Inland empire league
In predicted order of finish:
5A
LAKE CITY TIMBERWOLVES
2004 record: 6-4 overall
Coach: Van Troxel
Years coaching, record: 27th, 149-121
Base offense, defense: Wingbone, 4-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 16
Key players: Chris Delport, senior, 6-foot, 180 pounds, wide receiver/cornerback; Kyle Ferebee, sr., 6-2, 190, running back/cb; Mike Vickhammer, sr., 6-2, 250, guard/defensive tackle; Dave Bobbitt, sr., 6-1, 205, linebacker/tight end; Steve Novotny, sr., 5-9, 165, safety/wr; Nick Vaudreul, sr., 5-11, 205, defensive end; Garren Hammons, junior, 5-11, 185, quarterback; Brandon Hanna, jr., 6-3, 205, rb/lb; Brad Bemis, sr., 6-3, 195, wr/s; Nolan Hout, sr., 6-2, 255, t/dt.
Coach’s comments: “In the last eight years we’ve been as good as anybody offensively. The key for us will be defense.”
Outlook: Last year, the Timberwolves had one of the most prolific offenses in the state. In fact, LC has had one of the most productive offenses in the state for several years. But the T-Wolves had a porous defense. For LC to capture the top 5A North state playoff seed, it must improve dramatically on defense.
COEUR D’ALENE VIKINGS
2004 record: 9-3, state runner-up
Coach: Shawn Amos
Years coaching, record: 11th, 9th at CdA, 51-43-1
Base offense, defense: Offset I, 4-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 9, 32
Key players: Kevin Ah-Hi, sr., 5-11, 200, rb/de; Jake Hall, sr., 6-1, 195, qb/lb; Neal Goodwin, 6-0, 174, s/fb; Shea Vucinich, jr., 5-11, 164, free safety/wr/qb; Jerrett Moss, sr., 5-9, 155, wr; Trevor Leaf, sr., 5-10, 185, lb; Brian Oliver, sr., 5-9, 230, offensive line; Jordan Noble, sr., 6-3, 226, ol; Scott Lind, sr., 5-9, 159, cb.
Coach’s comments: “We’re in the same spot this year that we were going into the season last year. We knew we’d either be good or really good last year. We know we’re going to be a good football team this year. How good depends on a lot of things – some we control, some we don’t control.”
Outlook: The Viks have all the ingredients to make another run at a state title. The chief roadblock along such a journey should come from LC. Ah-Hi will carry much of the offensive load. A talented linebacking corp will carry the defense.
LEWISTON BENGALS
2004 record: 3-6
Coach: Emmett Dougherty
Years coaching, record: 10th, 7th at Lewiston, 45-38
Base offense, defense: Spread, 4-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 12, 14
Key players: Brooks Reynolds, sr., 5-10, 205, rb; Noah McKay, jr., 5-6, 150, rb/cb; Luke Fitzpatrick, sr., 6-2, 230, g/de; Mark Skogrand, jr., 6-2, 270, c/dt; Clay Allen, sr., 6-3, 200, wr/lb; Beau Blewitt, sr., 6-6, 200, wr/de; Trevor Williams, sr., 6-3, 250, t/de; Shane Moser, jr., 5-10, 175, qb; Cody Hays, sophomore, 6-4, 280, t/de.
Coach’s comments: “If we stay injury free we’ll be able to compete with Coeur d’Alene and Lake City. It’ll be a dogfight for the two (playoff berths).”
Outlook: The Bengals will be much improved, but it won’t be enough to challenge for a state playoff berth. Lewiston doesn’t have the overall depth or enough athletes to knock off either LC or CdA.
4A
SANDPOINT BULLDOGS
2004 record: 8-2
Coach: Sean Dorris
Years coaching, record: 2nd, 8-2
Base offense, defense: Flex I, 4-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 20
Key players: Andrew Meaux, sr., 6-2, 225, lb/te; Chad Hecker, sr., 5-9, 155, wr/cb; Sheldon Cramer, sr., 5-11, 215, g; Nic Uhnak, sr., 5-9, 190, nose guard; Will Andrews, jr., 6-0, 180, lb; Joey Lovell, sr., 5-11, 175, qb/db; Matt Lawrence, soph., 6-3, 215.
Coach’s comments: “We hope our defense can keep us in games while our offense matures. We’re way ahead defensively right now.”
Outlook: The stiffest test Sandpoint could face on its journey to the 4A state playoffs won’t come from a league opponent. No, the Bulldogs may have to overcome a key injury or two. Sandpoint doesn’t have the depth it has enjoyed in recent years, and a key injury or two could prove difficult for the ‘Dogs to overcome.
POST FALLS TROJANS
2004 record: 8-2
Coach: Jeff Hinz
Years coaching, record: 1st
Base offense, defense: Fly, 4-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 11, 21
Key players: Troy Clark, sr., 5-10, 185, lb; Aaron Drapeau, sr., 6-2, 205, lb/te; Dan Fetterhoff, sr., 5-9, 200, ng; Jon Heffley, sr., 5-10, 215, dl; Dan Lett, sr., 5-11, 195, lb; Chris Wilhelm, sr., 5-10, 180, fs; Dan Hamilton, sr., 5-9, 175, rb; Bobby Kuber, sr., 5-9, 165, rb; Nick Mehalechko, sr., 6-1, 185, wr; Steven Hudec, sr., 6-3, 205, te; Jon Aune, jr., 5-10, 190, flyback; Dusty Mulleley, sr., 5-11, 280, center; Kelly Jensen, sr., 6-1, 255, t; Cody Stockman, jr., 6-0, 235, g; Brandon Woods, sr., 6-2, 225, t; Corey Lamb, jr., 6-3, 245, g.
Coach’s comments: “We graduated a ton. We have some big shoes to fill. But our kids’ attitudes have been great since I took over. They’ve been focused and their work ethic is outstanding.”
Outlook: It won’t take the Trojans long to discover that the 2004 season was one of those storybook years. Post Falls lost much to graduation. While the Trojans have numbers, they lack proven depth. If Sandpoint stumbles, Post Falls will provide a stern test.
LAKELAND HAWKS
2004 record: 3-6
Coach: Tim Kiefer
Years coaching, record: 5th, 3rd at Lakeland, 14-22
Base offense, defense: Wing T, 4-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 13
Key players: Bubba Bartlett, jr., 6-2, 195, te/lb; Chase Roberts, jr., 5-8, 165, rb/cb; Josh Wuest, sr., 6-1, 195, g/lb; Ian Kelsey, sr., 6-3, 195, cb/wr; Jack Vanderlinden, jr., 5-8, 155, qb; Lynn Mallory, jr., 6-2, 215, t/de; Steven Storrs, jr., 5-10, 220, ng/g; Brenden Biggs, sr., 5-7, 185, rb/lb; Ross Heitstuman, jr., 5-10, 235, g/dt; Blake Lyden, jr., 5-11, 195, t/de.
Coach’s comments: “Our kids have great attitudes right now – the best attitudes we’ve had at Lakeland in the last three years. If things don’t go our way for a couple games they won’t turn. They’ll keep their spirits high and keep working hard.”
Outlook: The Hawks will be vastly improved, but it will not translate into many league victories – at least not this season. With the bulk of their talent residing in their junior class, the Hawks are a year away from challenging for their first 4A state playoff berth.
MOSCOW BEARS
2004 record: 1-8
Coach: Doug Fisher
Years coaching, record: 2, 1-8
Base offense, defense: Pro style, 5-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 20
Key players: Phil Helbling, sr., 5-11, 192, rb/ss; Kelly Otto, sr., 6-0, 180, qb/db; Paul Wimer, jr., 6-3, 195, de/qb; Grant Furtado, sr., 6-0, 170, wr/db; Justin Roberts, sr., 6-2, 195, rb/te/lb; Brad Herrenbruck, sr., 6-5, 230, ol/de; Ross Steele, sr., 6-5, 221, ol/lb; Cody Line, sr., 6-1, 172, wr/db; Nate Dail, sr., 5-8, 170, rb/lb.
Coach’s comments: “I’m very excited and the kids are extremely excited. They’ve worked hard since the last football game (last year). Hopefully we’ll see some benefit from that this year.”
Outlook: There’s reason for optimism in Moscow. But the Bears still have miles to go before they can seriously contend for a 4A state playoff berth. A softened up non-league schedule will allow Moscow an opportunity to finish with a winning record overall.