New look Bulldogs primed for another playoff run

Stellar receivers, defensive line have second year coach excited

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — There’s a new look, and then there is the 2017 Sandpoint football team.

From a new stadium, to new uniforms, to an entirely new style of football under second year head coach George Yarno, for better or worse, things will look a little different from the past.

Yarno installed a new pistol spread offense to utilize a bevy of weapons at the skill positions as the Bulldogs set about their annual quest for the state playoffs, after losing to Emmett in the first round to cap a 4-6 campaign last fall.

Optimism runs high in most programs this time of year, but with a host of returning starters on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs could be primed for a sneaky good season.

“I’m excited for a new year, with a great group of kids working their tails off. They have a goal in mind, they want success. There’s a buzz going around with the kids,” claimed Yarno. “We’ll be less conservative on offense and special teams. I’ve got the reins, it’s my program, stuff we believe in. It might not be what they’re used to in the past, but we’ll still run the power football, it’s just a different look.”

Pulling the trigger in the pistol will be senior Robbie Johnson, a 6-3, 200 pound dual threat quarterback who will look to build off last year’s all-league campaign, when he threw for more than 1,500 yards with a nice ratio of 16 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

The offense will utilize his athleticism, with plays designed to get him on the edges with a run-pass option. With an all-senior line and four strong receivers to throw to, Yarno is hoping for a big season for Johnson.

“His athletic ability will allow us to do some fun things. He can run, and throw on the run,” described Yarno. “He’s a special type of athlete. They don’t come around very often.”

The receiving corps could be the biggest strength of the team, led by seniors Julian Barajas and T.J. Davis, whose skillsets complement each other well.

Barajas, who finished last season with 360 yards and three touchdowns, is a precision route runner and chain mover, while the 6-foot-5 Davis, who finished last year with 400 yards and five scores, can take the top off a defense and stretch the field with the deep threat.

Add in 6-3, 225 pound junior Alex Stockton and senior possession receiver Austin Greene, and you have four players that could be tough to stop with Johnson slinging the ball, and a fifth, 6-4 senior James Johnson, ready to step up when needed.

“Most of them already have experience, and are not going to be scared. All have varsity catches and each has a touchdown,” said Johnson of his four receivers. “Our confidence level needs to continue to rise. Come together, not get on each other too hard. New offense, first couple of games might be rough, we’ll need to be patient and trust in each other.”

Yarno knows the receiving corps, under the tutelage of longtime coach Al Beard, is going to be a real handful for opposing defenses.

“Some guys that are flat out burners, guys who are shifty, good route runners. Alex Stockton is like a Gronkowski,” praised Yarno. “We can do some things in the passing game because we have those types of athletes.”

Reaping the benefit of a stretched out field will be slashing junior running back Dillan Mitton, whose biggest strength might the ability to make guys tackle air in the open field.

“Dillan is shifty. He’ll make you miss, but it’s deceptive how powerful he is,” described Yarno of his feature back. “He’ll run you over, and he has a knack for finding the hole.”

Senior Dustin Norris, one of the team’s fastest players who will return kicks and punts, will get some carries as well, and H-back Kerry Johnson could get some touches.

Paving the way will be an experienced senior line with a nice mix of size and quickness in Trey Flint (6-4, 250), Tyrone Larson (6-2, 300), Alex Christensen (5-9, 200), Jarrett Mitton (5-11, 200) and Spencer Butler (6-4, 220). Christensen has the ability to pull as a center, and the length of Butler and Flint will help in pass protection.

“O-line is a lot more experienced, we’re staying healthier, learning how to play hard,” said Yarno, who played center when Nevada became the first school to ever employ the pistol. “I’m an o-line guy, and it’s another year in my system. That comes with experience and reps.”

When asked what the strongest position on the team was, Yarno said defensive line, and for good reason. Defensive ends Evan Sticklemeyer (6-5, 235) and Callum Wilcox (6-4, 220) will flank defensive tackles Chris Jones (6-3, 290), Thomas Aleto (6-0, 215) and returning all-league player Hayden Emmerson (6-1, 265) to form a stout and potentially disruptive front four.

Sticklemeyer, who transferred from Mead, and Wilcox, playing his first season, are both country strong and accomplished wrestlers who understand that in the trenches, low man wins. But it was the play of Jones during two-a-days that caught Yarno’s attention.

“Jones is playing like a man possessed,” claimed Yarno, lauding the group. “The size, the speed, our d-line is going to be solid. Aleto is tough, plays hard.”

Returning all-league junior Payton Cox will anchor a linebacking unit that includes senior leader Joe Schauwecker and junior Caleb Fingel. Cox, whose weapon is speed, emerged as a playmaker down the stretch last season.

“Payton is a stud. He flies around, a good nose for the football,” said Yarno, praising the work of new defensive coordinator Steve Miller. “The defense is strict and disciplined, but we’re also going to attack people, make you make a bad decision.”

Norris will anchor a new secondary with little varsity experience, teaming with senior Thomas Riley to form a pair of solid safeties. Yarno has been surprised by the early play of Sam Diercks, who will join Riley Anderson as the corners on the island, with Robbie Johnson and backup quarterback Decco Plummer adding depth to a thin position numbers-wise.

With another heavyweight schedule, the Bulldogs will get tested early and often as they prepare for the ultimate goal of beating Lakeland and Moscow. But Yarno refuses to look too far ahead, focusing only on the now.

“Every week compete as hard as we can to win a football game. The No. 1 goal is to help these young men, raise good citizens in this world,” he said. “If you teach accountability, respect, trustworthiness, integrity, the win/loss column takes care of itself. Generally, they come out ontop.”

While a lot of things will change this year, one thing that has always defined Sandpoint football will remain the same.

“You’ll see us never give up,” predicted Johnson. “Continue to play the game our hardest no matter who’s in or what the score is. We’re not going to stop until the last second ticks off.”