NWPrepsNow notebook including area early signers
When Satini Puailoa returned for a second go around as Sandpoint’s head football coach in 2012, he was alarmed at the disrepair he found the program.
He might as well have been starting a program from scratch with players who had little to no fundamental foundation.
“It was like taking over an intramural program,” Puailoa said.
The year before Puailoa returned, he and many on his coaching staff today coached an eighth grade junior tackle team. Of the 32 seniors on this year’s team, 14 were on his eighth grade team.
“They infected the other guys in a positive way,” Puailoa said.
Third-ranked Sandpoint (8-3) takes on No. 1-ranked Bishop Kelly (9-2) on Saturday at the Kibbie Dome. Kickoff is at 1.
The Bulldogs’ junior varsity posted an 8-1 record and the freshman team was 6-2.
“It’s a different mentality now,” Puailoa said.
Puailoa coached a state title team in 1997 and his 2003 team was state runner-up.
Sandpoint will be out to keep Bishop Kelly from winning a third straight state title.
“It’s going to be a classic battle,” Puailoa said. “Both teams will be trying to impose their will. They’re the perennial power and we’re the guys in the way.”
Stalwick resigns
Loyal assistant coaches usually toil in the background of their head coaches with little recognition.
Count longtime Central Valley assistant cross country and track coach Jennifer Stalwick is in that category. She has stepped down after 20 years as she eyes retiring from a 36-year teaching career when the school year concludes.
How much will Stalwick be missed? I’ll let her boss explain.
“It has been very difficult to say goodbye to Jennifer as my assistant,” Bears head cross country and track coach Dennis McGuire said. “For the last 20 years she has been not only a great coach, but a mother hen, confidant, medic, and generally an invaluable piece of my coaching career. Besides being a wonderful person and friend. We have gone through difficult times with both winning and losing seasons and wonderful times which I will cherish forever. “
McGuire and CV head track Geoff Arte put on a retirement party for Stalwick three days following the state meet. It was attended by about 100 co-workers, friends and family members.
Stalwick was named the Greater Spokane League assistant cross country coach of the year for the second time this fall.
Headed to BYU
Central Valley’s Ben Craig has signed a letter of intent to run hurdles at Brigham Young University.
His jumping abilities were on full display this fall as he led the Greater Spokane League in interceptions. He finished with seven overall.
Craig carried a 4.0 grade-point average.