Bulldogs hold their own at Border League camp

SANDPOINT — Sure, it’s not actually football season and not every team is healthy and at full strength, but a solid statement was made by the Sandpoint football team at the Border League Football Camp this week.

Namely that the Bulldogs will be a lot bigger, faster and stronger than last season, and in the third season under head coach Satini Puailoa, are primed to return to the upper echelon of the Inland Empire League.

On Thursday, the Bulldogs dominated perennial IEL power Lake City and Montana state runner up Glacier High School in a three team scrimmage, scoring five times against the two teams while not allowing a single score.

“We stayed pretty vanilla, but there were teams throwing the whole kitchen sink at us,” said Puailoa, whose team stayed in a base defense and didn’t stunt much against the other 12 teams in the four-day camp. “People felt were were one of the top four teams. We know we can line up and compete with these guys, not back down.”

Puailoa wants his team to match up physically with the 5A IEL schools and the top Greater Spokane League schools, and once they reach that goal, can start to make some noise at the state 4A level.

At the Goal Line Classic on Wednesday, Sandpoint lost on a controversial call to Gonzaga Prep, which went on to win the spirited competition, where the field is shorter and physicality is of the essence. Running back Kyle Perry was stopped at the goal line on fourth down, a close and disputed call.

“We thought Perry was over,” said Puailoa. “They said no replay.”

Strong performances were turned in by Matthew Timothy, who caught two touchdown passes as receiver and nabbed a pick at safety.

Quinn Pearlsten stood out at linebacker, and also presents a nightmare matchup as a quick 220 pound slot receiver, running over two defensive backs on the way to a touchdown in one scrimmage.

Carlos Collado was a force on both sides of the line, Nate Loutzenhiser was sharp at quarterback, and defensive end Sam Palmer emerged as a factor. Perry had several strong scoring runs, Tyler Harris scored on a 50 yard run, and Caleb Merrill also stood out.

The Bulldogs’ receiving corps will be a strength of the team next year, led by the strong play of Wyatt Cox, who caught ball after ball against every team he faced.

“I don’t think there’s a guy at camp who can cover him,” said Puailoa, also praising his sophomore team, which competed against squads with juniors. “Our sophomore team dominated, losing against Ferris in the final of the goal line drill.”

The Bulldogs open the season against Post Falls, and will play a much stronger schedule than last season.