Bulldogs, Wampus Cats kick off season tonight

SANDPOINT — The Bulldog football team will kick off the season against the Post Falls Trojans on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Barlow Stadium, in a game that will be broadcast regionally on SWX.*

*-Unless the AQI smoke index rating is too high, in which case the game will be moved to Saturday and played in the Kibbie Dome at a yet to be determined time.

Welcome to fall sports these days, when searches for Sandpoint air quality reveal an AQI number. If the number is below 150, the games can be played outside. Above 150, and they must be postponed per IHSAA rules. A final call on the game will be made midday on Friday.

If the game does kick off as scheduled, it figures to pack a lot of intrigue. The two teams open with each other regularly, and last year a senior-laden Trojan squad won 56-12.

While Sandpoint returns a host of players who started in that game, the Trojans return just two, as in 20 seniors departing from a team that went 8-2 and made the 5A playoffs.

“We’ll have 11 different starters on offense and defense. We’re in the process of getting a lot of guys some time to see who fits where,” said Trojans coach Blaine Bennett. “We’re trying to find 22 starters and after having 22 senior starters graduate, it’s been tough. It will be a challenge for us and Sandpoint will be a challenge as well.”

One of those returning starters is Terran Sharbrough, a 6-5, 300 pound tackle who anchors the offensive line.

Sandpoint will be playing its first game under new head coach Ryan Knowles, who left a 12 year stint as an assistant at Colgate University to return and lead his alma mater.

For an in-depth look at the Bulldogs, see the 2018 Fall Sports Preview in today’s paper.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Barlow Stadium, which now features a new Pro Football Hall of Fame plaque of Jerry Kramer outside the entrance.

n Wampus Cats face tough road opener

CLARK FORK — While the White Star League has disbanded in football, it doesn’t mean teams like Clark Fork, which moves back to the North Star League, won’t still play teams like Lewis County, which also moved back to its original White Pine League.

Last year the Wampus Cats beat Lewis County 40-24, but it figures to be a tough repeat, as Lewis County recently got four top 5 votes in the first 1A Division II state football poll, and has been called a dark horse to make a run at a state title this season.

While the Cats feature a brand new signal caller in Toben Pincher, Lewis County’s quarterback is a three year starter, and their tailback ran for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season. It’s one of the reasons many feel they can challenge Kendrick or Deary for a playoff berth.

The Wampus Cats have playoff intentions of their own, and must now battle with Kootenai, Lakeside and Mullan for the league’s lone berth.

For a complete season preview of the Wampus Cats, see the 2018 Fall Sports Preview in today’s paper.

Kickoff is 4 p.m. at Lewis County in Craigmont.