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Sandpoint High School
School Info
Conference: 4A Inland Empire League
Classification: 4A
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Head Coach: Satini Puailoa
Years as Head Coach: 14th season in two stints, ’94-’04; ’12-present
Previous Experience: 8 years in Santa Barbara, CA.
Record Last Year: 6-5
State Titles: 1997
Assistant Coaches:
Chris Lassen
Ray Miller
Crosby Tajan
Al Beard
Larry Jeffereies
Sean Lyon
Vince Huntsberger
Returning Players:
QB Davan Norris
RB Kyle Perry
WR Wyatt Cox
WR Jake Timothy
OL Carlos Collado
OL Alex Feyen
OL Marcus Rodriguez
OL Tyreel Murray
LB Paul Sundquist
LB Mike Plaster
DE Sam Johnson
DL Devin La Croix
DB Colt Engle
DB Caiden Oliver
DB Kaleb Merrill
OB Tyler Presser.
Returning Players with Honors:
All-Conference – Kyle Perry, Wyatt Cox, Carlos Collado, Davan Norris, Paul Sundquist
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Photo By: Jason Duchow - #44 Kyle Perry
Incoming “impact” players:
Logan Magrow (RB/DB)
Rayvin Smith (DB)
Bret Hutchens (DL)
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Team Preview:
Written by: Will Hoenike (@willhoenike)
If you haven’t seen it, it’s one of the most picturesque settings for high school football in the entire state. Memorial Field sits right on the edge of the Pend Oreille River in North Idaho and boasts some incredible views.
It can also be a house of horrors for opposing football teams.
Head coach Satini Puailoa’s program appears to be back, firing on all cylinders, after a couple of down seasons earlier this decade. The Bulldogs finished last season at 6-5 but it should be noted that two of the team’s five losses came to 5A teams in Idaho and a third loss came to a good University High team out of Spokane, Washington. Their fifth and final loss came to state runner-up Sandpoint in the 4A state quarterfinals.
It could be a strong season at Memorial Field in 2015, too, as Sandpoint returns a ton of experience and firepower from 2014.
The Bulldogs averaged over 40 points per game last season and returns its triggerman, QB Davan Norris, as well as all-conference running back Kyle Perry. Four offensive linemen return, too, in Carlos Collado, Alex Feyen, Marcus Rodriguez and Tyrel Murray, along with all-conference receiver Wyatt Cox.
The question doesn’t seem to be a matter of if Sandpoint can put it together on offense, it’s more a matter of doing it on a consistent basis, without turnovers and penalties to thwart drives. Especially against another tough schedule.
The Bulldogs will host a pair of Idaho 5A schools, Lake City and Lewiston, along with a return visit from Spokane’s University High and Mount Spokane High, leading up to conference games against Lakeland (home) and Moscow (away).
The season, however, may hinge more on the Bulldog defense than the offense.
“We gave up too many big plays,” Puailoa said of his defense last season. “We should have more depth and experience.”
Lead the way is all-conference performer Paul Sundquist at linebacker along with Mike Plaster. The team returns three experienced defensive backs (Colt Engle, Caiden Oliver and Kaleb Merrill) behind a pair of returning defensive linemen in Sam Johnson and Devin La Croix. Newcomers Logan Magrow (LB), Rayvin Smith (DB) and Bret Hutchens (DL) provide Puailoa and his staff the depth to cut down on the 31 points-per-game allowed in 2014.
The pieces are in place. Now, it’s about results.
“This group has been together for four years,” Puailoa said. “After having to re-build the culture, these student-athletes have put in the work. All three levels had a winning record. We are excited that the culture has changed and the players are willing to put in the work.”
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