Soccer preview
Boys soccer
5A
Lake City Timberwolves
2002 records: 8-5-4 overall, 5-3-4 league
Current records: 2-1, 0-1
Coach: Adriano Eva
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 12
Key players: Robert Cook, senior, goalkeeper; Alex Day, sr., defender; Cody Steele, junior, forward; Brandon Wood, sophomore, midfielder; Pat Jewell, soph., f.
Coach’s comments: “I think we’re going to be one of the toughest teams to beat. I don’t know if we’re the favorite. Get back to me in six or seven games and I should know.”
Outlook: The Timberwolves are favored to dethrone defending regional champ Coeur d’Alene and earn the automatic state berth. LC may challenge Sandpoint for the league title.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
2002 records: 15-4-2, 9-2-1
Current records: 1-2-1, 0-0-1
Coach: Eric Louis
Years coaching: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 9
Key players: Mike Vredenburg, sr., f; KC Kirk, sr., mf; Brian McMurdie, sr., d; Trey Leonard, sr., d; Kyle Wise, jr., utility; Joe Hanich, sr., mf; Jalon Eborall, freshman, f.
Coach’s comments: “We’re less experienced, but we’re no less talented than we were last year.”
Outlook: CdA graduated the nucleus that led it to a state runner-up finish. Louis takes over for John Smith, who enjoyed a highly successful run. The Vikings have enough talent to challenge LC for the regional title.
Lewiston Bengals
2002 records: 8-6-4, 5-4-3
Current records: 0-2, 0-1
Coach: Jeff Maucione
Years coaching: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 8
Key players: Lance Peterson, sr., d; Iovko Margaritov, jr., mf; Reny Follett, sr., mf; Adam Myklebust, sr., d; Jim Reno, sr., mf.
Coach’s comments: “They’re a hard-working group. We’re just a little disorganized on the attack right now.”
Outlook: Maucione, who takes over for Jim Hill, isn’t going to panic after a 0-2 start. He sees his team making measurable improvement. But it won’t be enough to challenge LC or CdA.
4A
Sandpoint Bulldogs
2002 records: 19-1-1, 11-0-1
Current records: 2-0, 1-0
Coach: Randy Thoreson
Years coaching: 7th
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 9
Key players: Anthony Sorentino, sr., d; Chris Hepperley, sr., f; Kyle Van Dyk, jr., f; Joey Dibble, sr., d; Gunnar Paulsen, fr., d; Chase Lowther, jr., mf; Seth Baker, jr., gk.
Coach’s comments: “We’re not as strong as we’ve been in the past. Patience is going to be a key word.”
Outlook: It won’t take Thoreson’s Bulldogs long to reach the competitive level he desires. In fact, Sandpoint is still favored to win the league title and challenge for gold at state.
Moscow Bears
2002 records: 3-10-4, 2-6-4
Current records: 0-1
Coach: Matt Rowton
Years coaching: 5th
Starters, lettermen returning: 9, 11
Key players: Peter Beard, sr., gk; Andy Rust, sr., f; Tyson Metlin, sr., d; Scott Gressard, sr., mf; Russel Dudley, sr., mf; Sam Johnson, jr., mf; Justin Kuska, jr., d.
Coach’s comments: “If we’re going to get to the top of the food chain, this is the year.”
Outlook: Eleven seniors are at the heart of the Bears’ big hopes. Moscow will challenge for the league title, but will probably have to settle for a runner-up spot behind Sandpoint.
Post Falls Trojans
2002 records: 3-12-4, 0-8-4
Current records: 4-0-1, 2-0-1
Coach: Gabe Lawson
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 11
Key players: Ashley Evans, jr., mf; Casey Schooley, jr., mf; David Brandi, sr., d; Nick Rowley, sr., d; Chris Stobie, sr., gk.
Coach’s comments: “The program has taken big steps. We look like we can finally compete with Sandpoint, Lake City and Coeur d’Alene.”
Outlook: The Trojans are still trying to cut the gap between themselves and the traditional challengers. Post Falls won’t be the usual pushover it has been in the past.
Lakeland Hawks
2002 records: 4-11-1, 1-10-1
Current records: 0-2, 0-1
Coach: Nick Haynes
Years coaching: 5th
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 10
Key players: Ben Ward, sr., gk; Kirby Small, sr., d; Shane Stuermer, sr., mf; Gary Frank, jr., mf; Micky Webb, jr., mf.
Coach’s comments: “Offensively, we’re pretty young. Hopefully we’ll get competitive as we go along in league.”
Outlook: That’s a realistic goal for the Hawks. Lakeland must make strides to be competitive by season’s end.
3A
Bonners Ferry Badgers
2002 records: 14-5-1, 8-0
Current records: 1-1
Coach: Wayne Wilkerson
Years coaching: 6th
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 6
Key players: Cody Foster-Witko, sr., mf; Adam Hall, jr., mf; Jesus Mendez, soph., mf; Derek Oxford, sr., d; Eric Steinhorst, jr., gk.
Coach’s comments: “We’re not very big, but we’ve got some scrappers and fighters. I hope that makes a difference.”
Outlook: The Badgers are still the top 3A team until proven otherwise. Bonners Ferry will find this its most challenging season.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
2002 records: 2-15-1, 1-6-1
Current records: 3-2
Coach: Chris Renaldo
Years coaching: 4th
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 13
Key players: Nate Thurston, sr., mf; Loren Doman, sr., f; Luke Samford, jr., d; Joe Gilmore, sr., gk.
Coach’s comments: “So far it seems they’re understanding the team concept. We’re still a young program, but we have six seniors who have been with the team them four years now.”
Outlook: The Lumberjacks are poised to challenge Bonners Ferry for the district title and automatic state berth.
Priest River Spartans
Current record: 0-0
Coach: William Wayland
Key players: Ryan Rurey, sr., d; Ryan Klundt, jr., mf; Tim Karr, sr., gk.
Outlook: The first-year program believes it can challenge Bonners Ferry right out of the gate. Wayland will coach both the boys and girls teams.