Tradition, Menegas Go Hand In Hand Lewiston Among Iel Teams Most Likely To Gain Playoffs For State Championship
Tradition is a word that frequently finds its way into pep talks Lewiston High School football coach Nick Menegas has with his team, particularly this time of the year.
He couldn’t use that word, say, 10 years ago.
When Menegas left Post Falls for Lewiston in 1986, he inherited a program that had no tradition. His first team didn’t make the state playoffs. But Menegas’ teams have made eight straight playoff appearances going into this season.
“Tradition is something that’s a major emphasis for us,” said Menegas, who, while at Post Falls, guided seven of eight Trojans teams to the state playoffs.
Under Menegas, Lewiston’s string of postseason play includes a runner-up finish in the State A-1 Division II final three years ago, a state championship two years ago and a first-round appearance last year with a team that was a mere shell of the title winner.
The present Bengals team may not approach a state championship, but will be much better than last year’s team that managed to share a league crown with Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene.
With three of five teams in the IEL advancing to the playoffs, Lewiston’s a safe bet to be playing in November.
Last season at Post Falls, meanwhile, the Trojans took a huge stride towards re-establishing tradition, something that, coincidentally or not, left Post Falls at the same time as Menegas.
After Post Falls suffered through five lean seasons, Jerry Lee took over a program that barely had a distinguishable pulse.
Five years later, the Trojans posted a 9-2 record last fall, the best mark by a Post Falls team since the late 1970s. And the Trojans were one break away in a 28-25 semifinal loss to Burley from advancing to the state title game.
Post Falls embarks on the 1995 season as a near lock for a fourth straight trip to the playoffs.
New-found tradition and established tradition will collide in a mere four weeks. Post Falls travels to Lewiston in the league opener for the two teams on Sept. 22.
Though it’s premature to say a win secures a league championship for the winner, a victory will go far in deciding the league champion.
For Post Falls to achieve its goal of winning a league title, it will have to accomplish something no Trojan team has done - defeat Lewiston.
A 14-13 loss to Lewiston last year kept the Trojans from winning the league championship outright and handed Post Falls its 16th consecutive loss to the Bengals, a streak dating back to 1980.
Menegas and Lee see more than just their teams in the chase for a league title, however.
“I see a lot of parity, especially based on last year,” Menegas said. “I think all five teams in the league are going to be sound. It’s another year when intangibles will have a lot to say in the outcome - things like injuries, penalties and leadership.”
Added Lee: “Overall, I see balance. It’s up for grabs for anyone.”
Sandpoint coach Satini Puailoa and Lake City coach Van Troxel believe their programs are closing the gap on Lewiston and Post Falls.
“If you do all the little things right, (winning) will take care of itself,” Puailoa said. “We’re doing more of the little things right. I see us much more able to compete this season. I think whichever team gets hot and stays healthy will win.”
Even Troxel, whose team’s first priority is to pick up the school’s first victory after an 0-9 rookie year, expects his team to earn respect.
“We feel like we can compete with league teams,” Troxel said. “That’s where we wanted to be this year, to give ourselves an opportunity to win or lose on the football field. A year ago, it was already determined before we got on the field.”
The question mark in the league is at Coeur d’Alene, where the Vikings welcome new coach Bill Anderson. The Vikings are loaded with talented skill players, but return just one lineman on both sides of the ball.
For good reason, Anderson has spent 99 percent of his time preparing his team for its season opener. He’ll concern himself with the league after five non-league games.
“The No. 1 thing I’ve learned about Coeur d’Alene kids is they don’t like to lose,” Anderson said. “And No. 2, they learn very, very quickly.”
After Post Falls and Lewiston, it’s anyone’s guess where CdA, Sandpoint and LC will shake out.
Three of the five IEL teams make their season debuts Friday night against traditional non-league opponents.
Post Falls entertains Lakeland in the annual Battle of the Prairie, Lewiston plays host to Moscow and Sandpoint welcomes Bonners Ferry.
Lake City, meanwhile, hopes to find its first win when it visits Intermountain League title contender St. Maries, while Coeur d’Alene entertains Boise, a team that historically has caused Vikings teams fits. Boise was drubbed 28-0 last week by Pocatello.
All games begin at 7:30.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos (1 Color)
MEMO: These 2 sidebars appeared with the story:
1. INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE In predicted order of finish:
1. Post Falls Trojans 1994 record: 3-1 IEL co-champs, 9-2 overall Coach: Jerry Lee Years coaching: 8, 6th at Post Falls Coach’s record: 32-36 Key returners: Austin Lee, junior, 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, tight end/defensive end; Jeremy Wallace, senior, 6-3, 235, offensive guard/defensive end; Josh Mort, jr., 5-8, 162, running back; Brett Hollenbeck, sr., 6-0, 165, wide receiver/defensive back; Kurt Selberg, 6-3, 195, sr., offensive tackle/de; Matt Antonich, 6-0, 245, jr., dt/og; Shawn Huff, 6-2, 232, jr., dt/og; Ryan Ries, 6-0, 185, sr., linebacker; Josh Dolan, 5-8, 175, jr., lb/rb. Top newcomers: Shawn Michael, 5-11, 160, jr., db/wr; Bill Duvall, 6-1, 170, jr., db; Travis O’Briant, 6-0, 180, sr., quarterback; Adam Fehling, 6-0, 175, soph., db; Cameron Christiansen, 5-7, 140, soph., wr; David Stafford, 6-2, 250, soph., ot/de. Quick kicks: Post Falls lost some key players to graduation - namely Darick Pope (qb), Tim Roberts (wr) and Ian Waltz (fullback/de) - but the Trojans still have plenty of weapons and potential big-play athletes in Mort, Lee and Hollenbeck. Coach’s comment: “Again, like last year, our goals are to win a league title and have a home playoff game. But we have to get a lot better defensively and we have to move the ball and score offensively.” Outlook: O’Briant is more than a capable replacement at quarterback, and he’ll be allowed to blossom thanks to a talented backfield led by Mort. The Trojans are rightfully favored to win the league championship, but they’ll have to do something a Post Falls team has yet to do - beat Lewiston. And the Trojans will have to beat Lewiston at Lewiston.
2. Lewiston Bengals 1994 record: 3-1 co-champs, 5-4-1 Coach: Nick Menegas Years coaching: 20, 10th at Lewiston Coach’s record: 156-72-4 Key returners: Jeremy Frei, 5-10, 175, sr., qb; Jim Farris, 5-11, 175, sr., wr/db; Chris Kennedy, 5-10, 165, sr., rb; Zach Manyon, 6-1, 210, sr., ot/dt; Laki Ah Hi, 6-0, 205, jr., fullback; Andy Peterson, 5-11, 215, sr., dt/og. Top newcomers: Levi Frazier, 6-0, 175, jr., db; Tay Bardwell, 6-1, 180, sr., ot/de. Quick kicks: The Bengals captured the State A-1 Division I championship two years ago, but Menegas probably had his finest coaching season last year when he guided a marginally athletic team gutted by graduation to a share of the league title and a state playoff berth. Coach’s comment: “I’m excited about this team. As always, I expect us to be successful. I believe our program is a postseason program.” Outlook: Menegas has moved Kennedy and Ah Hi, a wide receiver and offensive lineman, respectively, last year to the backfield. Ah Hi will be a load for opponents to tackle at fullback and Kennedy’s quickness will be an asset at tailback. Frei is much improved at quarterback, and his favorite target will be the sure-handed Farris. If Lewiston knocks off Post Falls, the Bengals should be league-championship bound. Should the Trojans shake off their jinx, the Bengals should be a lock for second.
3. Coeur d’Alene Vikings 1994 record: 3-1 co-champs, 5-5 Coach: Bill Anderson Years coaching: 23, first at CdA Coach’s record: 109-78-2 Key returners: Mark Scates, 6-0, 185, jr., fb/de; Nick Fierro, 6-0, 220, og/dt; Dave Goodwin, 5-10, 165, sr., rb/db; Ben Davis, 6-0, 170, jr., wr/db/kicker; Jason Hicks, 5-10, 165, sr., wr/db; Travis Lovejoy, 5-10, 155, sr., wr/db. Top newcomers: Nick Rook, 5-10, 175, jr., qb; Ben Ziegler, 5-10, 170, jr., rb/lb; Max Peebles, 6-1, 190, jr., tight end/de; Todd Hughes, 5-10, 165, sr., lb/wr; Eli Daly, 5-9, 185, sr., fb/lb. Quick kicks: Five consecutive non-league games could give the Vikings’ young offensive line time to mature before league. Anderson won’t mind if the Viks stumble once or twice in non-league games as long as his team is ready for league. Coach’s comment: “It’s going to take us a few games to gel, to get to know each other. Team unity and team pride is very, very important to me. When we get things together, we’re going to be OK.” Outlook: The Viks can match skill players with any in the league, but they come into the season green in the trenches. At least seven players will start on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and a lack of depth means the Viks can ill afford injuries. In a best-case scenario, the Viks earn a state playoff berth. Realistically, CdA and cross-town rival Lake City meet in a regular-season finale with the loser finishing in the league cellar.
4. Sandpoint Bulldogs 1994 record: 1-3, 2-7 Coach: Satini Puailoa III Years coaching: 10, 2nd at Sandpoint Coach’s record: 39-33 Key returners: Casey McLaughlin, 5-8, 155, sr., db/wr; Mike Lindgren, 6-4, 205, lb; Jeremy Krebs, 6-3, 205, sr., dt; Jared Vasquez, 6-2, 235, jr., og; James West, 6-1, 220, sr., og/dt; Trevor Walkington, 5-8, 150, sr., db; Jon Bergstrom, 6-0, 190, sr., lb. Top newcomers: Jeremy Thielbahr, 6-2, 195, jr., rb; Carson Jeffres, 6-2, 165, jr., wr; Ryan Knowles, 6-3, 195, jr., lb; J.D. McElroy, 5-10, 205, jr., center; David Wood, 6-0, 210, sr., fb. Quick kicks: Though the Bulldogs managed just two wins in Puailoa’s first season, they missed qualifying for the state playoffs by an extra point when they fell to Post Falls 18-12 in overtime. Puailoa’s rebuilding program is probably a year away from completion, but Sandpoint will get an early look at the final project. Coach’s comment: “I see us as much more able to compete. We’re a couple months ahead of where we left off last year.” Outlook: Tailback Rusty Irish literally carried the Bulldogs on his back last year as Puailoa elected to keep the offense simple. Thielbahr steps into Irish’s shoes and Bulldog fans will like what they see from this multi-talented junior. If the defense matures as quickly as the offense, Sandpoint will be a potent team by season’s end. To that end, though, a win by the Bulldogs in their traditional opener against Bonners Ferry is critical.
5. Lake City Timberwolves 1994 record: 0-4, 0-9 Coach: Van Troxel Years coaching: 17, 2nd at Lake City Coach’s record: 77-88 Key returners: Dave Nelson, 6-0, 170, sr., qb; Ben Scharenberg, 5-6, 135, sr., wr/db; Ben Spink, 5-11, 215, sr., c; Colin Suewing, 5-9, 215, sr., og/lb; Ryan Ebert, 6-1, 215, sr., ot; Nigel Red Bear, 6-2, 180, sr., ot; Casey Milner, 5-11, 245, sr., dt; Joe Smalley, 5-11, 245, sr., dt; Charlie Walker, 6-0, 160, sr., de/te; Travis Whiteside, 5-11, 170, sr., rb/lb. Top newcomers: Brian Ross, 5-10, 170, jr., rb; Heath Johnson, 6-3, 225, jr., og; Joey Schoener, 6-1, 185, jr., te; Greg Sutich, 6-0, 175, sr., de; Adam Kammarcal, 5-8, 135- jr., lb. Quick kicks: Every game is a season until the Timberwolves, winless in their inaugural year, notch their first victory. At best, LC’s nine-game schedule includes four possibilities for wins. Coach’s comment: “We desperately need to win our first game ever. We’ve taken steps to close the gap between us and the top teams in the league. We feel like we can compete this year.” Outlook: Could the T-Wolves go another season without a win? Yes, but unlikely. LC could win one to four games, and, believe it or not, if it packages the right combination of victories, it could jump from last place into the playoff picture. That, however, isn’t likely.
2. PLAYERS TO WATCH (In no particular order)
1. Josh Mort, 5-foot-8, 162-pound, junior, running back, Post Falls. Mort started last season on junior varsity, but moved up to varsity by the third game. He gained 616 yards in the final six regular-season games and with a full year on varsity this season, is a bona fide 1,000-yard candidate. 2. Austin Lee, 6-5, 245, junior, tight end/defensive end, Post Falls. Post Falls coach Jerry Lee considered moving his son to tackle. But common sense prevailed. At tight end, Austin Lee makes the Trojans offense difficult to defend, and he’ll be equally dangerous on the other side of the line. Lee may very well be the league’s best all-around player. 3. Mark Scates, 6-0, 185, junior, fullback/defensive end, Coeur d’Alene. A preseason injury to his shoulder aggravated a year-old injury. Injury or no injury, Scates wants to play, and he’ll be a menace lugging the ball as well as knocking opposing runners on their backs. 4. Jim Farris, 5-11, 175, senior, wide receiver/defensive back, Lewiston. This Bengal is as tough as they come. He’s poised to have a big season and possesses big-play ability both offensively and defensively. 5. Jeremy Thielbahr, 6-2, 195, junior, running back, Sandpoint. Thielbahr replaces Rusty Irish, who gained 1,308 yards last season. Thielbahr is in much the same mold as Irish, but is bigger and will put punishing licks on would-be tacklers. He’ll be entertaining to watch for two seasons. 6. Brett Hollenbeck, 6-0, 165, senior, wide receiver/ defensive back, Post Falls. An all-league receiver as a sophomore, Hollenbeck came back last year and had an all-league season on defense. Athletically blessed, he’s ready to have all-league seasons both ways.
1. INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE In predicted order of finish:
1. Post Falls Trojans 1994 record: 3-1 IEL co-champs, 9-2 overall Coach: Jerry Lee Years coaching: 8, 6th at Post Falls Coach’s record: 32-36 Key returners: Austin Lee, junior, 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, tight end/defensive end; Jeremy Wallace, senior, 6-3, 235, offensive guard/defensive end; Josh Mort, jr., 5-8, 162, running back; Brett Hollenbeck, sr., 6-0, 165, wide receiver/defensive back; Kurt Selberg, 6-3, 195, sr., offensive tackle/de; Matt Antonich, 6-0, 245, jr., dt/og; Shawn Huff, 6-2, 232, jr., dt/og; Ryan Ries, 6-0, 185, sr., linebacker; Josh Dolan, 5-8, 175, jr., lb/rb. Top newcomers: Shawn Michael, 5-11, 160, jr., db/wr; Bill Duvall, 6-1, 170, jr., db; Travis O’Briant, 6-0, 180, sr., quarterback; Adam Fehling, 6-0, 175, soph., db; Cameron Christiansen, 5-7, 140, soph., wr; David Stafford, 6-2, 250, soph., ot/de. Quick kicks: Post Falls lost some key players to graduation - namely Darick Pope (qb), Tim Roberts (wr) and Ian Waltz (fullback/de) - but the Trojans still have plenty of weapons and potential big-play athletes in Mort, Lee and Hollenbeck. Coach’s comment: “Again, like last year, our goals are to win a league title and have a home playoff game. But we have to get a lot better defensively and we have to move the ball and score offensively.” Outlook: O’Briant is more than a capable replacement at quarterback, and he’ll be allowed to blossom thanks to a talented backfield led by Mort. The Trojans are rightfully favored to win the league championship, but they’ll have to do something a Post Falls team has yet to do - beat Lewiston. And the Trojans will have to beat Lewiston at Lewiston.
2. Lewiston Bengals 1994 record: 3-1 co-champs, 5-4-1 Coach: Nick Menegas Years coaching: 20, 10th at Lewiston Coach’s record: 156-72-4 Key returners: Jeremy Frei, 5-10, 175, sr., qb; Jim Farris, 5-11, 175, sr., wr/db; Chris Kennedy, 5-10, 165, sr., rb; Zach Manyon, 6-1, 210, sr., ot/dt; Laki Ah Hi, 6-0, 205, jr., fullback; Andy Peterson, 5-11, 215, sr., dt/og. Top newcomers: Levi Frazier, 6-0, 175, jr., db; Tay Bardwell, 6-1, 180, sr., ot/de. Quick kicks: The Bengals captured the State A-1 Division I championship two years ago, but Menegas probably had his finest coaching season last year when he guided a marginally athletic team gutted by graduation to a share of the league title and a state playoff berth. Coach’s comment: “I’m excited about this team. As always, I expect us to be successful. I believe our program is a postseason program.” Outlook: Menegas has moved Kennedy and Ah Hi, a wide receiver and offensive lineman, respectively, last year to the backfield. Ah Hi will be a load for opponents to tackle at fullback and Kennedy’s quickness will be an asset at tailback. Frei is much improved at quarterback, and his favorite target will be the sure-handed Farris. If Lewiston knocks off Post Falls, the Bengals should be league-championship bound. Should the Trojans shake off their jinx, the Bengals should be a lock for second.
3. Coeur d’Alene Vikings 1994 record: 3-1 co-champs, 5-5 Coach: Bill Anderson Years coaching: 23, first at CdA Coach’s record: 109-78-2 Key returners: Mark Scates, 6-0, 185, jr., fb/de; Nick Fierro, 6-0, 220, og/dt; Dave Goodwin, 5-10, 165, sr., rb/db; Ben Davis, 6-0, 170, jr., wr/db/kicker; Jason Hicks, 5-10, 165, sr., wr/db; Travis Lovejoy, 5-10, 155, sr., wr/db. Top newcomers: Nick Rook, 5-10, 175, jr., qb; Ben Ziegler, 5-10, 170, jr., rb/lb; Max Peebles, 6-1, 190, jr., tight end/de; Todd Hughes, 5-10, 165, sr., lb/wr; Eli Daly, 5-9, 185, sr., fb/lb. Quick kicks: Five consecutive non-league games could give the Vikings’ young offensive line time to mature before league. Anderson won’t mind if the Viks stumble once or twice in non-league games as long as his team is ready for league. Coach’s comment: “It’s going to take us a few games to gel, to get to know each other. Team unity and team pride is very, very important to me. When we get things together, we’re going to be OK.” Outlook: The Viks can match skill players with any in the league, but they come into the season green in the trenches. At least seven players will start on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and a lack of depth means the Viks can ill afford injuries. In a best-case scenario, the Viks earn a state playoff berth. Realistically, CdA and cross-town rival Lake City meet in a regular-season finale with the loser finishing in the league cellar.
4. Sandpoint Bulldogs 1994 record: 1-3, 2-7 Coach: Satini Puailoa III Years coaching: 10, 2nd at Sandpoint Coach’s record: 39-33 Key returners: Casey McLaughlin, 5-8, 155, sr., db/wr; Mike Lindgren, 6-4, 205, lb; Jeremy Krebs, 6-3, 205, sr., dt; Jared Vasquez, 6-2, 235, jr., og; James West, 6-1, 220, sr., og/dt; Trevor Walkington, 5-8, 150, sr., db; Jon Bergstrom, 6-0, 190, sr., lb. Top newcomers: Jeremy Thielbahr, 6-2, 195, jr., rb; Carson Jeffres, 6-2, 165, jr., wr; Ryan Knowles, 6-3, 195, jr., lb; J.D. McElroy, 5-10, 205, jr., center; David Wood, 6-0, 210, sr., fb. Quick kicks: Though the Bulldogs managed just two wins in Puailoa’s first season, they missed qualifying for the state playoffs by an extra point when they fell to Post Falls 18-12 in overtime. Puailoa’s rebuilding program is probably a year away from completion, but Sandpoint will get an early look at the final project. Coach’s comment: “I see us as much more able to compete. We’re a couple months ahead of where we left off last year.” Outlook: Tailback Rusty Irish literally carried the Bulldogs on his back last year as Puailoa elected to keep the offense simple. Thielbahr steps into Irish’s shoes and Bulldog fans will like what they see from this multi-talented junior. If the defense matures as quickly as the offense, Sandpoint will be a potent team by season’s end. To that end, though, a win by the Bulldogs in their traditional opener against Bonners Ferry is critical.
5. Lake City Timberwolves 1994 record: 0-4, 0-9 Coach: Van Troxel Years coaching: 17, 2nd at Lake City Coach’s record: 77-88 Key returners: Dave Nelson, 6-0, 170, sr., qb; Ben Scharenberg, 5-6, 135, sr., wr/db; Ben Spink, 5-11, 215, sr., c; Colin Suewing, 5-9, 215, sr., og/lb; Ryan Ebert, 6-1, 215, sr., ot; Nigel Red Bear, 6-2, 180, sr., ot; Casey Milner, 5-11, 245, sr., dt; Joe Smalley, 5-11, 245, sr., dt; Charlie Walker, 6-0, 160, sr., de/te; Travis Whiteside, 5-11, 170, sr., rb/lb. Top newcomers: Brian Ross, 5-10, 170, jr., rb; Heath Johnson, 6-3, 225, jr., og; Joey Schoener, 6-1, 185, jr., te; Greg Sutich, 6-0, 175, sr., de; Adam Kammarcal, 5-8, 135- jr., lb. Quick kicks: Every game is a season until the Timberwolves, winless in their inaugural year, notch their first victory. At best, LC’s nine-game schedule includes four possibilities for wins. Coach’s comment: “We desperately need to win our first game ever. We’ve taken steps to close the gap between us and the top teams in the league. We feel like we can compete this year.” Outlook: Could the T-Wolves go another season without a win? Yes, but unlikely. LC could win one to four games, and, believe it or not, if it packages the right combination of victories, it could jump from last place into the playoff picture. That, however, isn’t likely.
2. PLAYERS TO WATCH (In no particular order)
1. Josh Mort, 5-foot-8, 162-pound, junior, running back, Post Falls. Mort started last season on junior varsity, but moved up to varsity by the third game. He gained 616 yards in the final six regular-season games and with a full year on varsity this season, is a bona fide 1,000-yard candidate. 2. Austin Lee, 6-5, 245, junior, tight end/defensive end, Post Falls. Post Falls coach Jerry Lee considered moving his son to tackle. But common sense prevailed. At tight end, Austin Lee makes the Trojans offense difficult to defend, and he’ll be equally dangerous on the other side of the line. Lee may very well be the league’s best all-around player. 3. Mark Scates, 6-0, 185, junior, fullback/defensive end, Coeur d’Alene. A preseason injury to his shoulder aggravated a year-old injury. Injury or no injury, Scates wants to play, and he’ll be a menace lugging the ball as well as knocking opposing runners on their backs. 4. Jim Farris, 5-11, 175, senior, wide receiver/defensive back, Lewiston. This Bengal is as tough as they come. He’s poised to have a big season and possesses big-play ability both offensively and defensively. 5. Jeremy Thielbahr, 6-2, 195, junior, running back, Sandpoint. Thielbahr replaces Rusty Irish, who gained 1,308 yards last season. Thielbahr is in much the same mold as Irish, but is bigger and will put punishing licks on would-be tacklers. He’ll be entertaining to watch for two seasons. 6. Brett Hollenbeck, 6-0, 165, senior, wide receiver/ defensive back, Post Falls. An all-league receiver as a sophomore, Hollenbeck came back last year and had an all-league season on defense. Athletically blessed, he’s ready to have all-league seasons both ways.