Bulldogs host Vikings in playoff opener
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint head coach Mike Mitchell has been around long enough to know how tough it is to beat a team twice in the same season, but he’s relishing the opportunity to try Friday night when the Middleton Vikings return to Barlow Stadium to face the Bulldogs in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.
When the two teams tangled in the third week of the season, Sandpoint won 36-14, led by sizzling-hot quarterback Daniel Charvoz, who completed 15 of his 20 pass attempts for 306 yards and a school-record five touchdowns. Many of his throws were to Mike Hubbard, who snatched nine catches for 156 yards and three scores.
But that was then, and this is now, and the two teams meeting tonight are both streaking and confident. Sandpoint (7-2) has won four in a row, and Middleton (7-2) has won six in a row, downing Mountain Home, Nampa, Columbia, Emmett, Kuna and Skyview. The Vikings’ only losses came against Bishop Kelly and Sandpoint.
Much like in the first meeting, Middleton will roll back the clock a few decades and feature a two tight end, one fullback, double wing offense. If it’s easier, just picture 22 players in a sort of scrum around the ball.
“The whole football team is in a radius of 12 feet,” describes Mitchell of the throwback offense. “They like to lean on you and get their four yards, try to outnumber you at the point of attack.”
The Bulldogs are averaging more than 30 points per game on offense, while allowing just over 10 on defense. The Bulldogs’ running game has been potent lately, and Mitchell hopes a nice balance can help sustain drives and keep Middleton from controlling the time of possession. The Vikings like to blitz their safeties, and in the first meeting were burned numerous times when they failed to get to Charvoz on time.
Defensively, Sandpoint is giving up just 6.5 points per game in the last four games, getting solid play-making from Sean Hogan, Eric Nikssarian, Anthony Gold, Luther Morgan, Shane Kidd and A.J. Smith, among others. Sure tackling and good gap discipline will be keys to stopping the Vikings’ ground-oriented attack.
Sandpoint is ranked No. 4 in the 4A power rankings, and No. 15 in the state overall in the Massey rankings. Middleton is ranked No. 24 in the state in the same ranking system. The winner of tonight’s game will face the winner of the Hillcrest/Pocatello game.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Barlow Stadium. The forecast is calling for rain, so dress appropriately.