6 Bulldogs compete at Spokane Showcase
The six Sandpoint High School football players pose for a picture following the Spokane Showcase at Whitworth University on June 11. Pictured, from left, are, Parker Pettit, Arie Vandenberg, Wes Benefield, Levi Balison, Khyrin Riddle and Carson Laybourne
(Photo courtesy RYAN KNOWLES)
Six players from the Sandpoint High School football team competed at the Spokane Showcase this past weekend on Saturday, June 11.
The showcase took place on the campus of Whitworth University in Spokane. This was the third year in a row that the Bulldogs have attended the event.
“It’s grown a lot over the past couple years,” Sandpoint football coach Ryan Knowles said. “Especially with Whitworth’s coach (Rod) Sandberg running it.”
10 colleges made the trip to Whitworth University to be a part of the showcase.
The college levels varied from NAIA all the way to NCAA Division I.
The teams that were there included the University of Idaho, University of Washington, Eastern Washington, Idaho State, and more.
Parker Pettit, Levi Balison, Carson Laybourne, Arie Vandenberg, Wes Benefield, and Khyrin Riddle were all present for the showcase.
Second-year quarterback Pettit had himself a day that resulted in him earning the showcase's MVP award. He won this award over 30 other quarterbacks.
“He has five playoff wins as a senior quarterback and that’s pretty impressive,” Knowles said. “It’s nice to come into a season knowing that you have your quarterback all figured out.”
Pettit will continue his busy offseason with a trip to the east coast to showcase his talent to some Ivy League schools.
Senior outside linebacker Balison, was also a standout during the showcase winning the mid-skill race at the end of the camp.
“(Levi) Balison won the mid-skill race, which is basically a race between the lineman, linebackers, and running backs,” Knowles said. “He was the fastest mid-skill guy there and he’s by far our strongest guy.”
Balison spent the offseason breaking records in the weight room. On Feb. 26, he broke the Idaho state powerlifting record for squats, deadlifts and bench press.
Although he is a monster athletically, his best asset might be his football IQ, according to Knowles.
“He’s just on the attack all the time,” he said. “He’s so intelligent and always knows what to do. He allows us to use him in a lot of different ways.”
Balison might be able to show off his speed and versatility on the offensive side of the ball in 2022, according to Knowles.
The Bulldogs have been hitting it hard during the offseason, already starting to practice and beginning to attend some camps, but their season will officially begin on July 11.
“Right now we’re doing all these camps and we’ve been lifting since the game against Skyline,” Knowles said. “The IHSSA calendar has opened up now so we can practice here and we’re still lifting.”
During that time from July 18-20, The Bulldogs will have three straight days of scrimmages. Sandpoint will face off against three different teams from Montana in preparation for the season ahead.