Bulldogs set to hit the road for first time

SANDPOINT — As NFL coach Bill Parcells famously said, you are what your record says you are. But that credo doesn’t always tell the tale when it comes to high school football.

The Bulldogs (0-2) haven’t won a game, but the two losses came against big schools from the top classifications in their respective states (Post Falls and University), and both games were very winnable.

An early season bright spot has been the play of the Bulldogs’ defense, which last week held University to just 40 yards on 27 carries, while allowing only 141 through the air in a 13-10 loss.

Another bright spot was a late 80 yard touchdown drive, where the Bulldog offense found a rhythm and flashed the potential of what they can be down the road.

The tough early schedule doesn’t get any easier tonight, when the Bulldogs face another Greater Spokane League team in Mt. Spokane, which went 8-2 last year but like the Bulldogs lost a lot of seniors. On film, they look like a typical Mt. Spokane team.

“They’re big and physical, with good athletes. I’m expecting a good, physical game. They spread you out and throw he ball in the zone read. We’ll see it all season, that’s what everybody runs,” said Bulldogs coach George Yarno, whose defense has kept his team in games. “Our defense has really played well. I expect that to continue.”

Mt. Spokane (0-1) lost to the Peninsula Seahawks, from Gig Harbor, Washington, 22-0 in their opener last week. They are once again favored to win the 3A Greater Spokane League title, but return only four starters.

Yarno said there are a lot of things to clean up on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs (0-2) will look to establish Levi Irish on the ground, which will help quarterback Robbie Johnson in the play action passing game, and continue to rely a stout front seven on defense.

“We’ve got to run the ball and stop the run,” said Yarno. “If we can win the kicking game, and run the football, we’ve got a good chance to line up and compete.”

One thing Yarno doesn’t have to worry about is his team’s effort, and at the end of the day, that can often be the difference in a win or loss.

“We’ve got a never quit attitude, relentless kids. They give it all every play,” praised Yarno. “You can’t coach that, it’s a culture that’s been developed.”

Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane. Bob Witte and Chris Chatburn will call the game live on AM1400 and FM 103, with the pre-game show starting at 5:10 p.m.

n Lakeside (0-1, 0-1 White Star League) at Clark Fork (1-0, 1-1 WSL): The Knights lost 58-12 to Kendrick in last week’s opener. The Wampus Cats beat White Star foe Timberline 32-8 in their opener, then lost to Clark Fork (the Montana version) 52-18 last week.

The Cats play their third straight home game to open the season, and will be looking to get healthy and build momentum to make a run at one of the two playoff spots this season.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Clark Fork.