A-3 Independents
Wallace Miners
1997 record: 4-5
Coach: Dave Rounds
Years coaching, record: 7th, 26-29-1
Top returners: Jake Sprute, senior, 6-0, 182, quarterback/safety; Marty Pecor, sr., 5-11, 204, tackle; Corey Smith, sr., 5-10, 192, guard/linebacker; Matt Roy, sr., 5-9, 161, wide receiver/lb.
Top newcomers: Darren Lee, junior, 5-9, 166, running back/lb; Craig Zanetti, jr., 5-9, 156, rb/s.
Quick kick: Wallace returns with plenty of depth and tested talent. Given that and Lakeside’s youth and inexperience, the Miners should be playoff bound.
Coach’s comments: “We have a good crop of kids returning. We are a strong and healthy bunch with the desire to win. If we can keep mistakes to a minimum and capitalize, it should be our year.”
Outlook The Miners’ numbers are good. Depth will pay off to keep the team fresh and healthy. Wallace’s experience should pay dividends by season’s end. Wallace opens season Friday against visiting Potlatch.
Lakeside Knights
1997 record:9-2
Coach: Ron Miller
Years coaching, record: 7th, 32-26
Top returners: Adam Kolar, sr., 6-0, 170, wingback/ center; Justin Hoffman, jr.,6-0, 195, ol/lb; Mike Bone, jr., 6-1, 180, ol/dl; Travis Hogan, sr., 5-8, 165 ol/safety; Robbie McPeak, sr., 5-9, 150, wb/dl.
Top newcomers: Brandon Pluff, sophomore, 5-10, 180, qb; Justin Hall, soph., 5-10, 160, wb/c.
Quick kick: The Knights are playing 11-man football for the first time since 1993. The loss of several starters is going to test the players who saw only limited playing time last season when games were well decided.
Coach’s comments “It is going to take some time for us to adjust to having 11 men on the field. Everything is going to be so new to the kids. I really don’t know how we are going to do. Hopefully we will be able to make the adjustments by midseason and play solid ball.”
Outlook: Moving up a division is never easy. Miller’s proven record should help the Knights, but with only 22 players on the roster, they are going to lack the depth needed to win. Lakeside opens the season Saturday at Priest River. PLAYERS TO WATCH Jake Sprute, senior, 6-foot, 182 pounds, quarterback, Wallace. Possibly the Miners’ most dangerous player. If he doesn’t defeat a team with his arm, he can do so with his speed. Marty Pecor, senior, 5-11, 204, tackle, Wallace. He’s the heart and soul of the Miners’ defense. Adam Kolar, senior, 6-0, 170, running back, Lakeside. One of the keys to Lakeside’s success this year is to make sure the fleet-footed Kolar gets his hands on the ball. So Kolar’s move from wide receiver to running back should bring gains for the Knights. Brandon Pluff, sophomore, 5-10, 180, quarterback, Lakeside. The first-year QB will be under a microscope with Knights returning to 11-man football.