North Star League
In predicted order of finish:
Falls Christian Eagles
1999 records: 4-2 (league champ), 4-5
Coach: Bill Reese
Years coaching, record: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 8 Base offense; base defense: Two backs, 3-3 Key players: Ben Danforth, sr., 5-9, 170, running back/linebacker; Russ Baker, sr., 6-3, 160, wide receiver/defensive back; Josh Cooper, junior, 5-7, 150, quarterback/lb; Isaac Cervantes, soph., 5-8, 160, rb/lb; K.C. Reese, jr., 6-3, 205, fullback/de.
Coach’s comments: “They’re the defending champions, so they’ve got a little bit of attitude.
Defensively, we’re OK. But we need better blocking out of our linemen.”
Outlook: Reese steps into a great situation developed by former coach Rick Alexander, who resigned at the end of the school year. The Eagles should win a third straight league title.
Mullan Tigers
1999 records: 3-3, 3-4
Coach: Brian Arthun
Years coaching, record: 4th, 4-17
Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 12
Base offense; base defense: I, 4-2
Key players: Jean Hegbloom, sr., 6-2, 210, rb/de; Derik Stanley, jr., 6-0, 170, rb/lb; Justyn Palmer, sr., 6-0, 175, center/lb; Andy Elwood, sr., 6-0, 165, tight end/de; Justin Winkler, sr., 6-0, 160, te/safety; Patrick Short, jr., 5-9, 230, lineman; Jeff James, freshman, 5-9, 150, quarterback.
Coach’s comments: “We’re going to have to play well on the road. We won all the home games but didn’t win on the road.”
Outlook: Mullan’s returning quarterback, Josh Elliott, broke his hand and is out for the season. So Arthun isn’t sure whether he’ll move Stanley behind center or go with a freshman. Hegbloom and Stanley are a talented combo, but the Tigers could suffer if they don’t pose a threat to throw the ball.
Kootenai Warriors
1999 records: 2-4, 2-5
Coach: John Love
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 3-11
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 9
Base offense; base defense: Split backs, 3-4
Key players: Tyler Cress, jr., 5-9, 160, tailback/lb; Drew Wallace, sr., 5-9, 160, qb/free safety; Tom Reinhardt, jr., 6-0, 190, fb/lb; Greg Lundwall, sr., 5-10, 160, te/lb; Eric Johnson, jr., 5-11, 210, c/de; Gus Gustin, soph., 5-10, 155, wr/db.
Coach’s comments: “They’re coming together as a team, but we have a long road ahead of us. We are by no means where we need to be.”
Outlook: Like last year, the Warriors could contend for the league title. Injuries decimated Kootenai last fall. The Warriors must receive solid contributions by many to contend.
Clark Fork Wampus Cats
1999 records: 3-3, 3-4
Coach: Frank Hammersley
Years coaching, record: 12th, 60-42
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 7
Base offense; base defense: I, 3-4
Key players: Allen Potter, sophomore, 5-10, 165, rb/lb; Nick Valliere, sr., 5-9, 170, wr/db; Brent Stutzke, sr., 5-10, 180, qb/fs; Dieder Rueter, sr., 6-2, 175, fb/de; Jared Eagle, sr., 5-11, 200, guard/ nose guard; Antone Changala, sr., 6-4, 170, wr/db.
Coach’s comments: “I’m excited about the season. We have great attitudes and work ethic. It’s a complete change from last year.”
Outlook: The loss of Stutzke for at least half the season and perhaps the whole year will be difficult to overcome. The Wampus Cats have a number of fine athletes, but they must find someone to replace Stutzke.
Players to watch
Ben Danforth, senior, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, running back/linebacker, Falls Christian
Brent Stutzke, sr., 5-10, 180, quarterback/ free safety, Clark Fork
Derik Stanley, jr., 6-0, 170, running back/ linebacker, Mullan
K.C. Reese, jr., 6-2, 205, fullback/ defensive end, Falls Christian
Tyler Cress, jr., 5-9, 160, tailback/linebacker, Kootenai
Jean Hegbloom, sr., 6-2, 210, running back/defensive end, Mullan