Bulldogs look to continue momentum against Lakeland
Sports editor
SANDPOINT — The 4A state football playoffs start today — well not officially, but certainly for all intents and purposes — when Lakeland comes into Barlow Stadium for a crucial league game against surging Sandpoint, which is riding a four-game win streak.
The winner of tonight's game — against two very evenly matched teams — will essentially earn the right to host a first-round 4A state playoff game. Sandpoint (5-3, 1-0) is burgeoning with confidence, coming off consecutive road wins against Lewiston and Moscow, and will be looking to continue building momentum.
Bulldogs head coach Mike Mitchell said the key to the game will rest in who can establish the line of scrimmage. Lakeland's biggest strength is a solid defensive line, and Sandpoint's offensive line has keyed its success all season. Throw in a wet forecast for game time, and winning the battle of the trenches is tantamount to winning the game.
"They're (Lakeland) mostly run and we try to be balanced so I guess you could say weather could be a factor," said Mitchell when asked how rain might affect the game. "We can run, too. Both Sione Puailoa and Ethan Vest have been running very well."
Lakeland (4-3, 0-0) features a running back-by-committee approach, getting touches for as many as five different ball carriers. Senior Shawn Hiebert goes into this week's game with 687 yards on 97 carries with nine touchdowns and a 7.1-yard per carry average. Junior Kyle McCrite is averaging 5.3 yards per touch with 226 yards on 43 carries and four touchdowns. Seniors Dan Donioan, Scott Carr and Blake Reeser also help carry the load for the Hawks.
"Traditionally, we've always had one kid that gets the ball more than the others because year in and year out, we don't have this many good backs," Lakeland head coach Tim Kiefer said. "I don't think they care about number of touches. They just want to contribute. It's not a personal ambition, they want to help the team and each one has something to bring."
Sandpoint's defense is anchored by a trio of senior linebackers. Mat Lawrence, Matt Shay and Vest will need to play disciplined to stop Lakeland's misdirection running attack. Defensive ends Anthony Cook and Thomas Cartwright will also need strong games to stop Lakeland's ground attack.
Mitchell loves how his offense has clicked of late. He says Ryan Armbruster had done everything he could ask for from his quarterback, Puailoa has gotten stronger as the season has progressed, and that Lawrence could be the X-factor when he spells Armbruster and leads the Bulldogs' shotgun attack.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Barlow Stadium.
"They both offer a different look," said Mitchell of his quarterbacks. "Ryan is playing at a high level and Mat makes a contribution in the running game."
With Moscow having a down year, both teams are fully aware of the importance of tonight's game.
"They're living to beat us, we understand that, it's the same exact scenario as last year," said Mitchell, not shying away from the magnitude of the game. "This is why you do this, right here."