Brett Winn brings his A game

Post Falls High senior Brett Winn had no idea what to expect when he switched from defensive back to wide receiver this year.

With two games remaining in the regular season, Winn is on pace to break the single-season record for most receptions (51) set last year by Levi Buckles. Winn has 40 catches for 506 yards and five touchdowns.

“I really didn’t know how it would go,” the 5-foot-9, 150-pound Winn said. “I knew I was going to play a lot, but I didn’t know I’d have this many catches.”

Post Falls coach Jeff Hinz didn’t do a good job telling Winn how big a role he would play this year. All Hinz had to do was see Winn at summer camp to know he would have a significant impact.

“He was playing baseball and he could only be at camp the first two days,” Hinz said. “We noticed that when he wasn’t there that our offensive production dropped off. At that point we definitely planned to use him at wide receiver.”

Wide receiver was a position hit hard by graduation. So Hinz was ecstatic that he found a capable replacement that had starting experience – even if that starting experience was as a defender of wide receivers.

“It was a wide-open position and we needed somebody to come in and elevate their play,” Hinz said. “And Brett elevated his play.”

Hinz decided not to have Winn be a two-way starter. But out of necessity the coach started Winn at both positions two games ago, and Winn responded with an interception. He’ll finish the season playing both ways.

Prior to this season, the last time Winn remembered playing wide receiver was in Junior Tackle.

There’s no doubt which position is his favorite.

“I like wide receiver better,” Winn said. “I’ve really surprised myself with how much success I’ve had. I was just happy to get my first touchdown.”

Winn blossomed immediately. His best game was against Lake City, when he had 10 catches.

“He’s gone over and beyond our expectations,” Hinz said. “He’s been our best offensive weapon.”

Winn’s play also earned him a leadership role as a team captain.

“I’ve gotten more confident as the season’s gone along,” Winn said.

Speed isn’t one of the Trojans’ assets. Winn definitely ranks among the Trojans’ top three fastest players.

Winn has used his quickness to pick up most of his yards after catches.

“I’m not really fast, but I’m quick within the routes that we use,” Winn said.

Post Falls is 2-5 with a nonleague game Friday at Lakeland and a final league game at home against Coeur d’Alene on Halloween.

The Trojans still have a mathematical hope of reaching the state playoffs. To have a chance, though, they need help from other teams to get into a position to be in a three-way tie for a playoff berth.

The season has been full of frustrations.

“It’s been frustrating because we think we’re one of the better teams in the state,” Winn said. “We just haven’t put together our offense and defense for four quarters. We’ve played with good teams; we just can’t seem to get over the hump. We’ve had breakdowns at critical points in the games.

“I really think we have the talent to beat the top teams. We just haven’t gotten it done. The frustrating thing now is there are some things out of our control. We need help.”

The Trojans were in a similar situation last year. Although they finished the regular season with a win over Coeur d’Alene, they fell just short of qualifying for the state playoffs.

A three-sport athlete, Winn hopes to make the varsity basketball team after playing on the junior varsity last year. His favorite sport is baseball. He started at second base as a sophomore and at shortstop last year.

He spent last summer playing on a traveling baseball team based out of Spokane Valley. The team used wooden bats instead of the aluminum bats used in the high school season.

“I think it will make me a better hitter this year,” Winn said.

Winn was a second team all-league selection last year, and Trojans baseball coach Mick Zeller expects Winn to be the top shortstop in the league this spring.

“He’s an all-around good player. He was the leader of our team last year,” Zeller said.

Winn wants to play baseball in college.

“I really like football a lot, but my love is baseball,” Winn said. “Football has been a lot of fun this year because I’ve been an offensive weapon and feel like I’ve made an impact.”

He’s not ready for it to end either.

“I just want to finish the season strong, win out and hope that things work out in our favor (for the postseason),” Winn said.