Brett Hollenbeck Post Falls Year: Senior Sport: Football Position: Wr/Db

Nearly 10 months had elapsed since the last time Brett Hollenbeck had last attempted to field a punt.

Ten long months. So Friday, when Hollenbeck hauled in the first punt of the 1995 season, used two well-executed blocks by Shawn Huff and Jeremy Wallace and dashed 85 yards for a touchdown, he symbolically lifted a huge weight off his shoulders.

The touchdown-scoring punt return was just the right antidote for Hollenbeck, whose last attempted punt return last season ended in a fumble that helped Burley trip the Trojans 28-25 in a State A-1 Division II semifinal game.

“It had bummed me for a long time,” said Hollenbeck. “The punt return against Lakeland helped wipe away a bad memory.”

It’s a shame, too, that Hollenbeck’s muff in the playoff game overshadowed an otherwise outstanding game. He caught seven passes, two for touchdowns, and intercepted three passes against Burley.

In addition to his punt return, Hollenbeck also had a 93-yard catch-and-run touchdown as he led the Trojans to an impressive 27-7 win over Lakeland.

“He’d never dropped a punt before (Burley) and probably won’t do it again,” Trojans coach Jerry Lee said.

Hollenbeck was unusually nervous when he dropped back for the first punt Friday.

“I really didn’t want to be back there,” he said, smiling. “But after I caught the first one it was all right.”

Indeed.

It’s not likely to be his last TD on special teams, either. He’s also returning kickoffs, and he almost broke one for a score against Lakeland.

Where he’ll shine the most, however, is at wide receiver and defensive back. Hollenbeck will likely break all-time school records for receptions and interceptions this season.

But not at the expense of his team, he said.

“I have personal goals, but the team is more important,” Hollenbeck said. “If I do something good it’s just extra.”

Which has to make the smile on his coach’s face even bigger.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo