Intermountain League Football
In predicted order of finish:
Moscow Bears
1995 record: 3-2 IML, 6-3
Coach: Eric Bjorkman
Years coaching, record: 24, 169-77-1
Top returners: Adam Miller, 6-0, 180, senior, quarterback/placekicker/defensive back; Drew Owen, 6-8, 285, sr., right guard/defensive tackle; Shawn Richards, 6-1, 185, sr., center/defensive end; Josh Yarno, 6-4, 185, jr., qb/lb; Travis Pool, 6-2, 190, sr., wide receiver/db; Russ Cosgrove, 6-2, 190, jr., rb/lb.
Top newcomers: Scott Benson, 5-6, 170, jr., rb; Mike Huard, 6-1, 195, sr., rb/lb; Jake Reisenauer, 6-0, 180, jr., ot/dt.
Quick kicks: If Moscow builds an adequate offensive line it could light up the scoreboard. They have the capability of being a big-play, strike-quick team.
Coach’s comment: “Last year was probably the most difficult year in terms of off the field things. We had absolutely no leadership and what we did have was bad leadership. This team is going to be a lot more fun to coach and it’s a lot more fun to them.”
Outlook: Moscow will end a three-year playoff drought. The Bears could be beatable, though, if they suffer key injuries during non-league play. “Regardless of whether we win one single game it’s going to be a better season than last year,” Bjorkman said.
Lakeland Hawks
1995 record: 4-1, 5-5
Coach: Terry Kiefer
Years coaching, record: 18, 115-55-1
Top returners: Kurt Reese, 6-4, 215, jr., qb; Harrison Bertsch, 6-2, 190, sophomore, db/rb; Randy Foote, 5-8, 170, sr., rb; Andy Olson, 6-0, 180, jr., center/ dt; Mike Larsen, 5-11, 170, sr., db/wr; Brady White, 6-0, 215, sr., lb; Jon Bauck, 5-10, 175, sr., db/rb.
Top newcomers: Jason Hindberg, 5-11, 165, soph., rb; Brian Perkins, 5-8, 215, sr., center; Chad Lunceford, 6-2, 200, ot/ dt; Levi Cushman, 6-3, 190, soph., ot/dt; Dan Ross, 5-11, 170, jr., wr/db.
Quick kicks: Lakeland could start as many as six to eight sophomores.
Coach’s comment: “I think we’ll be right in the hunt before it’s over. The kids have been pretty quick learners. Even though we’re fairly young, we’re fairly skilled at the skill positions.”
Outlook: It was quite an accomplishment that a rather mediocre Lakeland team managed to earn a state playoff berth last year. Kiefer isn’t calling this a rebuilding year. It’s more like the Hawks are retooling. Lakeland could finish as high as first or as low as fourth. Look for the Hawks to land near the top of the IML nest.
Kellogg Wildcats
1995 record: 2-3, 4-4-1
Coach: Shawn Amos
Years coaching, record: 2, 4-4-1
Top returners: Josh Easley, 5-9, 155, sr., rb/db; Tyrel Hendrix, 6-0, 215, sr., og/dt; Seth Rice, 6-4, 215, sr., lt/de; Pat Slusher, 5-9, 170, sr., db/wr; Nathan Corkill, 6-2, 170, sr., wr/fs; Cory Lewis, 5-9, 155, jr., lb/fb.
Top newcomers: Brian Carlson, 5-11, 185, jr., qb; Mike Mercado, 6-1, 175, sr., wr; Nathan Baldwin, 5-10, 185, sr., lb; Dave Black, 6-0, 275, sr., rt.
Quick kicks: Amos, a Moscow native, is trying to pattern the Wildcats after his high school team. He’s stolen a couple of assistants from his former coach (Eric Bjorkman). Moscow assistant Bob Monk (defensive back/running back) joins the Kellogg staff.
Coach’s comment: “We want to be one of the teams fighting for a playoff spot, but we’re not there yet. We’ll hopefully be in the top two, but realistically we’ll probably finish third.”
Outlook: To earn a playoff berth, Kellogg must knock off Lakeland or Moscow. The schedule favors such a scenario as the Wildcats entertain both teams (Lakeland on Sept. 13, Moscow on Oct. 11). And Amos is well aware of it. Easley, the top returning running back in the league (1,271 yards last season), will be the center of Kellogg’s offense again. He scored three touchdowns in Kellogg’s 39-6 season-opening win over Lapwai.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
1995 record: 5-0 league champ, 9-1
Coach: Curt Carr
Years coaching, record: 11, 64-42
Top returners: D.J. Eberlin, 6-1, 180, jr., te/fs; Lane Watkins, 6-2, 205, sr., og/lb; Jake Taisey, 5-9, 165, jr., rb/db; Mark Raebel, 6-2, 195, jr., te/de; Jim Nelson, 5-11, 185, sr., dt; Toby Epler, 6-2, 170, sr., db; Sam Robins, 5-10, 180, jr., dt.
Top newcomers: David Pock, 6-0, 200, jr., de/ol; Justin Hall, 5-10, 190, jr., rb/lb; Jeremy Craner, 6-0, 160, sr., wr/db; Skyler Willard, 6-1, 175, jr., qb; Andy Baerlocher, 6-0, 270, sr., center.
Quick kicks: Carr considered resigning last year, but decided there was enough returning talent to pull him back for another shot at a playoff berth.
Coach’s comment: “Skill-wise we’re solid. The offensive line is where we’re the youngest, but we’re pretty athletic there. I see us fighting for second.”
Outlook: St. Maries lined up and played smash-mouth football last year. That element is gone. Still, the Lumberjacks find themselves in the same situation as Lakeland and Kellogg. Don’t be surprised if St. Maries is playing for a playoff berth the next-to-last game of the season when Moscow visits.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1995 record: 0-5, 2-7
Coach: Ted Reynolds
Years coaching, record: 2, 5-4, 1st at BF
Top returners: Todd Van Gundy, 6-0, 180, sr., qb; Adam Hiatt, 6-1, 170, sr., rb/ db; Brian Meeker, 6-3, 175, sr., wr; Jacob Johnson, 5-10, 170, sr., ol/dl; Rhett Winey, 6-0, 185, sr., fb/lb; Levi Robertson, 6-0, 180, sr., lb.
Top newcomers: Josh Stanley, 6-0, 170, sr., db; Clint Arthur, 5-10, 160, sr., db.
Quick kicks: Reynolds steps into a difficult situation. Three levies failed this year, forcing school officials to institute a pay-to-play policy. Each player had to pay $100 before joining the team. “I’ve got to believe it’s cost us some athletes, especially in our sophomore class,” Reynolds said.
Coach’s comment: “I know we’ll be the underdog on paper. But if we stay healthy the kids we put on the field will be competitive.”
Outlook: The Badgers have been known for their ox-like offensive and defensive lines, but they will field a pair of the smallest lines in 10 years. And they’ll be inexperienced, too. Unless they mature quickly the Badgers’ skill players will be running for their lives.
Priest River Spartans
1995 record: 1-4, 5-4
Coach: Norm Stark
Years coaching, record: 4, 9-18
Top returners: Jeff Griesemer, 6-3, 185, jr., qb/db; Larry Johnson, 5-10, 170, sr., wr/db; Joey Young, 5-11, 175, sr., rb/lb; Josh Queen, 6-1, 235, jr., ot/dt.
Top newcomers: Allen Rodgers, 5-10, 170, jr., rb/lb; Clark Kawamoto, 5-10, 195, jr., rb/lb.
Quick kicks: The Spartans have just six seniors, but large junior and sophomore classes boosted the turnout to 60.
Coach’s comment: “We think we can be competitive out of the league, but it’s a rebuilding year for us. One of the highlights for us is getting to play in the Kibbie Dome (against Moscow).”
Outlook: Priest River’s inexperience was glaring in a season-opening 25-0 loss at Orofino. The Spartans should right some of their problems when they make their home debut Friday against a young Timberline team. If the Spartans lose, they may not be able to erase the goose egg in the win column the rest of the season.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch 1. Adam Miller, 6-foot, 180 pounds, senior, quarterback/placekicker/ defensive back, Moscow 2. Kurt Reese, 6-4, 215, junior, quarterback, Lakeland 3. Drew Owen, 6-8, 285, senior, offensive guard/defensive tackle, Moscow 4. Randy Foote, 5-8, 170, senior, running back, Lakeland 5. D.J. Eberlin, 6-1, 180, junior, tight end/free safety, St. Maries 6. Josh Easley, 5-9, 155, senior, running back, Kellogg 7. Russ Cosgrove, 6-2, 190, junior, running back, Moscow 8. Harrison Bertsch, 6-2, 190, sophomore, defensive back/ running back, Lakeland