Border League
In predicted order of finish:
Lake City Timberwolves
1999 records: 8-0 (league champ), 11-1 (overall, state runner-up)
Coach: Van Troxel
Years coaching, record: 22nd, 107-108
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 18
Base offense; base defense: Wingbone, 4-3
Key players: Doug Blaty, sr., 5-10, 180, running back/cornerback; Jeff Edwards, sr., 6-3, 225, defensive tackle/offensive tackle; Jesse Brodin, sr., 6-1, 201, defensive end/tight end; Luke Anderson, sr., 6-5, 220, te/de; Matt Stern, jr., 6-5, 225, quarterback; Brandon Mills, sr., 5-8, 155, rb; Kyle Baker, sr., 5-10, 258, center/dt; Nick Pilon, jr., 6-3, 210, lb/te.
Non-league game: Vs. Mead, Albi Stadium, Oct. 27
Coach’s comments: “We’re much more diverse offensively than ever. Our offense is still option, but it has changed dramatically with our ability to throw.”
Outlook: So how do the Timberwolves follow up their best season in school history? The encore, Troxel said, is consistency. Good programs don’t have drop-offs. LC could be better than a year ago. It’s the team to beat until proven otherwise.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
1999 records: 6-2, 7-3
Coach: Satini Puailoa
Years coaching, record: 15th, 70-51
Starters, lettermen returning: 12, 25
Base offense; base defense: Nebraska, 50
Key players: Tyler Scott, sr., 6-4, 230, linebacker; Brenden Delewese, sr., 5-10, 205, fullback; Steve Jackson, sr., 5-10, 205, tailback; J.C. Davault, sr., 6-1, 175, qb; Casey Aumick, sr., 6-4, 245, offensive lineman; C.J. Reeves, sr., 5-10, 255, ol; A.J. Allard, sr., 6-4, 245, dl; Derick Peterson, sr., 6-4, 205, dl; Tony Hook, jr., 5-9, 165, tb.
Non-league game: At Lewiston, Oct. 6
Coach’s comments: “We’re going to be better in late October. Hopefully we’ll get to November. We’re back to where we were in ‘96 and ‘97 and maybe even farther along program wise.”
Outlook: The word from Bulldogville is Sandpoint could be better than its ‘97 state winner. By season’s end many could be asking `Who let the dogs out?!’ If Sandpoint knocks off LC in the opener the ‘Dogs supplant T-Wolves as league champs. Otherwise, Sandpoint will have to settle for second, a state playoff berth and a possible rematch with LC in November.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
1999 records: 5-3, 5-5
Coach: Shawn Amos
Years coaching, record: 6th, 4th at CdA, 18-27-1
Starters, lettermen returning: 15, 23
Base offense; base defense: Offset I, 4-3
Key players: Paul Ziegler, sr., 6-0, 185, rb/db; Kyle Ahlf, sr., 6-1, 180, qb; Kraig Sigler, sr., 6-2, 285, ol/dl; Blake Whiteman, sr., 5-10, 170, wide receiver/db; Brian Babcock, sr., 5-11, 215, ol/lb; Ben Wolfe, sr., 6-2, 215, lb/ol; Chris Goodwin, jr., 5-9, 160, rb/db; Brandon Holder, jr., 6-3, 190, wr/safety.
Non-league game: Season opener, at Lakeland
Coach’s comments: “We’re still an unproven entity. We haven’t beat (Lake City or Sandpoint) yet. We were a good team last year. We expect to be a lot better this year.”
Outlook: The seniors were freshmen when Amos arrived on the scene. He and his staff have invested much time into a talented group. The Viks, player for player, may have the best skill athletes in the league. Now they have to show it on the field. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see CdA finish second or first.
Clarkston Bantams
1999 records: 4-4, 4-6
Coach: Dave Curtis
Years coaching, record: 23rd, 13th at Clarkston, 128-90-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 9, 15
Base offense; base defense: I, 4-4
Key players: Brian Baugh, sr., 6-2, 175, qb; Brian Hocum, sr., 5-10, 185, fb/de; Josh Sheppard, sr., 5-11, 188, guard/lb; Ken Cannon, sr., 5-11, 186, tackle/lb; Jeremy Schoonover, sr., 5-8, 178, c/de; Ryan Gillie, jr., 6-1, 225, g/dt; Jason Clovis, sr., 5-11, 160, wr/cb; Brad Tucker, sr., 6-0, 155, fs/wr.
Non-league game: vs. Lewiston, Sept. 29 Coach’s comments: “Having a returning quarterback is a big key. As the year went on last year he became very good. He has the potential to be a good one.”
Outlook: With an experienced quarterback and capable running backs and wide receivers, the Bantams will pose problems for defenses. They’re given slight nod to earn the lone playoff berth among the Frontier schools.
Cheney Blackhawks
1999 records: 6-2, 8-3
Coach: Tom Oswald
Years coaching, record: 24th, 22nd at Cheney, 149-77-7
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 15
Base offense; base defense: Wing T, 5-2
Key players: Ben Woodard, sr., 6-4, 215, lb/te/wr; Tyler Marsh, sr., 6-0, 205, lb; Tom Townsend, sr., 6-4, 215, dt; J.D. Larson, sr., 6-0, 170, fs; Rhett Humphrey, jr., 6-0, 165, qb; Peter Gresham, jr., 6-0, 165, placekicker; Jesse Volesky, sr., 6-4, 170, wr; Adam Pegg, sr., 6-0, 170, fb.
Non-league game: vs. Medical Lake, Sept. 15
Coach’s comments: “I’m excited about the young kids we have. We may start five sophomores. We’re young, but those guys will get better as we go along.”
Outlook: No team probably starts tougher than Cheney. The Blackhawks open agaisnt favored Lake City, are home against non-league rival Medical Lake and travel to Sandpoint. Cheney could be most improved team by late October.
Post Falls Trojans
1999 records: 3-5, 3-6
Coach: Jeff Choate
Years coaching, record: 6th, 4th at Post Falls, 20-22-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 22
Base offense; base defense: Split backs, 4-3
Key players: Steve Alegria, sr., 6-2, 225, te/dt; Jason Frink, sr., 6-4, 240, ol/dl; Dan Agte, sr., 6-2, 240, ol/dl; Dutch Deleonard, 6-1, 280, ol/dl; Kyle Hutchison, sr., 6-1, 155, wr/rb/db; Griffin Gabourie, sr., 5-10, 170, lb; Nathan Sinclair, sr., 6-1, 205, lb; Matt Kane, jr., 6-0, 160, qb.
Non-league game: At Lakeland, Sept. 22
Coach’s comments: “(The season’s) already a success. We’ve turned the corner in terms of attitude. It’s the best group of senior leadership I’ve had.”
Outlook: But attitude and leadership only can take a team so far. Post Falls’ glaring deficiency is skill players. The Trojans will win many trench wars, but they don’t have a player who can go the distance for a touchdown.
Colville Indians
1999 records: 1-7, 1-8
Coach: Randy Cornwall
Years coaching, record: 4th, 7-20
Starters, lettermen returning: 11, 15
Base offense; base defense: Pro style, 4-3
Key players: David Camp, sr., 5-7, 160, rb/ss; Brett Ferguson, sr., 6-1, 175, wr/fs; Chris Lowry, sr., 5-10, 175, tb; Josh Sampson, sr., 5-9, 150, flanker; Nick Vaccarezza, sr., 6-2, 220, g/dt.
Non-league game: vs. Chewelah, Oct. 20
Coach’s comments: “We’re improved. We’ll be a little more balanced offensively than last year. It’s going to be a tense battle for (the playoff berth).”
Outlook: Colville may not have the numbers of Cheney or Clarkston, but the Indians believe they can challenge. Colville can’t afford key injuries.
Moscow Bears
1999 records: 3-5, 3-6
Coach: Jaxon Schweickert
Years coaching, record: 5th, 3rd at Moscow, 19-20
Starters, lettermen returning: 12, 27
Base offense; base defense: Spread option, 4-3
Key players: Darnell Williams, sr., 6-4, 180, wr/cb; Drew Burton, sr., 6-4, 280, ol/dl; Josh Davis, sr., 5-9, 170, qb/cb; Dane Gibbs, jr., 5-11, 215, fb/lb; Nate Page, jr., 6-2, 171, wr/s; Eric Sprenger, jr., 5-9, 140, rb; Nick Barker, sr., 5-7, 170, rb/strong safety; Dan Bassler, sr., 5-11, 175, rb/ss; Joel Sumner, sr., 5-8, 170, rb/ss; Jay Drage, jr., 5-11, 195, g/lb; Brandon Richards, sr., 6-3, 223, te/de.
Non-league game: At Pullman, Sept. 8
Coach’s comments: “The big key for us is whether our offensive line can hold together. If it does we can be a spoiler for a couple of teams.”
Outlook: If the Bears lose a key lineman they may not win a game. That’s how thin things are in the trenches. Moscow’s strength is speed. They’ll need it to counter the two-platoon systems at LC and Sandpoint.
West Valley Eagles
1999 records: 0-8, 0-9
Coach: Tim Trout
Years coaching, record: 2nd, 0-9
Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 12
Base offense; base defense: Spread, 5-2
Key players: Jordan Allen, sr., 6-2, 220, lb/fb; Craig McIntyre, sr., 6-2, 170, wr/db; Matt Risley, sr., 5-8, 170, fb/db; Craig Collins, sr., 6-0, 220, ol/dl; Rob Canfield, sr., 5-8, 170, wr/lb; Anthony Hernandez, sr., 5-9, 180, wr/db; Tyler Dykes, sr., 6-0, 215, ol/dl; Justin Rouse, jr., 6-0, 180, qb.
Non-league game: At East Valley, Oct. 13
Coach’s comments: “Our returning skill guys have good speed and they have all been to battle. We’re much improved and ready to go in the VERY tough league.”
Outlook: The Eagles aren’t anything like they were last season. But it may not show in the category most used to measure success - wins. The Eagles will have to get a couple of breaks and stay injury-free to avoid the cellar.
This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch
Ben Woodard, senior, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, linebacker/wide receiver, Cheney
Paul Ziegler, sr., 6-0, 185, running back/defensive back, Coeur d’Alene
Tyler Scott, sr., 6-4, 230, linebacker, Sandpoint
Doug Blaty, sr., 5-10, 180, running back, Lake City
Brian Baugh, sr., 6-2, 175, quarterback, Clarkston
Steve Alegria, sr., 6-2, 225, tight end/defensive tackle, Post Falls
Kyle Ahlf, sr., 6-1, 180, quarterback, Coeur d’Alene
Brenden Delewese, sr., 5-10, 205, fullback, Sandpoint
Jeff Edwards, sr., 6-3, 225, defensive tackle, Lake City
Tom Townsend, sr., 6-4, 215, defensive tackle, Cheney
Darnell Williams, sr., 6-4, 180, wide receiver, Moscow
Chris Lowry, sr., 5-10, 175, tailback, Colville
Drew Burton, sr., 6-4, 280, lineman, Moscow
See 2 related stories under the headlines: 1. Time to turn the corner (Idaho edition) 2. Washington teams just trying to survive (Spokane edition)