Greg Lee: Low turnout does number on Badgers

First, for the record, it must be said that I’ve been nothing but a big supporter for Bonners Ferry High athletics over the years.

Every time BF needed to pass a levy – and athletics were put on life support – I’ve rushed in to exhort the community to step up to the plate.

With that said, you either have to applaud former head football coach Caleb Arceneaux for good timing and knowing when to get out, or scold him for not doing more to avoid the inevitable.

Surely Arceneaux saw this train wreck coming.

Bonners Ferry football has hit rock bottom, and first-year coach Ed DePriest is left to try and resurrect a crash left at his doorstep.

This could get ugly before things get better, and DePriest may depart rather than stay and fight.

I would completely understand. Had DePriest known back in the spring that he would have just 14 bodies to suit up for the season opener, there’s no way in his right mind that he would have applied for the job. Nobody would have. What we would have had left was similar to what I found in 1984 in my first year on the job. Back then, the head coach resigned a week before the season to take a similar job in Washington.

So a bunch of volunteers stepped forward to try to salvage things. I’m just not sure right now if this is salvageable.

This once-proud program could only produce 14 bodies for varsity this fall?

You must appreciate DePriest’s concern going into a non-league schedule that featured Lakeland, Lethbridge, Moscow and Sandpoint.

DePriest was guarded when he spoke with me about the situation. He was told in not so many words by his administration to say nothing but positive things about the season. At which, had I been in his shoes, I would have said, “Here’s my clipboard, take this job and …” You know what.

The varsity turnout included six seniors, two juniors and six sophomores. Pathetic. DePriest said 24 freshmen turned out, but he isn’t about to throw his frosh to the wolves.

The Badgers are 0-2 after a game and a half – the second half of their game last Friday against Lethbridge was canceled because of lightning. They haven’t suffered any season-ending injuries and have picked up two more seniors since the season started.

DePriest went before the school board requesting that the school forfeit its first four games for safety reasons. But the board said no, telling him to play on. The board said it would cost about $10,000 to forfeit the games – a cost that would cover fines and lost revenue to other schools. Let’s see here: $10,000 or injured players?

“These kids haven’t been in the weightroom,” DePriest said going into the season-opener, a 49-16 loss to Lakeland. “I have a serious concern about their safety.”

I wouldn’t wish the situation on my worst enemy.

“We’re going to do the best we can,” DePriest said. “If we stay healthy until league, I think we’ll be OK.”

To me, that’s a big if – one the school board apparently didn’t mind risking.