Experience Should Boost West Valley’S Chances

A year in the Border League proved to be an eye-opener for West Valley football coach Tim Trout.

His Eagles, winless last year in nine games, found themselves up against schools with enrollments two and three times WV’s size.

“I wish we could do something different league-wise,” said Trout.

It’s tough to succeed when an Idaho opponent suits up as many as 200 players and WV’s entire school enrollment is in the 500s.

Next best thing is to win against Washington Border foes Cheney, Colville and Clarkston. And the more experienced Eagles have a chance.

“If we get good line play, our skill guys are not bad,” said Trout. “They have good speed and got stronger in the off-season, so the line is where we’ve got to make sure they’re playing hard.”

WV’s home opener Friday comes against Border favorite Sandpoint.

Meanwhile, Northeast A schools Freeman and Liberty are readying their league against nonleague foes.

Their hope is to challenge favorites Colfax and Kettle Falls for league supremacy this year.

The Scotties travel against Great Northern League 2A team Deer Park. The Lancers host Northeast B-11 playoff team Reardan.

Eagles field stronger nucleus

Last year was a case of putting WV’s feet to the Border League fire with practically a new team.

The results weren’t pretty, but several returning players benefited from the experience.

Among them are fullback/defensive back Matt Risley, 220-pound fullback/linebacker Jordan Allen and wide receiver/defensive backs Anthony Hernandez and Craig McIntyre.

“Matt and Jordan are both ready to go,” said Trout. “Anthony went to intensive wrestling camp and came back a changed man. And Craig has really improved. They’ll be on the field quite a bit.”

Center Travis Collins and Tyler Dykes are the only linemen with a lot of experience, leaving a burden on young newcomers like sophomore Conrad Manfred.

“He’s going to be a great player for us before his career is over,” said Trout. “His motor is awesome.”

Veteran receiver/linebacker Rob Canfield, linebacker Ryan Scoggin, newcomer skilled position players senior B.J. Harris, juniors Brent Mertens, Trevor Allen and lineman Gabe Giraud will figure heavily.

New quarterback, junior Justin Rouse, said the coach, is the best overall he’s had to date at WV.

“When he was a freshman he asks for a football and doesn’t show up the rest of the summer,” said Trout. “I thought `dammit, I’m never giving out another ball.’ In the fall he comes back with the ball ready to go.”

Youthful Freeman starts anew

Only six letter winners, all starters, return to run the newly installed veer offense of second-year Scotties coach Jeff Smith.

But that’s more than the four starters he inherited a year ago, so Smith is not pessimistic.

“I’m confident if we stay away from injuries, we can be very competitive,” said Smith.

Last year he didn’t change much from his predecessor. This year he’s installed his own scheme to take advantage of a small, but mobile line.

One of them is lone remaining senior, two-way line veteran Jake Johnson.

“Seniors made other choices which made it tough on Jake,” said Smith. “I tell you what, I’m proud of that guy.”

Starters back are quarterback Jake DePell, running back Justin Carter, receivers Matt Baird, Dan Schrempp and lineman/linebacker Nate Parker, all juniors.

“We’ll rely on Jake and Justin quite a bit,” said Smith. “And the receivers will have to make plays.”

Running back Tyson Marchand, also a junior, and sophomore lineman Nick Jordan are other key players this year.

Possible starters are linemen Allen Johnson, Stewart Davis, skilled position Chris Collett, Dave Lawrence, Mike Parker, Matt Miller and Justin Patterson.

Last year, when Freeman finished third in the four-team NEA last season, ahead of Liberty, Scotties turnovers and penalties thwarted offensive continuity.

Lancers depend on young line

Rod Fletcher will start two sophomores, three juniors and a senior on the offensive line for Liberty, in its second year of Northeast A League play.

The senior, James Jydstrup, is out for football for the first time.

“We’re real inexperienced up there,” Fletcher said of the O-line.

His quarterback, senior Ben Holling, had a cast taken off his throwing arm last Monday. He broke his arm in a summer league basketball game.

“That will be a big determination on how well we do,” Fletcher said of how fast Holling finds his rhythm. “He’s our quarterback and does a lot of things for us.”

Fletcher likes his teams chances to improve in the standings this fall.

“Overall we’re better than a year ago,” he said. “We’re more experienced and know what to expect competing in the A league. We worked hard to get stronger. That’s what we lacked last year. We weren’t as strong as the teams we played.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: 2000 Football Schedules West Valley

Friday - Sandpoint, 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 15 - at Lake City, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 22 - Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept 29 - at Post Falls, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 6 - Colville, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 13 - at East Valley, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 20 - at Moscow, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 27 - at Cheney, 7 p.m.

Thur., Nov. 2 - Clarkston, 7 p.m. Freeman

Friday - at Deer Park, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 15 - Tekoa/Oakesdale, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 22 - Newport, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept 29 - at Colfax, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 6 - Liberty, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 13 - at Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 20 - Colfax, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 27 - at Liberty, 7 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 3 - Kettle Falls, 7 p.m. Liberty

Friday - Reardan, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 15 - at Ritzville, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 22 - Oroville, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept 29 - Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 6 - at Freeman, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 13 - at Colfax, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 20 - at Ketttle Falls, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 27 - Freeman, 7 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 3 - Colfax, 7 p.m.