Inland Empire League Football
In predicted order of finish
Lewiston Bengals
1996 record: 4-0 IEL champion, 12-0 overall, state champ
Coach: Nick Menegas
Years coaching, record: 22nd, 177-75-4
Top returners: Rick McCrery, senior, 5-6, 160, running back/defensive back; Mickey Hewitt, sr., 6-1, 180, wr/db; Shane Andrews, sr., 5-10, 280, tackle; Grant Wright, sr., 6-2, 210, guard/nose guard; Josh Wolf, junior, 6-2, 185, tight end/lb.
Newcomers: Sennett Pierce, sr., 6-1, 180, quarterback; Tyler Simons, jr., 6-3, 175, wr/db; Michael Rogers, sophomore, 5-10, 150, wr/db.
Quick kicks: Quick is the key word here. Menegas says overall the team speed is good, and his wide receivers may be the fastest he’s ever had. Longtime defensive coordinator Bruce Scholz has moved to the junior high so he can coach his kids. Assistant Shawn Nilsson takes over.
Coach’s comments: “Defense is definitely my biggest concern. I don’t want sore neck syndrome from watching (the opponent) and us go up and down the field. If we do the things we’ve prepared to do, we’ll achieve success.”
Outlook: Until proven otherwise, the Bengals are the class of the league. The question is can the defense stop opponents. The scores of Lewiston’s games may resemble basketball games.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
1996 record: 2-2, 7-2
Coach: Satini Puailoa III
Years coaching, record: 12th, 4th at Sandpoint, 52-38
Top returners: Caleb Bowman, sr., 6-2, 175, wr/db; Nick Jackson, sr., 5-10, 230, sr., fb; Matt Burrows, sr., 5-11, 160, wr; Dave Rust, sr., 6-2, 220, ot; Kurt Berkley, sr., 6-2, 190, rb; Dave Mattingly, sr., 5-11, 200, db/wr; Stefon Kleinert, sr., 6-6, 225, dt; Joe West, sr., 6-4, 270, ng; Matt Smith, sr., 6-4, 240, dt; Travis Knaggs, sr., 5-8, 150, db; Bruce Arnold, sr., 5-9, 170, sb.
Newcomers: Paul Nieman, jr., 6-3, 185, qb; Pat Williams, sr., 5- 10, 245, lg; Quentin Swartz, sr., 5-10, 195, c; Mike Dean, sr., 6-0, 215, rt; Zeb Wininger, jr., 6-2, 210, lb; Chris Harris, sr., 6-4, 230, lb.
Quick kicks: Berkley started at free safety last year but makes the switch to take over for standout Jeremy Thielbahr, who has moved on to Washington State. Berkley and Jackson, the fullback, will give Sandpoint more two-back sets than in the past.
Coach’s comments: “A lot of our seniors are program guys; guys who have been waiting in the wings for their opportunities. We’re just going to get better every time we’re under the lights.”
Outlook: Sandpoint graduated some talented linebackers, but Puailoa believes the Bulldogs will be better that ever defensively. Puailoa calls this the biggest, fastest team he’s had. The Bulldogs will get the ball to speedster Bowman in a variety of ways.
Lake City Timberwolves
1996 record: 0-4, 3-6
Coach: Van Troxel
Years coaching, record: 19th, 4th at LC, 81-102
Top returners: Scott Bushnell, sr., 5-10, 180, rb; Chad Troxel, jr., 5-6, 155, qb; Ryan Duncan, sr., 5-11, 270, dt; Ian Johnson, sr., 5-11, 165, lb; Zeke Steele, sr., 6-1, 265, dt; Nick Granier, sr., 5-8, 165, rb; Ben Orsua, sr., 5-10, 170, te; Steve Allwine, sr., 6-3, 240, g; Bill Rider, sr., 6-0, 205, g; Todd Johnson, sr., 6-0, 170, db.
Newcomers: Joey Kroetch, jr., 5-5, 140, rb/db; Andy Moore, sr., 6-1, 265, dt; J.D. Nipp, jr., 6-4, 215, de; Brandon Taylor, sr., 6-1, 185, lb.
Quick kicks: The Timberwolves’ seniors were freshman when the school opened, and they’ve had success in the lower programs. That’s why Troxel is confident LC will post its best-ever record and challenge for a playoff berth.
Coach’s comments: “The seniors really came back with a good attitude and they’re enthusiastic. We’re better at this point defensively than we’ve been in the past. I don’t see anybody in the league being better than Lewiston was a year ago.”
Outlook: The T-Wolves could finish anywhere from 5-4 to 7-2. They will field the best team in school history. With more athletes than in the past, LC won’t have to try to cover up as many weak areas. What will assist the defense is a ball-control offense.
Post Falls Trojans
1996 record: 3-1, 8-2
Coach: Jeff Choate
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 1st at PF
Top returners: Adam Fehling, sr., 6-0, 180, qb/db; Matt Smith, sr., 5-11, 230, og/dt; Nick Kerfoot, sr., 5-8, 165, c; Rob Davis, jr., 5-11, 215, og/de; Luke Tatman, sr., 6-3, 230, ot/dt; Cameron Christiansen, sr., 5-8, 145, wr/db; Chad Quesnell, sr., 5-8, 145, wr/db; Davis Stafford, sr., 6-3, 290, dt.
Newcomers: Scott Chamberlain, sr., 5-9, 170, rb; Dustin Raschke, sr., 6-1, 195, lb/rb; Steve Gustin, jr., 6-2, 195, de; Eli Thornley, jr., 6-2, 195, te/de; David Neu, sr., 5-11, 155, lb.
Quick kicks: Choate walks into a healthy situation as the entire coaching staff under Jerry Lee returns. To a man the assistants are excited about Choate’s arrival.
Coach’s comments: “These kids expect to win. They’re a product of a successful program. Our season boils down to the last three games in October. You could call this a rebuilding year in a lot of ways, but we’re not approaching it that way.”
Outlook: The Trojans are thin in experience so they must avoid key injuries. If Post Falls stays healthy they’ll challenge for second. The offensive line returns intact and will be the strength of the team. Trojans hope to use Fehling much like Lewiston used Rice last year. But Choate won’t show much early. “We’ll be pretty vanilla for a while,” he said.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
1996 record: 1-3, 4-5
Coach: Shawn Amos
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 1st at CdA, 11-6-1
Top returners: Kurt Sigler, sr., 6-4, 255, lt/dt; Pat Goodwin, jr., 5-9, 150, rb/db; Zack Zielinksi, sr., 6-1, 230, g/dt.
Newcomers: Andy Molenar, sr., 6-3, 165, qb/de; Nate Ferguson, jr., 5-11, 185, qb/db; Vince Rossi, jr., 5-11, 220, rb/lb; Levi Beckman, jr., 5-11, 175, rb/lb; Brett Whiteman, sr., 5-9, 150, wr/db; Jeff Rupp, jr., 5-10, 155, wr/db; Chris Whaley, sr., 5-11, 170, db; Dan Wilson, sr., 6-1, 175, de; Brad Moe, sr., 6-0, 185, lb.
Quick kicks: Amos sees his first team at CdA in a “no-loss-win situation. We know everybody is going to pick us last in the league. So we have no pressure and can just go out and play.”
Coach’s comments: “There’s a new breath of fresh air. The kids sense it. But we’re also being realistic. We know that a lot of our kids would be second teamers on other teams. They’re not as highly touted as the ones that have left. The key will be keeping our confidence up through some adversity.”
Outlook: Amos wants to return CdA to the powerhouse status of the 1980s. It will take time. It certainly won’t happen this year. But be patient. Amos will do a superb job over time. Solid sophomore and freshman classes could help Viks return to form as early as next year. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Caleb Bowman, senior, 6-2, 175, wide receiver/defensive back, Sandpoint. Last year the league featured five Blue Chip athletes. Bowman easily heads the list this year. Scott Bushnell, senior, 5-10, 180, running back, Lake City. Should finish as top rusher or one of top rushers in league. A strong, quick runner, Bushnell will carry much of LC offense. Sennett Pierce, senior, 6-1, 180, quarterback, Lewiston. He won’t make people forget about Brad Rice, but he’s a capable replacement. Adam Fehling, senior, 6-0, 180, quarterback/defensive back, Post Falls. Fehling should be a threat to pass or run. He’s healthy after a groin injury slowed him last year. Mickey Hewitt, senior, 6-1, 180, wide receiver/defensive back. Led league in receiving last year. Could have a bigger impact this year because Lewiston is blessed with several quality receivers. Kurt Sigler, senior, 6-4, 255, offensive tackle/defensive tackle, Coeur d’Alene. One of several fine linemen in league who will garner interest from colleges. Rick McCrery, senior, 5-6, 160, running back/defensive back, Lewiston. A member of two state championship sprint relays last spring, he will definitely be a threat to break a long run. He’ll be most lethal, though, as a receiver one on one with a linebacker. Stefon Kleinert, senior, 6-6, 225, defensive end, Sandpoint. He’s one of three Bulldog linemen who should receive much college interest.