Ready for Some Football?!

Coeur d’Alene High School has consistently held its position as a football powerhouse over the years, coming off their 2013 season with a 5A State Championship title and only three early season losses. While some coaches and fans may express concern that the loss of a talented group of graduating seniors will have the Vikings scrambling to hold on to their title – remember 2010 and 2011 were also state championship years for these athletes, this team is accustomed to winning despite all odds.

And remember 2013 was also the year that Head Coach Shawn Amos battled and beat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while his son and starting quarterback, Gunnar, suffered a concussion during the season and broke his ankle at the start of playoffs. To say that some of these players and coaches have been tested is an understatement.

Wide Receiver Coach Tony Carrico says much of what they do is a matter of tradition, “There is an expectation that we put on these guys. We intentionally bring the younger ones up and show them what it takes to win games.”

Carrico uses the phrase “confident not cocky,” carefully in his position – acknowledging that each season is challenging and the schedule is tough. The always-looming threat of injury is something they don’t take for granted.

“We’ll play one game at a time. We’ve got a tough league in the Inland Empire League (IEL) with some big rivalries within our own community like Post Falls and Lake City High School,” he notes. “Then there are schools like Highland (Pocatello) that always challenge us.” Highland beat the Vikings during regular-season play last year, but lost to Coeur d’Alene in the championship game.

Coach Jeff Vesser says this year’s group of Vikings is fast, citing speed and a talented group of senior wide receivers and running backs. Vesser says, “After losing much of our O- and D-lineman, we will need new faces to emerge and seize their opportunity.”

Coaches are excited to see what they get out of Captains: Drew Berger (LB-RB); Ryan Walde (DB-WR); Jonny Plum (DB-WR); Cole Williams (FS-WR); Myles Flanagan (LB-OL) and Gibson Green (LB-RB).

Carrico also noted that the coaching staff has a team dynamic that has helped in leading the team, “We genuinely like hanging out together as coaches. We’re a team too.”

Coaching staff: Head Coach: Shawn Amos Offensive Coord: Ron Nelson Defensive Coord: Jeff Vesser LB’s: Derek Edwards DL: Brian Holgate OL: Dustin Shafer and Corey Brown WR: Tony Carrico

Lake City High School

Lake City High School is home of the Timberwolves and a consistently good football team led by Head Coach Van Troxel. Troxel’s team finished their 2013 season 6 and 3, putting them among Idaho’s top 10 teams. Lake City has seen success at the state level as well, winning championships in 2002 at the 4A level and 5A in 2006.

Coach Van Troxel says his wolf pack is looking “big, physical and fast” and ready to give chase to a challenging schedule of teams - many of which are in his own back yard. “There’s nothing easy in this schedule,” he notes.

Troxel says the reigning state champ on the other side of town is certainly one to beat this season, but he notes powerhouses like Post Falls and Shadle Park High School in north Spokane are going to be teams to keep an eye on.

“North Idaho is playing as good or better football than the big schools in the southern part of the state.” Troxel also mentions that with the new playoff system – three 5A teams from North Idaho could potentially make the Idaho High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) state playoffs.

The Timberwolves’ 15-man leadership team consists of seniors: Drew Shipley (QB); Sam Slusser (CB-WR); Jerry McGee (HB-CB); Kirk McKenzie (LB-RB); Michael Goggin (QB-WR); Conner Newby (RB-S); Dylan Torres (LB-TE); Blake Brunetti (LB-OL); Jacob Pierard (OL); Jacob Ramey (OL-DL); Zion Dixon (OL-DL) and juniors: Colin Hunter (QB-WR); Scott Helsper (HB-DB); Kyle Swenson (OL-DL) and Connor Melius (OL-DL).

Troxel says McGee is his obvious superstar, the 5’9”, 175-pound senior holds the Idaho State 400 meter record in track and has been a three-year starter for the Timberwolves. The team was also fortunate to pick up transfer student Sam Slusser, who moved to the area from Centennial High School in Boise. Another player to watch according to Troxel: the 6-foot, 210 Dylan Torres. “ He’s going to be very exciting,” says Troxel. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he (Torres) does this year.”

Coaching Staff: Van Troxel

Offensive Coordinator: Russ Blank

Defensive Coordinator: Travis Harmon

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