Colson Yankoff returns, and Coeur d’Alene cruises past Mead

It was a good news, good news and bad news development Saturday night for the Coeur d’Alene and Mead football teams.

First, it was good news that they caught a break in the weather and played.

Second, it was good news that uber talented senior quarterback Colson Yankoff made his season debut for Coeur d’Alene.

Third, it was bad news that uber talented senior quarterback Colson Yankoff made his debut against Mead.

Yankoff didn’t look one bit rusty. His presence was an inspiration, and the Vikings rode it – along with standout play by running back Caleb Beggerly – to a 62-43 win in a nonleague game that wasn’t that close.

“He’s a special playmaker,” CdA coach Shawn Amos said.

By halftime, the University of Washington-bound Yankoff had accounted for 293 of the Vikings’ 406 yards. He rushed for 156 yards on four carries for three touchdowns and completed 10 of 16 passes for 137 yards and a TD.

“I’ve been doing my time. It was time to come out and do what I’ve been trained to do,” Yankoff said. “Everything feels good. I just got to get back into the swing of things.”

Well, that could be scary.

Yankoff finished with 161 yards rushing and four TDs and threw for 180.

“Our guys did the job tonight and that’s all we can ask,” Yankoff said.

Beggerly finished with 188 yards rushing and two TD scampers of 70 and 89 yards, to go with a game-opening 88-yard punt return for a score.

“Pretty dynamic,” Amos said of Yankoff. “We’ve got a lot of good players and adding him really makes us pretty dynamic on the offensive side of the ball. He’s fast, really fast. And with the running backs we have pick one (to defend).”

CdA (2-1) led 48-21 at halftime. The Viks extended their lead to 62-28 before Mead (0-2) added two late scores.