Sandpoint faces tough test against No. 1 Hillcrest in playoff opener

SANDPOINT — This much we know: There will be some pads popping tonight when Sandpoint open the 4A Idaho state football tournament at No. 1 ranked Hillcrest, with kickoff at 6 p.m. PST at Thunder Stadium in Idaho Falls.

The Bulldogs (3-6) will ride the two-pronged rushing attack of Dillan Mitton and Alex Stockton and a physical defense to try and stop the Knights (8-1), who like the Bulldogs, prefer an old-school, ground and pound style of football.

The Knights are clearly the favorite, but Bulldog head coach Ryan Knowles said his team wants a shot at No. 1.

“We are going to be the underdog against anyone in the tournament,” said Knowles. “Why not go over the top dog first.”

Sandpoint will ride the legs of workhorse senior running back Dillan Mitton, a 170 pound power back who finishes runs like someone far bigger. He’s rushed 229 times on the season, more than 25 totes a game, for 875 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging a bruising 3.8 yards per carry.

Also getting touches offensively is H-back Alex Stockton, a 6-4, 240 pound weapon who has six touchdowns on the year, both through the air and on the ground. His size and athleticism will be a factor on both sides of the ball, as he also plays at defensive end.

Quarterback Jaxon Pettit has managed the run-first offense with 1,025 yards passing on the year with five touchdowns and nine interceptions, and has also rushed for five scores. Hillcrest will have watched ample tape on Sandpoint, and will no doubt be scheming to stop Stockton and Mitton with numbers in the trenches. Getting a push up front will be key to avoid throwing situations.

“Managing the line of scrimmage. Not turning the ball over. Not giving up big special teams plays. Four yards, no penalties,” described Knowles of the keys, knowing the Knights boast a great front seven. “They have proven that their run game is stingy. We have pride in our run game. This is will be a big challenge.”

Hillcrest has outscored its opponents 304-117, while Sandpoint has been outscored 152-292. Both have faced tougher than usual 4A schedules. The Knights beat 5A Thunder Ridge 40-6, beat 5A Rigby 21-20 and lost to ranked 5A Madison 21-20, so they’ve played up just like Sandpoint.

The Knights will line up with two tight ends and a fullback, and come downhill with a power running game built to play with a lead, so the Bulldogs must get some early stops and sustain drives and not dig a hole.

“They run the ball and stop the run on defense,” said Knowles of the Knights. “They like a physical brand of football. Their players buy into the physical style.”

One of the biggest strengths of the Bulldogs of late has been the play of its front seven, which has been stout against the run. Payton Cox and Tag Benefield are tone setters at linebacker, downhill players with a nose for the football and pop when they get there. Riley Anderson and Elijah Larson have proven to be strong corners in coverage.

The defensive line of Connor Hutchings, Brandon Casey, Thomas Aleto and Carson Fournier will get tested by a team that likes to establish the run, and hurt teams with vertical play action to speedy receivers.

“Hutchings has been playing very well at nose,” lauded Knowles. “Having Casey play both ways has been a big key. Fournier has been very active.”

The Score Czar computer ratings rank every team in Idaho. Hillcrest is No. 1 in the 4A ranks, similar to the media polls, while Sandpoint is ranked No. 26 among the 28 teams in 4A. Most everyone in the state is expecting the top team to advance.

If the Bulldogs are to pull off an upset, they’ll need to match the Knights physicality, and hope for some big plays offensively.

“A tough style of football. From warm ups to the fourth quarter, our guys expect to win one on one match ups,” said Knowles. “Hillcrest will strain us, but you cannot prove you’re tough without strain.”

Kickoff is 6 p.m. PST. Idahosports.com will webcast the game live. Chris Chatburn will call the game live on AM 1400.