There's plenty to cheer about when it comes to the Bulldogs

This is the greatest time of year.

The leaves are turning, the mornings are crisp and give way to beautiful blue skies.

It's also the time of year Sandpoint High School athletes prove they are the best this state has to offer.

The Bulldogs have a legitimate shot at four state championships this fall.

First, let's talk about the championship that's in the bank. In case you missed it, the Bulldogs boys soccer team started the year by only winning one of their first 10 games.

They finished the season with a pedestrian 11-9-2 record — with the final two wins over two undefeated teams.

This team battled back from more challenges than any year anyone can remember to give coach Randy Thoreson his sixth and most hard-fought state championship.

There were numerous times the Bulldogs could have given up. They never did and that is a testament to good parenting and good coaching.

Sandpoint is a soccer town. In fact, it should be the soccer capitol of Idaho.

Great job, Bulldogs.

That was last week. Here's this week:

The girls volleyball team swept Lakeland off the gym floor Saturday to win the regional tournament. This 17-4 team has every intention of adding a 12th championship banner high above Les Rogers Court.

They open state play on Friday against Century and I'll bet there will be a new banner in the gym next week.

The Bulldog boys and girls cross country teams also ran away with regional championships on Saturday. The girls are favored to win the state championship and, who knows, the surprising boys team could keep on surprising.

Congrats to champion Megan Bartlett as well as Kat Vardell and Vicky Vardell for sweeping the first three positions in the girls race and to champion Steve Teran and David Householter and Adrian Mitchell for taking three of the first five finishing positions.

And how about that swimming team? The Bulldogs will fill the state championship pool with 22 swimmers. What's unique about swimming is SHS competes against high schools of all sizes. There is one classification. Remember, Hoosiers? There will be 37 teams competing for a championship in two weeks in Boise.

Watch for a championship on either the boys or girls team. That would be a first for SHS.

The Bulldog football team will host a state playoff game Friday, Nov. 3, as this team continues to march toward a state championship.

It is not all about winning state championships but the Bulldog athletes are proving once again they are the class of the state.

Let's go, Bulldogs!

? David Keyes is the publisher of the Daily Bee.