Bulldogs hold their own at Eastern Washington Football Camp

CHENEY — Featuring a new head coach, new offensive and defensive schemes and a mix of new and experienced varsity players, the Sandpoint football team wrapped up a two-week spring season with a strong showing on the final two days recently at the Eastern Washington University Football Camp.

The Bulldog players got to run individual drills twice a day with the Eastern Washington position coaches, getting college tutelage from Big Sky coaches on the basics of football, and got to play on the famous red “Inferno” turf in Cheney.

The Bulldogs did not have their full team, with some pieces missing, but they got a great chance to go live and forge a new identity in several scrimmages. First year head coach Ryan Knowles, who has spent the past 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Colgate University in New York, liked what he saw from his charges.

“I thought the excitement was exactly what I was hoping for,” claimed Knowles, a former Bulldog and Idaho Vandal standout. “We were pumped up, confident, and it will lead into August. They’re buying in, a lot of air in their chest.”

After facing Hanford and Eastmont in a pair of scrimmages to start off the camp, the Bulldogs had what Knowles called a coming out party on the second day, flying around and having fun against a talent-laden Renegade team. Renegade squads are made up of individuals without full teams, and are often stocked with blue chip players.

Ultimately, the camp offered a chance for the new-look Bulldogs to see how they stack up against some salty competition. Opposing coaches let Knowles know they appreciated how his team went about its business.

“They had the best compliment, saying your guys play really hard,” said Knowles. “That’s what you want to hear.”

Sandpoint faced Mead in the Friday Night Lights Goal Line Challenge, with each team getting possessions from the 10 yard line. Quarterback Jaxon Pettit hooked up with Hunter Elliott on a pair of scoring plays, but a touchdown was eventually called back, allowing Mead to prevail in overtime.

Senior Alex Stockton caught a lot of passes at the two-day camp before injuring his shoulder, and was named one of the camp MVPs among tight ends. The EWU coaches got a chance to see the 6-3, 230 pound three-sport standout in person, and obviously took notice.

The Bulldogs kick off the season on Aug. 24, when they host the 5A Post Falls Trojans, followed by another home game Aug. 31 against the University Titans of the Greater Spokane League.