North Star League Football
In predicted order of finish
Lakeside Knights
1996 record: 7-1 NSL champ, 9-2 overall
Coach: Ron Miller
Years coaching, record: 6th, 23-24
Top returners: Buck Allen, senior, 5-10, 170, running back/linebacker; Ken Pluff, sr., 6-1, 170, quarterback/defensive back; Sam Lozeau, sr., 6-1, 200, rb/lb; Dustin McFadden, sr., 6-0, 165, wr/db; Adam Kolar, junior, 5-11, 165, wr/ db; Barrett Morris, sr., 6-0, 190, tight end/ defensive end; Brock Halstead, sr., 6-1, 240, sr., guard/nose guard; Justin Hoffman, sophomore, 5-11, 190, center/defensive tackle; Mike Bone, jr., 6-0, 180, de.
Newcomers: Ted Colley, sr., 5-9, 155, wr/db; Travis Hogan, jr., 5-9, 170, lineman.
Quick kicks: Miller was greeted with largest turnout (31) in more than 10 years. It’s encouraging considering Lakeside will join the A-3 division (11-man football) next year.
Coach’s comments: “I’ve been high on this group since most of them were sophomores. We had a little success against Deary in the playoffs last year. It showed us some things we need to work on in order to compete at the state level.”
Outlook: Lakeside captured the state boys basketball title last winter. To suggest the Knights could do the same in football could be a stretch, but they should go deep into the playoffs. They shouldn’t be tested in league. Lakeside has a bye this week before opening Sept. 12 at Falls Christian.
Clark Fork Wampus Cats
1996 record: 5-3, 6-3
Coach: Frank Hammersley
Years coaching, record: 9th, 45-31
Top returners: Nate Stutzke, jr., 6-2, 175, qb/ db/de; George Klontz, jr., 6-0, 195, rb/de; Brent Stevens, sr., 5-8, 150, wr/db; Ben Wells, sr., 5-9, 175, g/lb; Chris Scarlett, sr., 5-10, 180, rb/ dl; Derrick Higgins, jr., 6-1, 180, center/dl.
Newcomers: Mark Cheslic, sr., 5-11, 160, cb/ wr; Brent Stutzke, freshman, 5-9, 150, wr/db; Jason Meredith, sr., 5-10, 150, rb/de; James Vogel, soph., 5-11, 185, g/lb.
Quick kicks: If things go as planned, Clark Fork will be playing its first game ever under lights as early as Friday. Several people in the community pitched in to light Clark Fork’s field.
Coach’s comments: “They have a great attitude and work ethic. They came to two-a-days in shape. They’re taking a no-nonsense approach.”
Outlook: Second place and a state berth are legitimate goals for the Wampus Cats. They should be able to light up the scoreboard with a balanced and explosive offense. Hammersley says if his team plays mistake-free it can compete with Lakeside. Wampus Cats opened with a 43-34 win over Falls Christian.
Falls Christian Eagles
1996 record: 1-7, league and overall
Coach: Rick Alexander
Years coaching, record: 2nd, 1-8
Top returners: Aaron Mitson, sr., 6-1, 165, rb; Matt Smith, sr., 6-1, 273, ng; Matt Derrick, sr., 6-2, 210, g; Charlie Dowers, soph., 5-8, 130, db.
Newcomers: Jared Bligh, jr., 6-3, 175, qb; Joey Phelps, sr., 6-2, 215, lb; Ben Danforth, frosh., 5-10, 145, fb; Aristo Arana, soph., 5-10, 195, g; J.J. Fairbrother, jr., 5-9, 160, olb.
Quick kicks: The Eagles will be the lone team in the league that will start 16 different players. There will be no two-way starters. Alexander picked up the idea from Sandpoint coach Satini Puailoa.
Coach’s comments: “These kids have been very dedicated. We were blessed with some newcomers who figure prominently in our plans. But you don’t know if the other schools got the same thing. We’ll be an improved team. We can’t do much but go up (after last year).”
Outlook: Things are much brighter at the Post Falls school. The Eagles will feature one of the biggest teams, pound for pound, in the league. Their strength should be defense. If things come together, they could sneak past Clark Fork into second place. FCA fell 43-34 to Clark Fork in its opener.
Kootenai Warriors
1996 record: 1-7, league and overall
Coach: Scott Shafer
Years coaching, record: 4th, 4-21
Top returners: Catlin Torline, soph., 5-8, 140, qb/lb; Doug Ott, jr., 5-8, 140, rb/db; Randy Reinhofer, sr., 6-5, 200, te/de; Tim Ausman, sr., 6-2, 170, fb/lb; Chris Hill, sr., 6-0, 180, ol/ dl; Scott Johns, jr., 5-9, 150, wr/db.
Newcomers: Justin Schorzman, sr., 6-1, 160, qb/de; Jason Watts, soph., 5-9, 140, wr/db.
Quick kicks: Several players reported late to practice because of work commitments, leaving Kootenai with just eight eligible players for a scheduled opener last Friday at Lakeside. School officials decided to forfeit the game and not risk injury.
Coach’s comments: “We should stack up well against all the teams except Lakeside. We should do well if we can avoid injuries.”
Outlook: The Warriors find themselves in the same situation as Falls Christian. If the pieces come together, Kootenai could cause other teams fits. Eligibility and injuries have taken their toll on Kootenai in recent years.
Mullan Tigers
1996 record: 6-2, league and overall
Coach: Brian Arthun
Years coaching, record: 1st
Top returner: Justin Valley, sr., 5-9, 155, qb/ db.
Newcomers: Steve Greenfield, sr., 6-1, 175, rb/ lb; Joe Hayes, sr., 5-11, 175, g/de; Brandon Stanley, sr., 5-11, 155, wr/lb.
Quick kicks: When was the last time a Mullan team was picked to finish last in league? Perhaps never. If it’s happened, it had to occur more than four decades ago.
Coach’s comments: “The expectations aren’t too high. The community seems to understand it could be a rough couple of years. In time, we’ll continue the Mullan tradition.”
Outlook: “In time” is the key part of that statement. It’s not going to happen overnight. The Tigers won’t be able to play smash-mouth football. To that end, Arthun has changed schemes and has a few surprises up his sleeve. It’ll take several surprises for Mullan to avoid the inevitable - a long season.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch Buck Allen, senior, running back/ linebacker, 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Lakeside. Without a doubt the premier athlete in the league. Nate Stutzke, junior, quarterback/defensive back, 6-2, 175, Clark Fork. Had a banner season last year and is expected to pick up where he left off. Ken Pluff, senior, quarterback/defensive back, 6-1, 170, Lakeside. The best option-style QB in the league. Very dangerous on the run. George Klontz, junior, running back/defensive end, 6-0, 195, Clark Fork. Was the rookie of the league as a runner last year. A bruising, bulldozing ballcarrier who’s a load to bring down. Steve Greenfield, senior, running back/linebacker, 6-1, 175, Mullan. Will carry a huge load for the Tigers. He made a big impact as a transfer on the basketball team last year. This is his first year of football. Jared Bligh, junior, 6-3, 175, quarterback, Falls Christian. A standout basketball player, Bligh is playing football for the first time. Has taken to position extremely well during preseason. Randy Reinhofer, senior, 6-5, 200, tight end/defensive end, Kootenai. One of top pass catchers last season. Will be a frequent target again this year.