Bulldogs host GSL Titans in home opener tonight

SANDPOINT — After a tough season opener last week, the Bulldogs will look to bounce back in tonight’s home opener, when Greater Spokane League 4A foe University High School invades Barlow Stadium.

The Bulldogs (0-1) had trouble sustaining drives in last week’s 35-7 loss to Post Falls, and will look to get back on track against what figures to be a tough nonleague game.

A bright spot in last week’s loss was running back Dillan Mitton, who gained 113 hard yards on 23 carries, linebacker Payton Cox, who had several negative plays, and corner Riley Anderson, who kept tight coverage and broke up several deep passes.

Kickoff tonight is 7 p.m. at Barlow Stadium.

n Clark Fork travels for big NSL opener

CLARK FORK — It might just be the second week of the season, but it’s not too early to start talking about playoff implications, as the Wampus Cats hit the road to face Kootenai in a big early North Star League showdown.

Clark Fork (0-1) hung with Lewis County for a half last week, but with just 10 players suited up wore down in the second half.

Kootenai (1-0) beat Troy 44-14 last week. It’s the first true North Star League football game since 2013. The last four seasons, North Star and Whitepine Leagues teamed up to form the White Star League.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Harrison Flats.

n Wampus Cats sweep Spartans in opener

PRIEST RIVER — Brooke Stevens tallied 30 set assists, eight digs and four aces, and Clark Fork tipped off the 2018 season with a big 26-24, 26-24, 25-21 win over the 3A Spartans in nonleague volleyball Thursday night at Priest River Lamanna High School.

Ellie Kiebert hammered a team-high 11 kills to go with seven digs, and Tessa Sutton moved outside and made her presence felt right away with nine kills and two aces for the Wampus Cats (1-0), who showed some toughness to close out the first two tightly-contested sets.

“They were a little tentative at first, then started playing a faster game. They’ve been working hard for three weeks, it was cool to see,” said Cats head coach Cindy Derr of the win over an Intermountain League foe. “Tessa moved outside, she adjusted to it. She served 10 in a row in the second game. I’m pleased with first outing, they got the job done.”

Ellie Lambert tallied 10 digs and Ali Sutton two aces in the sweep.

Clark Fork hosts Bonners Ferry on Thursday.

n Bulldogs win home opener

SANDPOINT — Chris Koch, Sims Macdonald and Zander Moore each found the back of the net, leading the Bulldogs to a 3-0 win over Stillwater Christian in a nonleague home opener Thursday night at War Memorial Field.

Julian Reichold kept a clean sheet for the second straight game for the Bulldogs (2-2), and his strong leg resulted in a rare assist from a goalie on Macdonald’s goal, which was followed shortly by Zander Moore’s second tally of the season.

Koch opened the scoring by finishing a header just inside the back post off a nice feed from Logan Buckhout, as a host of new varsity players continue to cut their teeth under second year head coach Evan McNeley, who relished the chance to play at one of the best soccer venue’s anywhere.

“We had the chance to play at War Memorial Field and the boys responded. The atmosphere is fantastic,” said McNeley, who continues to shuffle players around looking for the right combination. “We’re still learning how we’re playing, but there’s a lot of improvement.”

Sandpoint will host Lakeland in a 4A Inland Empire League opener on Tuesday.

First half — 1, Spt, Chris Koch (Logan Buckhout), 23:00. Second half — 2, Spt, Sims Macdonald (Julian Reichold), 48:00. 3, Spt, Zander Moore (unassisted), 50:00.

Saves — Spt, Julian Reichold, 4.