Idaho high school football previews
North Star League football
In predicted order of finish:
Clark Fork Wampus Cats
2003 records: 4-5 overall, 3-5 league
Coach: Frank Hammersley
Years coaching, record: 17th, 76-61
Base offense, defense: I, 4-4
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 11
Key players: Stu Berkley, junior, 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, left guard/nose tackle; Kyle Ruen, jr., 6-1, 170, center/defensive end; Mike Johnson, senior, 6-0, 277, right guard/defensive line; Tyler Broggi, jr., 6-3, 200, tight end; Clayton Hewitt, sr., 6-2, 195, quarterback/defensive back; Mario Spina, sr., 5-9, 183, fullback/linebacker; Brian Young, jr., 5-10, 180, tailback/lb.
Coach’s comments: “We could have a good season. We don’t want to be too optimistic. We want these kids to earn their respect and earn every win.”
Outlook: Hammersley can try to sandbag all he wants, but the truth of the matter is the Wampus Cats return the most proven talent. That should translate into a league title and, at the worst, one of the two Division II state playoff berths.
Wallace Miners
2003 record: 2-6
Coach: Dave Rounds
Years coaching, record: 13th, 51-58-1
Base offense, defense: I, 4-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 11, 16
Key players: Paul Norris, sr., 6-0, 170, qb/safety; John Heiser, sr., 6-2, 180, wr/db; Shawn Angle, sr., 6-0, 195, center/dl; Jake Strange, sr., 5-10, 235, tackle/dl; major four seniors; Justin Keener, jr., 5-10, 175, fb/lb; Heath Petersen, jr., 5-8, 145, tailback/db; Marty Gallinger, jr., 5-10, 210, g/dt; Jake Will, sr., 6-0, 145, flanker/lb; Nathan Bartel, soph., 6-1, 175, tight end/de.
Coach’s comments: “We might be the biggest school in the league, but the other teams aren’t just going to hand it to us.”
Outlook: The Miners will challenge for the league title and are favored to capture the Division I state berth.
Lakeside Knights
2003 records: 3-6, 2-6
Coach: Ron Miller
Years coaching, record: 13th, 50-62
Base offense, defense: Single wing, variable
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 14
Key players: Mike Sifford, sr., 5-9, 180, rb/lb; Andrew Sonder, sr., 6-1, 170, wr; Tim Wolfe, sr., 5-9, 150, qb; Tim Clarke, sr., 5-9, 150, lb; Travis Miller, soph., 6-0, 250, ol/dl; Keith Sperber, jr., 5-9, 160, fb/lb; Wes Sifford, freshman, 6-1, 270, ol/dl; Robert Bearstail, fr., 5-11, 215, ol/dl; James Atwood, jr., 6-0, 180, te.
Coach’s comments: “We may have a lot of returners, but we’re still not real experienced. The competition for (starting) positions has been great.”
Outlook: The Knights didn’t lose any key spots to graduation, and they’ll be in the hunt for the league title and the Division I state playoff berth.
Mullan Tigers
2003 records: 9-2, 7-1
Coach: Norbert Lane
Years coaching, record: 4th, 21-7
Base offense, defense: I, 4-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 11
Key players: Randy Scales, sr., 5-11, 180, rb/lb; Jesse James, jr., 6-0, 225, te/de; Joe Ploharz, jr., 5-6, 200, qb/lb; Bart Vanskiver, sr., 6-1, 190, g/de.
Coach’s comments: “We’re not going to be as explosive as last year. We’re going to be more of a ground team. We’ll have to grind it out and try to control the clock.”
Outlook: The Tigers probably lost the most to graduation. So a drop off is expected. But Mullan will contend for one of the two Division II state playoff berths. The Tigers opened with a 46-0 non-league win over Post Falls Christian.
Kootenai Warriors
2003 records: 7-2, 7-1
Coach: Doug Napierela
Years coaching, record: 4th, 16-10
Base offense, defense: Power I, 4-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 7
Key players: Tony Kraack, sr., 5-4, 120, qb/s; Keith Whipple, sr., 6-5, 325, ol/fb/dl/lb; Zach Harns, sr., 5-11, 170, te/lb; David Palmiter, sr., 6-0, 160, te/s; Dan Cress, jr., 5-10, 160, tb/lb; Aaron Plank, sophomore, 6-0, 180, fb/lb.
Coach’s comments: “We’re young overall. They just need experience and playing time. We’re banking on the defense carrying us through a lot early.”
Outlook: If the Warriors mature quickly, they could make it a three-way battle for the two Division II state playoff berths.
Post Falls Christian Eagles
2003 records: 0-9, 0-8
Coach: Kevin Rouse
Years coaching: 1st
Base offense, defense: Multiple sets, Cover 2
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 6
Key players: Trevor Campbell, sr., rb; Donald Camsino, sr., qb; Brad Shaw, sr., te; Matt Rouse, jr., te/qb; Brandon Messier, jr., fb; Flyn Vick, jr., placekicker.
Coach’s comments: “I don’t know what to expect. I just hope we show up ready to play.”
Outlook: On the surface, there wasn’t much to be excited about in the Eagles’ 46-0 season-opening non-league loss at Mullan. But PFC should be improved over last season. It won’t be enough to challenge the traditional powers.