Idaho’S Border League
In predicted order of finish:
Lake City Timberwolves
1998 records: 7-3 (overall), 4-0 league
Coach: Van Troxel Years coaching, record: 21st, 96-107
Top returners: Pete Hamill, sr., 6-0, 180, safety/running back; Josh Vogan, sr., 5-9, 165, linebacker/fullback; Jake Freeman, sr., 6-0, 185, cornerback/quarterback; Matt Hubiak, sr., 5-6, 130, s/wide receiver; Carl Schrader, sr., 5-11, 291, offensive guard/defensive tackle; Tom Dennis, sr., 6-3, 220, offensive tackle; Chad Lyon, 6-0, 245, dt/ot; Brett Ebert, sr., 6-2, 190, center; Chad Schmidt, sr., 6-2, 260, dt.
Top newcomers: Doug Blaty, jr., 5-10, 170, fb; Luke Anderson, jr., 6-4, 210, tight end; Jeff Edwards, jr., 6-1, 205, dl; Aaron Sande, jr., 6-2, 240, ol.
Coach’s comments: “This could be as good a team as I’ve ever had. This will be the biggest, strongest team we’ve had at Lake City.”
Outlook: The parts are in place for the Timberwolves to play deep into November. LC will be favored to win the Border League and earn one of the region’s two state berths. In what could serve as a playoff tuneup, LC will entertain Mead in a regular-season finale.
Post Falls Trojans
1998 records: 3-4-1, 3-1
Coach: Jeff Choate
Years coaching, record: 5th, 3rd at PF, 17-16-2
Top returners: Tyler Smith, sr., 6-2, 180, free safety/qb; Nate Lightner, sr., 5-9, 170, s/wr; Doug Molar, sr., 5-11, 195, rb/ db; Jon Garrett, sr., 5-11, 170, rb; Kevin Siegner, sr., 6-0, 245, ot/dt; Jarod Williams, sr., 6-1, 225, dt; Joe Adamchak, sr., 6-0, 185, c; Elijah Cranford, sr., 6-0, 200, de/fb; Jeff Johnson, sr., 6-0, 145, wr/cb.
Top newcomers: Jason Frink, jr., 6-4, 218, de/ot; Dan Agte, jr., 6-2, 215, ot/dt; Aaron Bair, sr., 5-11, 180, ol; Aristo Arana, sr., 5-11, 210, ol/dl; Kyle Hutchison, jr., 6-1, 160, db/wr; Kelly Lightner, jr., 5-7, 155, lb; Nate Sinclair, jr., 6-1, 185, lb; Zach Desjarles, sr., 6-1, 200, ol; Kyle Deleonard, jr., 5-11, 265, ol.
Coach’s comments: “We’re a lot more athletic at the skill positions. We will be much more versatile offensively. Defensively, we’re going to be able to line up against any front.”
Outlook: If the Trojans and LC win their season openers, then circle this date on the calender: Oct. 22. That’s when LC visits Post Falls in what could decide the region’s top playoff seed and perhaps the Border League title. This could be Post Falls’ best team since the years of Austin Lee and Josh Mort. If the defense is solid it could be more than a special season.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
1998 records: 2-7, 1-3
Coach: Satini Puailoa
Years coaching, record: 14th, 63-48
Top returners: Carl Roubicek, sr., 6-3, 180, db/qb; Steve Mills, sr., 5-10, 150, wr; Ryan Egan, sr., 5-9, 175, rb; Steve Jackson, jr., 5-11, 200, rb; Jaime Darling, sr., 5-10, 195, c; Casey Aumick, jr., 6-3, 240, ol; Jeff West, sr., 5-11, 230, ol; Gabe Young, sr., 6-0, 250, dl; Devin Rinaldi, sr., 6-5, 230, de; John Hawkins, sr., 6-4, 190, lb; Greg Nielson, sr., 6-3, 180, lb; John Lohr, sr., 6-0, 210, lb; Matt Scott, jr., 5-10, 175, db.
Top newcomers: Brandon Delewese, jr., 5-11, 205, fb; Josh Sears, sr., 5-10, 200, fb; Greg Malone, jr., 6-4, 175, wr; Matt Reifsnyder, jr., 6-1, 185, wr; Derrick Peterson, jr., 6-4, 250, dl; Gerrad Lopshire, jr., 6-4, 185, lb; Tyler Scott, jr., 6-3, 215, lb; John Wold, sr., 6-0, 175, db; J.C. Davault, jr., 6-0, 170, db.
Coach’s comments: “(In terms of practice), we’re off to our best start that we’ve ever had. It’s a talented group. We have a lot of good players who can make plays.”
Outlook: The 1997 state champs fell on hard times last year. Sandpoint had many, many bodies, but not enough talent to surround quarterback Paul Nieman. The Bulldogs return most of their linemen, but now must reload in the skill positions. It may take time for Sandpoint to jell.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
1998 records: 1-8, 1-3
Coach: Shawn Amos
Years coaching, record: 5th, 3rd at CdA, 13-22-1
Top returners: Kyle Ahlf, jr., 6-0, 175, qb; Blake Whiteman, jr., 5-11, 165, wr/db; Ryan Moe, sr., 6-1, 205, te/nt; Forest Jenkins, sr., 6-0, 225, c/dt; Ben Wolfe, jr., 6-2, 200, lb; A.J. Ballensky, sr., 6-0, 185, lb; Robert Green, sr., 6-4, 255, de.
Top newcomers: Paul Ziegler, jr., 5-10, 165, rb; Nate Alderman, jr., 6-3, 230, de/ te; Kraig Sigler, jr., 6-0, 255, ol/dl; Drew Fitzgerald, jr., 5-9, 185, fb/lb; Chris Goodwin, sophomore, 5-8, 160, db; Jason Rupp, jr., 5-8, 165, wr; Anthony Flores, soph., 5-9, 175, lb.
Coach’s comments: “The biggest difference in this team and my first two teams is the chemistry. If they have a bad practice they’re mad. I don’t have to tell them they’ve had a bad practice. That’s a blessing.”
Outlook: Wins aside, the Viks have made strides under Amos, and they’re poised to make even more improvement this year. However, it may not be measured in victories. CdA could either jump up and scare the favorites or could stumble in with two or fewer wins. Expect CdA to be competitive in most games.
Moscow Bears
1998 records: 1-7, 1-3
Coach: Jaxon Schweikert
Years coaching, record: 4th, 2nd at Moscow, 16-14
Top returners: Todd Drage, sr., 6-1, 240, og/lb; Trent Baysinger, sr., 6-0, 170, qb/ fs; Jerry Bright, sr., 5-10, 175, lb; Jared Fredrickson, sr., 5-10, 170, rb/db; Evan Pittman, sr., 5-10, 170, rb/db; Silas Youmans, sr., 5-10, 190, fb.
Top newcomers: Drew Burton, jr., 6-3, 265, ot/dt; Neil Luther, sr., 6-3, 270, dt; Darnell Williams, jr., 6-3, 175, wr; George Yarno, soph., 6-0, 210, lb/te; Blair Morscheck, jr., 6-0, 210, de/fb; Brian Coleman, sr., 5-11, 210, og/dt.
Coach’s comments: “Teams are going to have to show up to play us. We feel we were competitive last year and we weren’t very good. We definitely feel like we’re a lot better this year.”
Outlook: The Bears feature some of the top athletes in the region. Problem is Moscow doesn’t have enough to package around them. The Bears lack depth and a key injury or two could make Schweikert’s second season just as long as his first.
Pete Hamill, senior, 6-0, 180, safety/running back, Lake City Jeff Johnson, sr., 6-0, 145, wide receiver, Post Falls Devin Rinaldi, sr., 6-5, 230, defensive end, Sandpoint Blake Whiteman, junior, 5-11, 165, wide receiver/defensive back, Coeur d’Alene Carl Schrader, sr., 5-11, 291, guard, Lake City A.J. Ballensky, sr., 6-0, 185, linebacker, Coeur d’Alene Kevin Siegner, sr., 6-0, 245, guard/defensive tackle, Post Falls Todd Drage, sr., 6-1, 240, linebacker/guard, Moscow Chad Lyon, sr., 6-0, 245, defensive tackle, Lake City Carl Roubicek, sr., 6-3, 180, quarterback, Sandpoint