Canger has big impact

Post Falls High calls Nick Canger its “fly back.”

Trojans opponents are calling him “hard to swat.”

Canger, who’s been buzzing through defenses at a 15-yards-per-carry clip, has been a huge factor in Post Falls’ impressive 3-0 start. His numbers have come despite his not-so-huge 5-foot-7, 155-pound frame.

In Canger’s case, however, lack of size doesn’t seem be an issue.

“Wheels are all I’ve got going for me,” said Canger, a senior who lines up as a wide receiver before going in motion and taking handoffs. “And it seems to be working pretty well.

“That’s pretty much it – I just run as hard as I can, I guess.”

He credits the blocking of junior fullback Bobby Kuber for much of his success.

“We’re the exact same size, so it’s pretty funny,” Canger said of Kuber. “But he just throws some great blocks.

“I wouldn’t have any long runs without him and the offensive line, too.”

That kind of teamwork has prep football fans talking, and for good reason, Canger said.

“We’re probably feeling as strong as we ever have as a team,” he said. “We’re really pulling together.”

Not insignificant in the success of the Trojans’ 2004 campaign was one of the biggest wins in school history, a 35-19 triumph over Lake City two weeks ago.

“I think we knew we could do it, and we kind of had the momentum already,” Canger said of the victory. “But it definitely gave us that extra boost of confidence. We beat a state championship team, and that just kind of helps you out a little bit.”

The River City’s orange-and-black chemistry set seems to be operating more efficiently than in recent years.

“I think we’re stronger this year as a team. We haven’t had one fight amongst ourselves,” Canger said. “When the coaches changed two years ago, there was a lot of debate and a lot of hoopla about who does what. But this year’s senior class and underneath just loves the game, and we just want to go out and play and we don’t care about the politics or any of that stuff – we’re like a family.”

Which begs the question: How far can the Trojans go?

“I think we can go undefeated,” said Canger, who points to a regular-season-ending showdown with Inland Empire League foe Sandpoint as the biggest obstacle. “If we can beat a Lake City, I think we have all the skills to do it.”