Coeur d’Alene boys football makes awards haul

It’s hard to imagine the legend of Chad Chalich growing any larger, considering what he accomplished in the Idaho 5A state championship football game last fall.

The Coeur d’Alene senior quarterback broke a bone on the outside of his right foot in the second quarter of the semifinals, but he finished the game. The day after, his foot was in a cast.

Seven days later, Chalich had the cast removed so he could play in the state title game. And, boy, did he play.

Chalich led the undefeated Vikings to a second straight state crown as Coeur d’Alene overwhelmed Eagle 49-28.

The next day, Chalich’s foot was back in a cast. He didn’t get it off until he was cleared to turn out for basketball the second week of January.

Chalich, his team and his coach, Shawn Amos, hauled in more honors from their 12-0 season Wednesday at the Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters Youth Sports Awards banquet. Chalich was honored as the Junior Male Athlete of the Year, the Vikings were given the Junior Male Team of the Year award and Amos was tabbed Junior Male Coach of the Year.

For a second straight year, Chalich, who signed with the University of Idaho earlier this month, was named the All-Idaho 5A player of the year. He also was named the state Gatorade player of the year.

He put up mouth-dropping numbers. He passed for 3,641 yards and 42 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also rushed for 471 yards and 14 TDs.

“It was a great season for the seniors, especially since we’re the only team in our history to win back to back and go 12-0,” Chalich said.

Senior wide receiver/defensive end Deon Watson accepted the team award for the Vikings. Watson also signed with Idaho.

“The neat thing about awards like this is there are so many great programs around here,” Amos said. “This is pretty humbling. You’re sitting at a table with a guy who has won five state titles and you wonder, ‘How did I get this award?’ It’s pretty special. The great thing about Chad, Deon and the guys is they know it’s just not one guy. Kids like them just don’t say it, they know it. That’s what is outstanding about our kids.”

The Lake City softball team went 25-0, capturing a state championship. LC was honored as the Junior Female Team of the Year.

North Central track and cross country standout Katie Knight was named the Junior Female Athlete of the Year. She had two runner-up finishes last spring in track and captured the State 3A cross country title. She finished second in the Nike regionals and third in the nationals.

Knight was named Washington’s Female Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Lewis and Clark girls basketball coach Jim Redmon was named Junior Female Coach of the Year after his Tigers captured a fourth state title in five years.