When Coeur d’Alene garnered its second consecutive 5A state championship last fall, the Vikings — sub varsity and varsity alike – developed a collective swagger. Program-wide undefeated seasons warranted that brand of confidence. Finishing No. 16 in the USA Today’s Super 25 poll amplified it. So when the Vikings face the most brawny non-league slate in program history with the loss of a few stalwarts, it’ll be a welcoming challenge for 15-year head coach Shawn Amos. “We’re excited to challenge ourselves,” Amos said.  ”We’re playing some outstanding teams. Our goal is is not to undefeated, but get to the playoffs.”  The Vikings, who picked up defending big-school champion Skyline (Wash.), 5A power Highland, Mercer Island (Wash.) and West Linn (Ore.) for non league games, lost a grip of talent including back-to-back 5A POY Chad Chalich at quarterback and All-State receiver/defensive end Deon Watson.  They do, however, return arguably the toughest offensive and defensive lines in the Gem State/Ryan Collingwood, Varsity/CDA. More here. (VarsityCDA photo by Jason Duchow of CHS Vik Jeremiah Hazard)

• DFO: Former Lewiston Tribune sports reporter Ryan Collingwood has launched his VarsityCDA Web site in time for the fall football season. It has a "soft pay wall" and is designed to cover high school & North Idaho College sports online. You can check it out here.

Question: What's your impression of Ryan's Web site?