Bulldogs kick off football season against Lake City

SANDPOINT - As season openers go it doesn't get much tougher than tonight, when 4A Sandpoint heads to Coeur d'Alene to take on 5A Lake City, currently ranked No. 2 in the state in the pre-season polls behind Highland.

It will be a stern litmus test for the Bulldogs, who return only one starter from last season. One saving grace might be that the Timberwolves aren't much more experienced, boasting just three returning starters.

Sandpoint coach Mike Mitchell believes Lake City will help answer a lot of questions about where his young team is at, and what areas they'll need to improve on. Stocked at the skill positions, Mitchell will keep a close eye on his untested linebackers and offensive lines, hoping they step up to the challenge.

"We want to be in the game with a chance to win it," said Mitchell, noting that they played Lake City evenly last year for much of the game. "We talked to the QB and receivers about protecting the ball and keeping ourselves out of trouble."

While Lake City presents a tall order, Mitchell believes the following two games against Colville and Middleton are very winnable, as steady improvement is the theme for this year.

"I feel good about the schedule," said Mitchell, alluding to last year, when Sandpoint's first four games were against strong 5A competition. "It gives us a chance to grow. One thing this team always does is get better."

Senior quarterback Jake Semones will direct a Bulldog attack that figures to be wide open, utilizing a strong group of new receivers. Cody Hecker will be the featured running back, with Ben Fisher and Ricky Lang also getting touches.

The Timberwolves have at least two Division 1 recruits in fullback/linebacker Jared Heston (6-foot-1, 225 pounds), who recently gave a verbal commitment to play at Idaho next year, and blue chip transfer Billy Sanders (6-3, 230), a tight end/defensive end who verbally committed to Miami, then de-committed and re-opened his recruitment.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m., at Lake City High School.

n Clark Fork opens its season today at 4 p.m., at Mullan in a North Star League game. See a complete preview of their season in today's Falls Sports Preview insert.