically, mentally. It was hard on them.”

PRAIRIE COACH RYAN HASSELSTROM They try not to dwell on the painful ending. But they say it was in the back of their minds as they began preparing for 2021, starting with their annual June visit to an 8-man football camp in Butte, Mont., that Ryan Hasselstrom and his teams (he formerly coached at Kendrick) have attended for more than 25 years.

That sort of thing is how Prairie became Prairie.

Now, there’s a new batch of influential seniors. They include the fast and multifaceted Hibbard, who’s within weeks of securing a pilot’s license. They also include the younger Hasselstrom, who’s drawing interest from college recruiters, and new starting quarterback Lane Schumacher.

They all share a particular memory.

“We definitely ended the year off rough,” Hibbard said. “We knew we had the potential to win State. Injuries overcame a lot of our players, and people who didn’t think they were going to be playing had to step up to the plate. We had to go for it.

“And it was definitely a letdown,” he said of the semifinal loss. “But that’s motivation for us to keep going — make it to the state championship and hopefully win.”

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — Timberline, 7 p.m.

9/10 — at Logos, 7 p.m.

9/17 — at Lapwai, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Troy, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Prairie, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at Genesee, 7 p.m.

10/15 — Potlatch, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

Kubs crave playoffs return after taste last year Kamiah hopes to build on solid 2020 season

By STEPHAN WIEBE SPORTS STAFF

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AMIAH — Coming off a second-place finish in the Whitepine League Division I standings and a win in the first round of the Idaho Class 1A DI state playoffs, Kamiah is hungry for more.

The Kubs return the bulk of their 2020 team that went 7-3 overall.

“We feel good with where we’re at right now,” fifth-year coach Wheeler Nels Kludt said. “The team’s coming off a pretty good season and the core of our guys are back this year.

“We feel Williamson like practice is going pretty well so far, developing good chemistry.”

Kludt said the team’s biggest strength could lie on the offensive and defensive lines, where the Kubs are deep and return players like senior Cloud Guffey, junior Everett Skinner and sophomore Porter Whipple. Skinner started both ways last year and Whipple was an all-conference second-teamer.

“We have experienced kids all the way up and down on both sides,” Kludt said, “so that’s a luxury to have.”

Former receiver Kendrick Wheeler has the wheels to rack up rushing yards at quarterback. The senior has a trusty target in tight end Kolby Hix — an all-conference first-teamer on both sides of the ball who

Pete Caster/Tribune

Kamiah players go through conditioning drills during a practice this past week. The Kubs open the season at home Sept. 3 against Timberline.

> Kamiah COACH — Nels Kludt (fifth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 6-2 in Whitepine League Division I, 7-3 overall KEY RETURNERS — Kolby Hix, sr., TE/DL; Kendrick Wheeler, sr., QB/DB; Willis Willamson, sr., RB/DB; Cloud Guffey, sr., OL/LB; Brady Cox, jr., WR/DB; Everett Skinner, jr., OL/DL; Colton Sams, jr., RB/LB WR/DB; Porter Whipple, so., OL/DL. should help ease Wheeler’s transition from wideout.

“Obviously a big-time player for us,” Kludt said of Hix. “Big, strong kid. Looking for a lot from him.”

In a deep and tough league like the WPL, success isn’t

always guaranteed. Experience often reigns supreme, and the Kubs own plenty.

Kamiah didn’t lose often last season but two of its three defeats were poundings by Prairie (72-6) and in the playoffs against Raft River (76-14), which Kludt said were humbling.

But the team has tasted success and is itching for another chance to prove itself on the big stage again.

“Getting to the playoffs was a big deal for them and they have a hunger for more,” Kludt said. “Champing at the bit to prove that last year was what it was and maybe get some more.”

Wiebe may be contacted at (208) 848-2260, swiebe@lmtribune.com or on Twitter @StephanSports.

> 5 things to watch With just three departed seniors, the Kubs return the bulk of their Whitepine League Division I second-place team from a year ago. Team chemistry could be a strength for this experienced group.

Kamiah’s big rivalry game against Clearwater Valley on Oct. 22 is the final game on the docket for both teams. Both teams will be building toward the season’s grand finale, which could have playoff implications.

Coach Nels Kludt noticed last year that his team was sometimes too “up” for strong opponents and at times might have overlooked weaker teams when a big game was on the horizon.

Going into this year, he’s stressing a more even-keeled approach with every game, “no matter if it’s a team with a good record or a team with a bad record.”

Linemen like senior Cloud Guffey, junior Everett Skinner and sophomore Porter Whipple help anchor an offensive line that could be the team’s most-feared group.

Converted receiver Kendrick Wheeler might take some time to settle into his new role of starting quarterback, but he has the speed and athleticism to make an impact under center right away.

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SCHEDULE 8/28 — vs. Oakley, 10 a.m.* 9/10 — Troy, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Kamiah, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Genesee, 7 p.m.

10/16 — at Logos, 6 p.m.

10/1 — Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m. 10/22 — at Potlatch, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at Prairie, 7 p.m. * — 8-Man Classic in Middleton

Wildcats looking to take huge leap forward With solid group of upperclassmen, Lapwai hopes to take the next step

By TREVAN PIXLEY SPORTS STAFF

T

he Lapwai Wildcats are returning most of their starters from a year ago and coach Josh Leighton is projecting a big step forward for his team in 2021.

“These guys are growing and getting better every day,” Leighton said. “We had a rough season last year; with another year under their belt the progression should come naturally.”

Despite having a losing record in 2020, the Wildcats still were able to reach the playoffs thanks to Idaho using the MaxPreps RPI ranking system.

Offensively, Lapwai Taylor runs a spread offense and will be relying on its speed on the boundary to control the tempo of the game.

Leading the way will be senior receiver Titus Yearout, who showed glimpses last season of greatness. A standout on the basketball court who has been an all-state performer the past two seasons and already has garnered an offer from the University of Idaho in that sport, Yearout has the ability to extend defenses with his speed on the outside.

Sophomore Mason Brown will be a good complement to Yearout, and senior Arreis Bisbee will give the running game a jump-start.

The offensive line is as solid as they come, with seniors Armani Bisbee, Chris Brown and Kayden Comer-Penney providing a formidable

Pete Caster/Tribune

Lapwai’s Titus Yearout runs during team drills during a practice this past week.

> 5 things to watch

> Lapwai

How well the Wildcats perform in the spread offense Within the spread, can Lapwai hit a high percentage of its passes, and how many yards can the receivers get after the catch.

Lapwai is one of the speediest teams in the area.

Senior leadership seemingly will be critical. They’ve got it along the offensive line, so that should be a benefit This team showed glimpses of coming togther last year.

Week-by-week improvement this year will be important. If they can pull that off, a postseason berth is not out of the question.

COACH — Josh Leighton (fourth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 2-3 in Whitepine League Division I, 2-4 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Armani Bisbee, sr., OL; Arreis Bisbee, sr., RB; Chris Brown, sr., OL; Mason Brown, soph., WR; Kayden Comer-Penney, sr., OL; Sage Lonebear, soph., DL; Thomas Shawl, jr., OL; Kross Taylor, sr., WR; Ahlius Yearout, soph., RB; Titus Yearout, sr., QB.

wall. Junior Thomas Shawl also will be on the line.

Defensively, Leighton emphasized the importance of stopping the run, something the Wildcats struggled with last year.

“On offense I know we can move the ball, but stopping the run on defense has been the biggest focus,” Leighton said. “We have to stop the run, that’s crucial.”

Sophomore Sage Lonebear

will be the anchor on the line.

Leighton also touched on

the competitive nature of Whitepine League Division I teams and how crucial winning those games will be to Lapwai’s playoff hopes.

“Top to bottom, the Whitepine is stacked this year,” he said. “Adding Logos to the mix will make it that much more difficult, it should be a really competitive year.”

Lapwai opens up its season at 10 a.m. Saturday against Oakley in the 8-Man Classic in Middleton.

Pixley may be contacted at tpixley@lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

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SCHEDULE 8/28 — Timberline, 2 p.m.

9/3 — at Genesee, 7 p.m.

9/10 — Kamiah, 7 p.m.

9/17 — at Prairie, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

10/1 — at Potlatch, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at Troy, 7 p.m.

10/16 — Lapwai, 6 p.m.

10/22 — at Lewis County, 7 p.m.

Building the foundation from ground up Logos will see fruit of its hard work unveiled this season

By TREVAN PIXLEY SPORTS STAFF

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ogos laid out the groundwork, got its hands dirty, and in 2021 will have a varsity football program for the first time in school history.

For two years, football had been inching its way into the life of the Moscow private school. After a successful trial run at the junior high level, the sport climbed to the junior varsity ranks and now is ready for the Holloway big time.

“The kids are very excited,” Logos coach Nick Holloway said. “It’s like when a kid gets a present for Christmas you can really see the Sumpter excitement in their eyes.”

With a new program comes growing pains, one of which is obvious — a lack of experience.

The seasoning level in Howard the Knights’ program ranges from kids who’ve played since third grade to those who never have played before.

“The experience has been kind of inverted, it’s been interesting,” Holloway said. “You’ll have a senior who’s never played before

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Logos running back George Evans makes a move to get past a defender at a practice this past week in Moscow. The Knights open the season at 2 p.m. Saturday against Timberline.

> Logos COACH — Nick Holloway (first year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 4-2 as a junior varsity team RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — None line up against a freshman and the freshman’s actually more technically sound.”

So it’s been difficult for the rookie coach to pinpoint exactly what’s working and who’s rising to the top during preseason camp.

“We have several athletes on the team who can run fast and jump high,” Hol-

loway said. “But until they fully grasp the nuances of the game it’s tough to tell how that athleticism will translate onto the field.”

Once the Knights grasp the nuances of the game, Holloway feels their athleticism will shine. He said balance has been one of their strong suits so far.

“Some coaches would say we have a great core of receivers or a stud quarterback and so on and so forth,” Holloway said. “I think we’re balanced everywhere on offense. I can’t necessarily point to one position and say that’s our strength.”

Logos previously has

offered only cross country and volleyball as a fall sport, but it’s clear the appetite for football was there amongst the student body.

The Knights had a turnout of about 30 players.

“We should have enough bodies to fill out a varsity and junior varsity schedule,” Holloway said. “We’re all just so excited and can’t wait to start the season.”

Logos opens the season at home at 2 p.m. Saturday against Timberline.

Pixley may be contacted at tpixley@lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

> 5 things to watch The surprise factor.

Opponents won’t know exactly what to expect from the Knights.

Logos will be playing at a new field that will be next to the south campus elementary school.

Holloway thinks the Knights will be good in communicating with each other when things get hairy Who are the stars? No one knows yet.

According to Holloway, the players are grateful to be a part of school history.

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — Troy, 7 p.m.

9/10 — at Genesee, 7 p.m.

9/17 — at Deary, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Prairie, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Kamiah, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Logos, 7 p.m.

10/22 — Lapwai, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

Loggers see promise on the horizon

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Potlatch linebacker Robbie Harrington-Lambert attempts to strip the ball from running back Waylan Marshall during a practice this past week. The Loggers open the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at home against Troy.

After tough season, Potlatch should be much improved

By EVAN WIEDERSPOHN SPORTS STAFF

A Ball

fter a tough 2020 season, the Potlatch High School football team has more experience coming back than it’s had in the past.

The Loggers finished 1-6 last year, had new faces at

most of the positions, and went through some growing pains as a result. This year, Potlatch has 15 of its 16 starters back in the mix.

“We’re much improved from last year in experience level,” fourth-year coach Ryan Ball said. “The key will be to get them to be more confident

in what they’re supposed to be doing on the field.”

The record from a year ago is a bit of a misnomer. The Loggers were competitive early on, losing their season opener at Troy 50-44, then dropping a heartbreaker

> Potlatch

COACH — Ryan Ball (fourth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 1-5 in Whitepine League Division I, 1-6 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Tyler Howard, sr., RB/LB; Tyson Tucker, sr., QB/DB; Izack McNeal, sr., TE/LB; Odin McDonald, sr., NG/OG; Logan Whitney, sr., NG/C; Brock Weller, sr., DE; Logan Amos, jr., OG/DE; > See POTLATCH, Page 26 Wyatt Johnson, jr., TE/DB; Avery Palmer, jr., RB/DB.

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shown signs of improvement.

And returning seven of eight starters certainly helps. The Loggers allowed 48 or more points > Continued from PAGE 25 in the first four games in 2020, so getting that learning experience is going to help them this year be18-16 to Clearwater Valley, a come a more formidable unit.

Class 1A Division I state playBall said the lack of depth at off team last season.

Potlatch definitely got better as the the skill positions could be a concampaign progressed. cern as the season moves along, Proof of that was in and a major factor for success in that close loss to the the win-loss column will be the Rams, then the Logteam’s ability to limit big plays. gers bounced back “We’ll need to focus on imthe next week and slipped past Kamiah, proving defensively and on special teams,” Ball said. “Big plays another team that hurt us a lot last year, so we have earned a postseason berth, 30-28 at home.

With most of their Tucker core players back, the Loggers will continue to roll with the offensive leaders in running back Tyler Howard, tight end Izack McNeal and quarterback Tyson Tucker. Howard gained almost 1,000 yards rushing, and Youre ’ going to love what happens next! will have help of a McNeal more experienced offensive line, led J E W E L E R S by seniors Odin McDonald, Logan Whitney and junior Logan Amos.

255 E MAIN SUITE 101, PULLMAN The three main offensive cogs (509) 334-DIAL (3425) also will be relied upon defenWWW.SAMDIALJEWELERS.COM sively. Ball said the trio have

POTLATCH

> 5 things to watch This clearly will be a more mature team this season. Ball will have the services of his main weapons on offense.

8-man football is reliant on depth. The Loggers have 15 of 16 returning starters. After that, it tails off at some positions. Getting back-up players reps will help to build that depth.

The schedule is favorable early, with three of their first five games at home before a tough October stretch that sees Potlatch go to Clearwater Valley and Kamiah before the home finale against Lapwai.

The big three of seniors Tyler Howard, Tyson Tucker and Izack McNeal are going to be what makes this team go, on both sides of the ball.

Can they find the magic of late 2019 and make a run to a postseason berth? to be better and more consistent with our defensive plays.”

Potlatch opens the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at home against Troy.

HAVE A GREAT SEASON LOGGERS! SAM DIAL

GO POTLATCH

LOGGERS! 2910 Clyde Rd. Moscow ID (208) 596-7757 email: uhrinc@hotmail.com ID Contractor #010880 WA contractor # UNLIMHR896PK

Wiederspohn may be contacted at sports@lmtribune.com, (208) 8482268 or on Twitter @EvannnW.

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SCHEDULE 8/28 — vs. Glenns Ferry, 5:30 p.m.* 9/24 — at Potlatch, 7 p.m.

9/10 — Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

10/1 — at Kamiah, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Logos, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Lapwai, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Genesee, 7 p.m.

10/22 — Troy, 7 p.m. * — 8-Man Classic in Middleton

Pirates look to keep the fire going Powerhouse Prairie loses size but might be swifter than last year

By DALE GRUMMERT SPORTS STAFF

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hey might be a bit smaller in frame and stature this year, and they’ve got a new quarterback.

Until proven otherwise, though, the Prairie Pirates of Cottonwood must be considered the favorites in Whitepine League Division I football.

For one thing, they defeated every conference opponent by at least 30 points last year. For another, they’ve captured four state titles since 2008.

On top of that, 16th-year coach Ryan Hasselstrom thinks the Pirates have “got better overall team speed than we’ve had.”

“We’re lacking a little bit in size — we don’t have the Dean Johnsons, those kinds of kids,” he said, referring to the stout Prairie lineman who wrapped up his high school career last year. “I like the group we have. This group of seniors has played together for a long time.”

The seniors include last year’s terrific 1-2 rushing punch of Brody Hasselstrom and TJ Hibbard, plus the new starting quarterback, Lane Schumacher (pronounced “Shoemaker”).

The Pirates drew a turnout of 27 after going 7-1 in a pandemic-shortened season, advancing to the semifinal round of the Idaho Class 1A Division I playoffs. Seven of those players lettered last year.

The returners include senior receiver Wyatt Ross, who accrued some playing time last year partly

Pete Caster/Tribune

Prairie running back Brody Hasselstrom stiff-arms a defender as he runs through the defense during a practice this past week in Cottonwood.

> Prairie

> 5 things to watch The Pirates have a new No. 1 quarterback, senior Lane Schumacher, taking over for his cousin, two-year starter Cole Schlader.

A year ago, Brody Hasselstrom began as Prairie’s No. 2 rush option before an injury elevated him to the top. This year, he’s starting out in that role.

At the 8-man level, even a premier team like Prairie needs to stay healthy, as the Pirates learned in 2020.

At the moment, the numbers are good. The Pirates welcomed a turnout of 27, including nine freshmen.

Yes, the Pirates score a lot of points. But their defense often is what separates them from lesser programs. because of the Pirates’ rash of injuries in 2020.

There’s also plenty of experience on the line, whose returners include seniors Jesse Cronan and Chase Kaschmitter and junior Shane Hanson.

They’re a big reason why Prairie expects to continue its defensive excellence.

“The offense is usually what gets the attention, but our defense has been really good for the last six or seven years,”

COACH — Ryan Hasselstrom (16th year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 6-0 in Whitepine League Division I, 7-1 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Jesse Cronan, sr., OL/DL; Shane Hanson, jr., OL/DL; Brody Hasselstrom, sr., RB/LB; TJ Hibbard, sr., RB/LB; Chase Kaschmitter, sr., OL/DL; Wyatt Ross, sr., WR/DB; Lane Schumacher, sr., QB/DB. Ryan Hasselstrom said.

He expects closer games this season, for reasons unrelated to the Pirates’ play. He thinks some of their opponents are on the rise, especially Clearwater Valley, which accompanied

Prairie in its annual visit to a multi-team summer 8-man camp at Butte, Mont.

“It will be interesting,” he said of the WPL DI. “Everybody’s talking a little about CV. I think they’re going to be good — physical and athletic.”

But Prairie’s momentum is years in the making.

“It’s been a long road to get to this point,” coach Hasselstrom said. “There were a lot of ups and downs in the early 2000s. But it’s just kind of the mentality around here, at Prairie and Cottonwood.

Football is something the kids take pride in now.”

Grummert may be contacted at daleg@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2290.

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — Deary, 7 p.m.

9/3 — at Potlatch, 7 p.m.

9/10 — at Lapwai, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Kamiah, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Genesee, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Logos, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at Prairie, 7 p.m.

Trojans on the march with greater numbers

By CODY WENDT

Troy’s Eli Stoner throws the football to a teammate during a practice this past week. The Trojans open the season at 7 p.m. today against Deary.

SPORTS STAFF

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ith a roster of 27, Troy football is enjoying the largest turnout of coach Bobby Wilson’s tenure.

Entering his third year at the helm of the program, Wilson feels that the new infusion of talent and the fact he and the veteran athletes have built better familiarity portend improvement for the team, which went 1-7 last year. The Trojans open their season in a nonleague clash of neighboring towns as they play host to Deary at 7 p.m. today.

“Offensively, we’re going to be a different team than we have been in the past,” he said. “Our kids have developed. This is my third year with these seniors; we’re not just getting used to each other now. I think there’s a reason we got such a large turnout when obviously our season wasn’t perfect last year.”

One leader in the Trojans’ seven-man senior class is running back Elijah Phillis, who registered close to 300 total offensive yards and four touchdowns between running and receiving in their lone victory last year, a 52-44 triple-overtime epic against Potlatch.

“He’s been a great leader, and he’s worked hard for this to be a good season for him,” Wilson said of Phillis.

Troy has alternated between morning and evening practices and sometimes doubled up during the past two weeks of preseason preparation, with a slight interruption because of smoke-related poor air quality.

This will be the second consecutive season in which the team has begun its schedule facing the Mustangs. Last year’s meeting did not go well for Troy, which fell 74-28.

“It’s a fun rivalry,” Wilson said.

“I was really disappointed by the outcome last year, but it’s definitely a rivalry, so I think the people

Zach Wilkinson/ Daily News

in the area get excited for it.”

The rest of the Trojans’ schedule pits them against the usual lineup of Whitepine League Division I opposition, along with the first-year varsity team at Logos.

“I expect them to have a great year,” said Wilson, who noted that he will be fielding a JV team for the first time. “This has been a goal for the last two years, to get to have large participation. We’ve been looking for large numbers.”

Wendt may be contacted at cwendt@ lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

> 5 things to watch With the largest roster in Wilson’s tenure, the Trojans have an opportunity for a junior varsity team and more reps across their roster.

Seven seniors and 13 returning letterwinners overall make for an experienced core of leadership.

All-Whitepine League running back Elijah Phillis, who was a leader last year, is going to be “really good” this year, according to Wilson.

Quarterback Chandler Blazzard was the winner of a “pretty good camp battle” for the position. It’ll be interesting to see his progress as the season moves along.

Improved results. “I think this team has a real desire and with the numbers they have some goals that they want to accomplish this year,” Wilson said.

> Troy COACH — Bobby Wilson (third year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 1-5 in Whitepine League Division I, 1-7 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Elijah Phillis, sr., RB/DB; Chandler Blazzard, jr., QB/LB; Landon Buchannan, sr., TE/DL; Boden DeMeerleer, sr., OL/DL; Joshua Nelson, soph., HB/LB; Cole Hazeltine, soph., LB/OL; Levi McCully, jr., TE/DB; Dillon Abbott, soph., C/LB; Jarrod Sanderson, sr., DB/RB; Shawn Archibald, sr., TE/DL; Tristan Van Pelt, sr., HB/LB; Brody Patrick, sr., OL/DL; Rider Patrick, jr., HB/DB.

HAVE A GREAT SEASON TROJANS! Youre ’ going to love what happens next!

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — at Troy, 7 p.m.

9/3 — Lakeside, 7 p.m.

9/10 — at Pomeroy, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Potlatch, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Timberline, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Wallace , 7 p.m.

10/8 — at Lewis County, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Kendrick, 7 p.m.

Mustangs go through another overhaul > Deary

Olson is Deary’s fourth coach in 4 years, hopeful of kids buying in

COACH — TIm Olson (first year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 1-2 in Whitepine League Division II, 4-4 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Ricky Bradley, sr., FB/LB; Braedyn Stettler, Sr., OL/DL; Dale Fletcher, jr., RB/DB; Gus Rickert, jr., TE/DE.

By EVAN WIEDERSPOHN SPORTS STAFF

F

irst-year coach Tim Olson is hoping to tackle a successful rebuild for the Deary High School football team as it enters the new season.

Olson, who was an assistant at Kendrick for five years, is the fourth Mustangs coach in the past four years, and he’s looking to implement his system in overhauling a roster that saw seven seniors graduate, most of whom were starters, including former star running back Brayden Stapleton.

Deary finished 4-4 in 2020 and won’t have a wide selection of returning talent on the roster, but Olson is ready to get his players on board with the change.

“The biggest goal is getting everybody on the same page with the playbook and our schemes,” Olson said. “A lot of the guys coming back have had a different coach just about every year they’ve been here, so focusing on the little things and cleaning up errors early, that’s going to be really important.”

Olson expects a solid offensive line led by senior returner Braedyn Stettler and wants to shoot for a run-heavy offense headlined by junior Dale Fletcher, whom Olson expects to get a healthy chunk of the carries along with senior fullback Ricky Bradley.

At quarterback, Olson said it’s a three-horse battle between juniors Kalab Rickerd and Gus Rickert, as

Olson

Fletcher

Rickerd

well as sophomore Blaine Clark.

“We can control what we can control and we’ll definitely role with the punches this year,” Olson said.

“With a lot of new terminology and not a whole lot of numbers coming back, it’s going to be different from what they’ve had in the past.”

Olson definitely is looking forward to his chance to lead this team.

“I’m really excited about this new program,” he said. “This being my first year as a head coach, I am really pumped about the guys we have in the locker room. There are some big question marks about positions that need to be filled still, but overall I really like what we have going.”

Deary opens the season at 7 p.m. today at Troy.

Wiederspohn may be contacted at sports@lmtribune.com, (208) 8482268 or on Twitter @EvannnW.

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Deary’s Gus Rickert keeps his eyes on the ball as he prepares to make a catch during a practice this past week. The Mustangs open the season at 7 p.m. today at Troy.

> 5 things to watch Olson is the team’s fourth coach in four years. Continuity has been a problem with the program. Can the kids adapt quickly to another new system? It worked last year because of the amount of seniors. This year? That could be a different story.

Quarterback is the biggest position battle heading into the season. The three players — juniors Kalab Rickerd and Gus Rickert, along with sophomore Blaine Clark — each bring good qualities to the table.

Sure this team has some inexperience, but Olson said it won’t be an excuse. He has high expectations for the underclassmen.

Junior Dale Fletcher and senior Ricky Bradley will have to play big roles on each side of the ball. The two will get the bulk of the carries in the running game, and each return in the back seven on defense.

The Mustangs have to be less aggressive on the defensive end, because they were burned way too often for big plays. Olson said the team is going to dial it back a bit and he’ll put his players in a spot to be successful.

HAVE A GREAT SEASON MUSTANGS! Youre ’ going to love what happens next!

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SCHEDULE 8/28 — vs. Lighthouse Chr., 12:30 p.m.* 9/24 — Lewis County, 7 p.m.

9/3 — Kootenai, 7 p.m.

10/1 — at Lakeside, 7 p.m.

9/11 — at Oakley, 1 p.m.

10/8 — at Timberline, 7 p.m.

10/15 — Deary, 7 p.m.

10/22 — Genesee, 7 p.m. * — 8-Man Classic in Middleton

Hungry Tigers returning to the fray Kendrick looks to continue steady climb among state’s elite

By CODY WENDT SPORTS STAFF

C

oming off a string of successful seasons, Kendrick is “probably returning the most guys we ever returned in terms of starters,” coach Zane Hobart said.

Last year’s Tigers went unbeaten in Whitepine League Division II play and topped Watersprings of Idaho Falls 44-34 in a first-round Class 1A DII state playoff game before falling 40-14 in the semifinal round to Carey.

Koepp They finished their campaign with a 6-2 overall record. This year, Kendrick plays what looks to be a challenging debut at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the 8-Man Classic in Middleton against Lighthouse Christian of Twin Falls, an unfamilHewett iar nonleague foe and longtime Idaho Class 1A Division I standout.

Notable among Kendrick returners is sophomore quarterback Ty Koepp, who earned Whitepine League DII

August Frank/Tribune

Kendrick’s Jack Silflow, left, collides with Tommy Stamper and Troy Patterson, middle, during a practice this past week. The Tigers open the season at 12:30 p.m. Saturday against Lighthouse Christian at the 8-Man Classic.

MVP honors last year as a freshman.

“Looking for him to have a big year,” Hobart said. “Breakout even from what he did last year. He had a great year, but I feel like he’s just on the cusp of what he can accomplish.”

Hobart also cited the leadership and experience of senior

> 5 things to watch The Tigers lost three seniors from last year, two starters. “We are still young, but return a lot of starters and kids who gained lots of varsity experience last year,” Hobart said.

This is only the second time in Hobart’s nine years that more than 20 athletes have turned out .

Coming off a tremendous freshman season at quarterback, Ty Koepp is “a lot bigger and stronger than last season,” and Hobart and the rest of the players are “excited to see how he progresses.”

Kendrick has seven freshmen, including Sawyer Hewett, Carson Hogan, and Brock Boyer.

Having lost in three consecutive state semifinal games, “this group of guys is hungry and ready to see if we can break that trend this coming November,” Hobart said.

back Maison Anderson and the growth of junior tight end Jagger Hewett as key components of Kendrick’s formula for success.

The Tigers play the first of their four home games this season Sept.

3 against Kootenai. They have not been beaten in league play since

P R E P F O O T B A L L 2 0 2 1 / F R I D AY, A U G U S T 2 7, 2 0 2 1 Oct. 27, 2017, when Deary earned a 34-28 victory. It also was the Mustangs who gave them their toughest league contest last year, with Kendrick coming out on top 38-30. The teams will meet at Deary on Oct. 15.

“It’s always come down to us and Deary,” Hobart said. “That one’s circled. It’s a fun rivalry, with those towns being 12 miles apart. We get a great turnout for those teams, whether it’s at Kendrick or Deary.”

A bit of added interest will come from the fact that Hobart’s former assistant of the past seven seasons, Tim Olson, is the man in charge of the Mustangs this year.

“I think our biggest advantage is the returners we’re bringing back,” Hobart said. “Guys in the same posi-

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> Kendrick COACH — Zane Hobart (ninth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 3-0 in Whitepine League Division II, 6-2 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Maison Anderson, sr., RB/LB; Jack Silflow, jr., OL/DL; Jagger Hewett, jr., TE/DB; Tommy Stamper, jr., OL/DL; Ty Koepp, soph., QB/ LB; Hunter Taylor, soph., TE/DB; Wyatt Fitzmorris, soph., RB/LB. tion they were playing last year, that gained a year of experience and just get a little older this year. We’re just a little bit bigger this year, a little faster, a little bit stronger. We had a lot of guys working in the weight room in the offseason, so hopefully those changes are going to be a game-changer for us.”

HAVE A GREAT SEASON TIGERS! Youre ’ going to love what happens next!

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — at Lakeside, 6 p.m.

9/3 — at Tri-Valley, 5 p.m.

9/10 — at Council, 5 p.m.

9/17 — Salmon River, 4:30 p.m. 10/8 — Deary, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Kendrick, 7 p.m.

10/15 — at Timberline, 7 p.m.

9/28 — New Meadows, 4 p.m.

10/22 — Logos, 7 p.m.

Rise in numbers means rise in excitement Lewis County hopes the increase will lead to more wins on the field

By RANDY ISBELLE SPORTS STAFF

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here is a lot of uncertainty for sixth-year Lewis County coach Monty Moddrell when it comes to the upcoming football season. But with that uncertainty comes excitement.

Moddrell is expecting to dress 18 players, up from the 11 he had each of the past two seasons. One of the biggest improvements the expanded roster brings to the team, according to Moddrell, is the addition of a scout team.

“With so many new faces, our first obstacle to overcome will be learning about our strengths and weaknesses as individuals and collectively as a group,” Moddrell said.

Out of the 18 players for Lewis County, there are seven freshmen, a sophomore that hasn’t played since junior high, a junior transfer from Eagle, Idaho, and senior Ryen Zenner, who missed all of his junior season after suffering a serious knee injury as a sophomore.

Junior Ty Hambly will be under center, and Moddrell hopes his shiftiness will be tough for

> Lewis County COACH — Monty Moddrell (sixth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 0-3 in Whitepine League Division II, 2-6 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Ryen Zenner, sr., WR/CB; Ty Hambly, jr., QB/LB; Wyatt Webb, jr., RB/LB; Gage Crow, soph., FB/LB; Jasper McCorkle, jr., C/DL; Nic Kirkland, soph., OL/DL; Noah Watson, soph., WR/CB; Saiban Palmer, sr., DL/OL. defenses to bring down.

“Hambly’s mobility got us out of a lot of jams last season,” the coach said.

However, it is not just Hambly’s mobility that the Eagles hope to use to their advantage.

A large improvement offensively that Moddrell would like to make this season is having a more balanced offensive attack.

“To be competitive in this league, you must be able to throw the ball successfully with consistency,” he said.

A balanced attack should allow Gage Crow, who is making the move from left guard to fullback this season, to have more space to run through when the running game is implemented.

The defense sees major changes as well, but Hambly, a first-team All-Whitepine League Division II linebacker in 2020, will be the centerpiece of the 3-3 formation. Webb moved from corner to linebacker in

Pete Caster/Tribune

Lewis County players work on tackling and blocking during a drill at a practice this past week in Nezperce.

> 5 things to watch Senior Ryen Zenner is back after taking his junior year off to recover from a serious knee injury in his sophomore season.

Utilizing Ty Hambly’s arm and mobility on offense to create gaps in the defense will be key.

Wyatt Webb has progressed nicely in the offseason and will use his speed out of the backfield.

There are some holes to fill up front as they look to improve on last year’s record. There are plenty of freshmen and newcomers to choose from.

Crow’s move from the offensive line gives the Eagles a bowling ball in the backfield to help Webb and Hambly. the spring, and Moddrell said he has made the transition “very smoothly.”

Moddrell admits that trust has been a big focal point on the defensive side of the ball.

“We had too many blown assignments and guys playing outside of their respective assignment last season.” he said.

The defensive line has some holes to be filled, particularly at defensive

end. Moddrell hopes to fill those holes with freshman Trevor Knowlton, who “showed some good things this spring,” and TJ Fetters, the transfer from Eagle High School Lewis County will open its season at 6 p.m. today when it head to Lakeside to take on the Knights.

Isbelle may be contacted at risbelle@ lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

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SCHEDULE 8/28 — at Logos, 2 p.m.

9/3 — at Kamiah, 7 p.m.

9/10 — at Salmon River, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Council, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Deary, 7 p.m.

9/30 — Prairie JV, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Kendrick, 7 p.m.

10/15 — Lewis County, 7 p.m.

Spartans want to prove naysayers wrong In spite of small roster, Timberline thinks it has talent to make return postseason trip

By RANDY ISBELLE SPORTS STAFF

S

peed and surprises. That is what Timberline coach Pat Christopherson is expecting to see on the field this season for the Spartans.

Timberline hopes to use that speed to continue building off a season that saw the Spartans make the postseason for the first time in more than 20 years.

The road will not be an easy one, as they did lose two key pieces of that postseason team. Quarterback Ryan Larson and running back/ linebacker Chase Hunter graduated and leave difficult holes to fill. Christopherson thinks not only will they be able to fill those holes, with their 13-player roster, they will be able to succeed.

Christopherson thinks they have a solid core of at least 10 players who have fully bought into the team atmosphere this season.

“This has been easily the most coachable team,” he said. “I have been in the coaching game since 2011 and this team has the best overall attitude I have coached.”

That mentality, along with pure quickness that the Spartans offer this season, could shock some doubters who think this team might finish last in the conference.

“I want them to doubt us,” Christopherson said.

Out of those on roster, Christopherson thinks he might have found a diamond in the rough.

“We have a new kid, Jason (Mohl), who did not play last season who we are really excited to see play,” he said. “And if you ask him, he will tell you that all he

Pete Caster/Tribune

Timberline defensive lineman Jaron Christopherson, center, swipes through a block attempt as he makes his way to coach Pat Christopherson during pass rushing drills at a practice this past week in Weippe.

> Timberline COACH — Pat Christopherson (fourth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 2-1 in Whitepine League Division II, 3-4 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Jaron Christopherson, sr., OL/DL; Micha Nelson, sr., WR/ DB; Parker Brown, jr., QB/DB; Logan Hunter, jr., OL/DE; Rylan West, soph., RB/DE; Gavin Christopherson, soph., OL/LB. has done is play video games for the last three years.”

However, the coach was stunned by his natural ability and hopes he might be able to be that missing piece in finding a way to finally defeat Kendrick.

On offense, two-thirds

> 5 things to watch Coming off first state playoff appearance since 2000.

The Spartans lost several key players from last season, but there are plenty who are motivated to fill in the gaps.

The team had an outstanding summer turnout.

Christopherson thinks this team is better than last season.

The Spartans seem to be built on speed. of the startling line is back with senior Jaron Christopherson and junior Logan Hunter. Senior Parker Brown returns under center, and sophomore running back Rylan West and senior Micha Nelson are among the skill players coming back.

Those five anchor a defense that allowed 30 or fewer points three times in a season that saw the Spartans make it to the state playoffs for the

first time since 2000, when they were a Class A-3 team.

Timberline will open its season at 2 p.m. Saturday in Moscow as the first opponent for new varsity program Logos. Its first home game will not be until Sept. 17 against Council.

Isbelle may be contacted at risbelle@lmtribune. com, or (208) 848-2268.

-Debbie

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SCHEDULE 8/27 — Wilder, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Garden Valley, 7 p.m.

9/10 — Timberline, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Horseshoe Bend, 7 p.m.

9/17 — at Lewis County, 4:30 p.m. 10/15 — Council, 7 p.m.

10/22 — Tri-Valley, 7 p.m.

For Savages, less has to be more Salmon River enters the season with only 12 players

By DALE GRUMMERT SPORTS STAFF

The Salmon River Savages aren’t necessarily lamenting the shallowness of their football roster, which is only 12 names long.

Hey, that’s four more than they finished the 2020 season with. And it’s pretty good considering they graduated five seniors and welcomed only one freshman.

But staying healthier than they did last season will be a priority for the Riggins-based Savages, a junior- and sophomore-oriented 8-man team that opens its season with a nonleague game at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Wilder.

Fortunately for the Savages, they haven’t quite run out of the scions of the Shepherd family, which has supplied them with a nonstop stream of athletes for more than a decade — all of them the sons of the brother trio of Charlie Sr., Mike and Ron. This year, the team’s top returner is senior running back and linebacker Garret Shepherd (one of Mike’s three sons), who made the first unit of the All-Long Pin Conference team last year on defense and as a utility player.

The Savages also will look for prominent contributions from junior receiver and cornerback Tyrus Swift.

Beyond that, the team’s seasoning is thin.

At quarterback will be sophomore Gabe Zavala, who got his feet wet as an injury replacement last year and will be asked to learn quickly and throw the ball often in a spread

Pete Caster/Tribune

Salmon River’s Tyrus Swift and his teammates maneuver around obstacles during a practice this past week in Riggins. The Savages will play their season opener at 7 p.m. today at home against Wilder.

> Salmon River COACH — Ty Medley (third year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 0-4 in Long Pin Conference, 1-7 overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Garret Shepherd, sr., RB/LB; Tyrus Swift, jr., WR/CB; Mortaki Ceglia-Klaudt, jr., OL/ DL; Cordell Bovey, soph., WR/LB; Gabe Zavala, soph., WR/DE. offense designed to offset the Savages’ lack of size.

“We’ll try to make them cover every inch of the field — put them in unfavorable positions, because we aren’t going to be able to push them around,” said third-year coach Ty Medley, who ran

> 5 things to watch With their lack of numbers, the Savages will try to be more fundamentally sound than their opponents.

Sharp execution, in all situations, will be a goal.

On defense, Salmon River wants to vastly improve its tackling from 2020.

One big emphasis: consistency. No backsliding.

As much as any team out there, the Savages need to stay healthy. the same offense a year ago.

Conversely, the Savages on defense will try to mitigate the perils of open space — in other words, tackle more effectively than they did last year.

“In 8-man, it’s a skill above all else,” Medley said. “The field’s the same size and we’ve got three less guys.”

Blind luck treated the Savages poorly in a 1-7

season last year, starting with a summer basketball injury that sidelined then-senior quarterback Jimmy Tucker until late in the campaign. In freak noncontact mishaps, the Savages also lost running back Justin Whitten to a hyperextended elbow and, in their season finale, Shepherd to a lower-leg injury.

In trying to bounce

back this year, the Savages will focus on efficiency and making the most of their opportunities.

“We have to get all the juice out of the fruit,” Medley said. “We can’t leave any in there.”

Grummert may be contacted at daleg@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2290.

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — at Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

9/11 — Chewelah, noon 9/17 — at Reardan, 7 p.m.

9/24 — Colfax, 7 p.m.

10/1 — at Davenport, 7 p.m.

10/8 — Northwest Christian, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at LRS, 7 p.m.

10/29 — Liberty, 7 p.m.

Panthers will build around seasoned line Asotin returns no starting RBs or receivers, but that’s not necessarily a problem

By DALE GRUMMERT SPORTS STAFF

I

f given his choice between an experienced bunch of skill players and an experienced offensive line, Asotin coach Jim Holman would take the latter.

That’s what he’s got.

The Panthers lose all their starting running backs and receivers from last year, but they return five offensive linemen. In fact, all but one of them — Nick Heier — will be back next season as well.

“It’s become our foundation the last few months, from April to now,” said Holman, who’s entering his eighth season.

Also grateful for their presence is quarterback Preston Overberg, who started all six games in the pandemic-delayed season a few months ago and now returns as a senior. The Panthers like to employ zone-read schemes, so Overberg’s experience level should prove valuable.

As a bonus, they welcomed back two skill players who took last season off: senior running back Cam Knight and junior receiver Isaiah Berzett.

Asotin’s other returning linemen are Justin Boyea, Will Clegg,

> Asotin COACH — Jim Holman (eighth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 3-3 in Northeast 2B League and overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Justin Boyea, soph., OL/DL; Cameron Clovis, soph., RB/LB; Will Clegg, jr., OL/LB; Rueben Eggleston, jr., WR/DL; Gavin Ells, soph., QB/DB; Ty Galles, sr., RB/DB; Nick Heier, sr, OL/DL; Kamea Kauhi, jr., WR/DB; Deven Olsen, jr., OL/DL; Preston Overberg, sr., QB/DB; C.J. Pasion, jr., WR/DB; Gavin Wood, jr., OL/DL. Deven Olsen and Gavin Wood.

Last season was atypically rough for the Panthers, who lost three of their first four games before rallying to a 3-3 record, all in the Northeast 2B League. Holman’s crew had reached the Washington state 2B quarterfinal round in 2015 and the semifinal round the next two years.

Through thick and thin, though, the Panthers have played strong defense, and there’s no reason to expect anything different this year.

“For us, it’s always been a focus,” Holman said. “I think you can make an argument that in football nowadays the mindset is that you score more points than the other team and hope to win by one, whether it’s 7-6 or 57-56. For us, we’ve always emphasized defense.”

Partly for that reason, the Panthers will capitalize on that seasoning up front and run the ball often.

“So our offensive mentality is real close to our defensive mentality,” Hol-

Pete Caster/Tribune

Asotin running back Cam Knight runs through agility drills during Monday’s practice. The Panthers open the season Sept. 3 at Kettle Falls.

> 5 things to watch Senior quarterback Preston Overberg, who also is a point guard on the basketball team and a catcher in baseball, looks to lead with a steady hand as a second-year starter.

With no starters returning at RB and WR, Asotin will rely heavily on an experienced offensive line.

The Panthers generally play stellar defense, and there’s no reason to think this year will be different.

There’s continuity in the brain trust. Jim Holman’s coaching staff of Cory Eller, Jason Emery, Brian O’Kelley and Shaun O’Kelley has been together for eight years.

With a roster of only 24 players at the 11-man level, the Panthers need to avoid health issues as much as possible. man said. “We like to battle up front and move the line of scrimmage.”

The Northeast 2B League has scrapped its divisional format and will be a far-flung, nine-team circuit.

The Panthers will get an immediate feel for the length of the conference’s footprint, traveling almost

200 miles for their season opener at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Kettle Falls.

In Game 2 on Sept. 11, they play host to Chewelah, which might be the league favorite.

Grummert may be contacted at daleg@ lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2290.

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — Davenport, 7 p.m.

9/11 — at Northwest Christian, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Lake Roosevelt, 7 p.m.

9/24 — at Asotin, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Liberty, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

10/15 — Chewelah, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at Reardan, 7 p.m.

10/28 — LRS, 7 p.m.

Bulldogs should be well skilled this season

Zach Wilkinson/Daily News

Colfax receiver Tanner Senter catches a pass from quarterback Seth Lustig during a practice Tuesday. The Bulldogs open the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at home against Davenport.

Colfax is heavy with upperclassmen at important positions

By CODY WENDT SPORTS STAFF

V Morgan

eteran Colfax football coach Mike Morgan has observed that “certain classes have certain types of kids in them,” with different peer groups

often gravitating toward different parts of the game.

Almost all of last year’s graduating Bulldog seniors were linemen, while Morgan’s current crop of upperclassmen is heavily slanted toward the skill positions.

“Our inexperience is

going to be at line,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to be good.

We have some good young kids, but they’re juniors and sophomores. That’s not a weak area for us; it’s just an inexperienced area for us on both offense and defense.”

> Colfax COACH — Mike Morgan, 23rd year LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 3-2 in Northeast 2B League and overall RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Mason Gilchrist, jr., RB/ LB; Damian Demler, sr. QB/DB; Garrett Dingman, sr., WR/DB; Grayson Riddell-Riggs, sr., OL/DL; Trentin Ensley, sr., RB/LB; Ryan Henning, sr., RB/DB; JD Peterson, jr., WR/DB

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Colfax assistant Phil Morgan rides on the back of a sled while being pushed by players as they work on drive blocking during Tuesday’s practice.

Zach Wilkinson/ Daily News

Morgan describes the Colfax offense as one that will “start behind (senior quarterback) Damian Demler” and lean heavily on running backs like Mason Gilchrist and Trentin Ensley.

“We like to try to keep it mixed up for sure,” he said. “It will be more

of a running team — that’s what our offense is built around — but Damian has a great arm. He has great scrambling abilities, but he’s also an excellent option quarterback, and that’s mostly what we run in our offense is option football.”

Demler, a 6-foot, 180-pounder,

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also will see time on defense as he was a starter in the backfield.

Senior Garrett Dingman, at 6-2 and 190 pounds, was a first-team allleague pick at defensive back while also starting at tight end. Senior Ryan Denning and junior JD Peterson each started on both sides of the ball in the spring, while 6-1, 200-pound senior Grayson Riddell-Riggs will anchor the lines.

The Bulldogs, who went 3-2 in their pandemic-delayed, truncated spring season, open this season at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at home against Northeast 2B League foe Davenport. Their schedule features the usual lineup of league opposition along with one nonleague home game against an unfamiliar foe in Lake Roosevelt of Coulee Dam, Wash. — another Class 2B school coming off a 3-2 season.

“We’re just happy to be playing in September and not in February,” Morgan said. “... There were times we were out practicing and it was 12 degrees with snow on the field.

Everybody took advantage of it

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> 5 things to watch The improvement the front offensive and defensive lines will make during the season.

The speed of the offensive backfield.

The arm strength of the two quarterbacks.

The “two best onside kick specialists in the league.”

The height of jumps on the sideline from defensive coordinator Jason Cooper during exciting plays. “We actually slow the film down for the kids to see him during our film sessions,” Morgan said. because it was our opportunity to play football last year, but everybody will tell you it feels so much better to just have a regular season playing a good 10-game schedule and hopefully end up in the playoffs.”

Wendt may be contacted at cwendt@ lmtribune.com, or (208) 848-2268.

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SCHEDULE 9/3 — Waterville, 6 p.m.

9/10 — Deary, 7 p.m.

9/17 — Liberty Bell, 6 p.m.

9/24 — at Tekoa-Rosalia, 7 p.m.

10/1 — Touchet, 7 p.m.

10/8 — at SJEL, 7 p.m.

10/15 — DeSales, 7 p.m.

10/22 — at Yakama Nation, 7 p.m.

10/29 — Liberty Christian, 7 p.m.

11/4 — at Sunnyside Christian, 7 p.m.

Youth program paying off for Pirates

Pete Caster/Tribune

Pomeroy players run through tackling drills during Tuesday’s practice. The Pirates open the season at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at home against Waterville.

Pomeroy ahead of schedule thanks to familiar system, recent spring season

By STEPHAN WIEBE SPORTS STAFF

P

OMEROY — Between a spring season that wrapped up just five months ago and a youth program that has the Pirates playing in the same system

since elementary school, this year’s Pomeroy football team is fresher than ever.

Sixth-year coach Kyle Kimble’s team is primed to build off a 4-1 record in a shortened spring season moved because of COVID-19 concerns.

It turns out football is foot-

ball no matter when it’s played.

“I thought it was going to be weird playing football in February, but once we got back into it it’s the same thing,” Kimble said.

As the Pirates returned for fall camp this month, the players were surprised by

> Pomeroy COACH — Kyle Kimble (sixth year) LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 3-1 in Southeast 1B League, 4-1 overall KEY RETURNERS — Trent Gwinn, sr., QB/LB; Braedyn White, sr., OL/DL; Colton Slaybaugh, sr., WB/DB; Troy Steele, sr., OL/ DL; Richie Vecchio, sr., OL/DL; Trevin Kimble, jr., RB/TE/LB; Jesse Mings, jr., TE/RB/LB; Sidney Bales, jr., RB/DB; Braden Mings, soph., TE/LB; Trace Roberts, soph., OL/DL

P R E P F O O T B A L L 2 0 2 1 / F R I D AY, A U G U S T 2 7, 2 0 2 1 how natural everything felt.

“The other thing I think it helped us with was retention of the offensive and defensive schemes,” Kimble said. “When we came out Day 1, even stretching our boys were like, ‘Hey, we were just here.’

“Just a few months ago, our guys were out on the football field, so just that kind of memory and camaraderie — we’ve been able to build because of that weirdness we had last spring — I think is going to pay off.”

Another big reason for being more ready than usual is many of the players have been in the same system for years. Kimble and some coaches from his staff and the junior high team run a program that uses the same offense from third grade to 12th grade.

“The kids that were sixth-graders when we started that are now sophomores,” Kimble said, “so I think that’s why we’re starting to see a little bit easier time teaching our techniques and teaching our schemes because the kids have heard it before and they understand it.”

Kimble’s unbalanced single wing system can be confusing for opponents since it uses misdirection and can have multiple players in the backfield ready to receive the ball.

It also helps that Pomeroy’s leader at quarterback is the program’s all-time leading scorer, Trent Gwinn. Gwinn, a two-way all-league performer, now has his entire senior season to add to it.

“Everybody knows who he is when he walks onto the field

> 5 things to watch Pomeroy’s leading scorer, Trent Gwinn, has a full season to add to his numbers. That’s scary for the Pirates’ opponents.

Coach Kyle Kimble says defensive end is the hardest position to play in 8-man football. That’s why he’s ecstatic to have two of the best in Braedyn White and Trace Roberts, who “took care of a lot of problems for us.”

At small schools, a team of 25 players might have 10 who are actual football studs, Kimble said. That’s not the case for the Pirates, who are lucky to boast a full roster of talent.

With teams like Deary, Liberty Bell of Winthrop and conference foes like DeSales of Walla Walla and Liberty Christian of Richland on the docket, Pomeroy will be tested early and often this season.

If the offensive line can stay healthy, Kimble thinks his team’s run game will be solid behind Sidney Bales, a junior who returns after taking last season off. Bales was a first-team allleague defensive back for Pomeroy as a freshman.

WE WISH ALL AREA TEAMS A FUN & SUCCESSFUL SEASON!

and they still have a tough time stopping him,” Kimble said.

Other players to watch include linemen Braedyn White and Trace Roberts and junior speedster Sidney Bales, who returns from a year’s absence.

Wishing All Area Schools A Safe, Fun, And Successful Season.

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