From Lock To Bear-Ly Favored Loss Of Three Key Players Erodes Moscow’s Depth
Had you asked Intermountain League football coaches following the 1995 season which team would be the early favorite to win the league title this fall, the collective response would have been a unanimous chorus.
With a talented junior class returning, Moscow would have been a runaway favorite.
The Bears are still the favorite, but you can change the adjective from runaway to negligible.
Two returning two-way starting linemen (one expelled, one ineligible) and the top running back (Ryan Dudley, moved) are gone.
“We’ll have 11 good players going on each side of the line of scrimmage, but we’re not going to have (three) more good players on the sideline,” said coach Eric Bjorkman. “I always worry about depth, especially with our non-league schedule (Lewiston, Coeur d’Alene, Pullman, Clarkston). Those are physical teams and they can wear you down.”
And Moscow plays all four in the first five weeks of the season.
“Even with losing those kids you still have to give the edge to Moscow,” said Lakeland coach Terry Kiefer, whose team upset Moscow 21-14 in the final regular-season game last year to earn the league’s final playoff berth.
First or second, Moscow appears a lock for one of the league’s two playoff spots this fall. The last year the Bears advanced to the playoffs was 1992 when they captured the state championship.
It’s too early to say Moscow could win a state title this year. But if the Bears’ offensive line gels - and the potential is there - then Moscow is bound to play deep into November.
Who’s in second?
Lakeland, St. Maries and ever-improving Kellogg are expected to battle for second.
Interestingly, the first game on the league schedule features Lakeland at Kellogg on Sept. 20.
“We expect to be challenging and Kellogg will be right there, too,” said Kiefer, who could start as many as eight sophomores.
Said Bjorkman: “Kellogg will be much better than they were a year ago.”
Like Moscow, Lakeland and St. Maries rebuild their offensive lines.
Defending champ St. Maries may have several holes to fill, but “they’ll be more than adequate,” Kiefer predicts.
Early MVP candidate
If winning a league title comes down to one player, Moscow senior quarterback Adam Miller could provide the difference.
The 6-foot, 180-pound Miller can beat teams in many more ways than just throwing the ball.
He returns at placekicker and will also see time in the secondary.
As a starting point guard on the Bears’ basketball team last winter he led Moscow to a runner-up finish at state.
“He could start at five or six different positions,” Bjorkman said. “What’s refreshing about him is he’s not concerned about individual statistics. He’s a team player and that’s a big change for us from last year.”
Lakeland and St. Maries will look to a pair of capable juniors at QB.
Kurt Reese (6-4, 215) started the final four games for Lakeland last year and is the prototypical dropback quarterback. St. Maries promotes junior Skyler Willard (6-1, 175) from the junior varsity. He takes over for three-year starter Jason Holdahl.
“We’re not going to miss a beat with Skyler,” Carr said.
Toughest schedule?
Historically, Moscow boasts the most arduous schedule. But Lakeland may have an argument.
Moscow’s non-league slate include dates with A-1 Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene and Washington AA foes Pullman and Clarkston. Lakeland plays four A-1 Inland Empire League teams: Post Falls, Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene and Lake City.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Scores on-line tonight Find out the scores of tonight’s games on-line, on Virtually Northwest. Point your browser at: http://www.VirtuallyNW.com