FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint boys soccer ready to make another deep postseason run

LAST SEASON: 11-5, 4A District 1-2 Champions, second place at 4A State Championship. Key wins over Moscow (3), Lakeland (2), Lewiston (2), Coeur d’Alene, Caldwell, and Blackfoot.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Luke Leavitt, sr.; Issac Schmit, jr.; Conner McClure, sr.; Huxley Hall, jr.; Henry Barnes, sr.; Caiden Gion, jr.; Pax Longanecker, fr.; Gavan Miles, sr.; Gus Penrose, fr.

The sixth-seeded Sandpoint High Bulldogs made it all the way to the 2023 4A State Championship last season, eventually falling to Wood River 3-1 in the title match. There is good reason to think another state title run is on the horizon for this young, yet extremely talented boys soccer squad.

"We have a lot of returners and a strong core, and what really struck with the coaching staff this offseason is the overall commitment of the group," Sandpoint High head coach Dan Anderson, who has been with the program for six years in total now, said. "They have not only done everything that is asked of them during our grueling preseason, as we traditionally have very hard tryouts, but they have done it all with a positive manner and a smile on their face. They want to be here and are embracing even the hardest of the fitness tests with a smile."

Sandpoint lost their top two scorers to graduation, but return senior Luke Leavitt, a speedy forward who had eight goals and four assists last season for the Bulldogs. Seniors Henry Barnes (midfielder) and Conner McClure (forward) are two other Bulldogs to watch out for. Coach Anderson is expecting a lot out of the two this year. Barnes recorded three goals, McClure one goal and two assists last season.

"We have a small senior class of just five and a huge freshman class of 16," coach Anderson said. "There is going to be a lot of responsibility on the seniors' shoulders and I think the three guys mentioned are ready to do that and move forward. It's important that the older guys be examples for our younger guys. We're leaning on these seniors specifically, not just because they're very good players, but because they are three guys who are ready to step into leadership roles."

Junior defenders Isaac Schmit and Caiden Gion return to the pitch. The two played in every game last year for the Bulldogs and even contributed on the offensive end; Gion had two goals and three assists while Schmit recorded one goal and two assists.

In between the posts will be Gavan Miles, a senior who rejoined the team after not playing for a couple of years. Anderson said he is quite good and is excited to have him back.

Coach Anderson said he is very excited about the team's freshman class. Making an immediate impact will be left back Gus Penrose and midfielder Pax Longanecker, younger brother of Sandpoint High stars Jett Longanecker (current College of Idaho player) and Kai Longanecker.

As for the 2024 schedule, most notably, Sandpoint will play Coeur d'Alene and Lake City three times each and is back to taking a trip down to the Boise Area to play a regular season game. They'll head down south to play Vallivue on Sept. 7.

"That's something I wanted to bring back and fought for," coach Anderson said of the team taking an in-season road trip. "I think it's important because it gets the team used to going on trips and playing a high level opponent."

The connection between Vallivue and Sandpoint is that former Bulldog Athletic Director Kris Knowles is now the Falcons AD, which made the game a little easier to line up. They'll come play Sandpoint at War Memorial Field next season.

In addition to coach Anderson himself, Sandpoint brings in some new assistant coaches this season. Formerly the head coach of the junior varsity squad, 2013 Sandpoint High graduate Anthony Fox is now on the varsity staff. 2022 Sandpoint High graduate and former North Idaho College player Tyler Bangle will also be a varsity assistant coach. 

"He's a great addition to the program," coach Anderson said of Bangle. "He's come through the program himself and I coached him all the way through. I'm very confident in his ability and readiness to step up into the role. We have an exciting coaching staff this year."

2003 Sandpoint High graduate Halvor Mikkelsen, who played professionally in Norway, is also acting as a volunteer assistant coach.

"He's a great guy to have around," coach Anderson said. "He does well at imparting his knowledge on the boys and is able to pull them aside and have productive conversations with them. He's been a great addition as well."

All four varsity coaches are Sandpoint High grads, which Anderson said is important to him.

"They know the traditions, know the style of play, and know what's expected out of the athletes as well as what's expected out of themselves," coach Anderson said.

Overall, coach Anderson and his fellow varsity coaches agree, this year's Sandpoint High boys' soccer team is a fun, but hard-working group.

"The sky is the limit for them; it's up to them as far as what were able to accomplish this season," coach Anderson said. "The coaching staff is very excited about what we have. We're only a week in, but we can already see the group really starting to take shape. The overall level of the group is higher than we have had in recent years. Any given guy is going to be able to step in and contribute, and that's exciting as a coach because it allows you to do more things such as getting into more advanced topics, tactics, etc."

Coach Anderson said he owes a lot of thanks to former Sandpoint High head coach Tanner French for turning the program around and getting it back to where many locals believe it should be... competing for state titles.

BOYS SOCCER

8/24 — @ Lake City, 1 p.m.

8/26 — vs. Post Falls, 6 p.m.

9/4 — vs. Moscow, 4:30 p.m.

9/5 — @ Coeur d’Alene, 4:30 p.m.

9/7 — @ Vallivue, 12 p.m.

9/10 — @ Lakeland, 4:30 p.m.

9/12 — @ Lake City, 4:30 p.m.

9/14 — vs. Lewiston, 2 p.m.

9/17 — @ Post Falls, 4:30 p.m.

9/21 — vs. Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m.

9/26 — @ Moscow, 4:30 p.m.

9/28 — @ Lewiston, 12 p.m.

10/1 — vs. Coeur d’Alene, 6:30 p.m.

10/3 — vs. Lakeland, 6 p.m.

10/5 — vs. Lake City, 1 p.m.

    Sandpoint High senior Luke Leavitt fights off a Lake City defender during a Bulldogs home game last season.