Written by: Brandon Baney
The Coeur d’Alene Vikings stormed their way to a second consecutive Inland Empire League title in 2024, finishing 8-3 overall before falling to Eagle in the 6A semifinals, 28-14.
Until Post Falls or Lake City proves capable of toppling Coeur d’Alene from its lofty perch, the Vikings will continue to be considered the IEL favorite.
The Trojans finished 7-4 last season with a 21-0 loss to Coeur d’Alene among their regular season defeats. Post Falls finally got over the postseason hump, though, with a first round win over Borah, 49-21. Their journey ended in the 6A quarterfinals against eventual state champion Rigby.
Lake City, meanwhile, continues to build under third-year head coach Byron Hout. The Timberwolves just missed out on an at-large berth to the 6A playoffs, finishing 4-5 overall with a 17-7 loss to Coeur d’Alene and a 28-6 setback to the Trojans.
COEUR D’ALENE
Coeur d’Alene succeeded on the strength of quarterback Caden Symons a year ago. The 6-foot-5 gunslinger threw for 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, averaging just under 15 yards per completion.
Symons is back for his senior season, but five of his top six targets (Kai Wheeler, Evan Williams, Kolbe Coey, Jayson Cady, Tucker Booth and Anthony Browning) graduated.
Shawn Amos, who embarks upon his 28th season as Vikings head coach, says Coeur d’Alene has replacements ready to go.
“We lost some quality offensive players to graduation,” Amos admits. “But we have several key players returning that are ready to step in and fill the void. Our depth should allow us to increase tempo.”
While a new group of skill position players are broken in, Coeur d’Alene can rely upon three returning starters on the offensive line: seniors Colt Robertson, Dylan Memmott and Rylan Peterson. Connor Keaggy, David Scott, Reid Ramsay, Dawson Riley, Brady Thompson and Ty Ball are all competing for the other two starting slots.
Senior George Mitchell and juniors Ben Murray and Gibson Comstock are among the contenders to start at wide receiver, while senior H-Back/Tight Ends Ian Dahlin and Daniel Shoup will be utilized in several different ways. Senior Christian Young will step into the starting running back spot left open by Browning’s graduation.
As impressive as Coeur d’Alene’s offense was in 2024, their defense was truly the bedrock of their success. The Vikings allowed just 16 points per game, and Amos says Coeur d’Alene will hang their hat on defense once again in 2025.
“Team speed and athleticism should be a strength,” he says. “I’m optimistic that our depth, especially up front, will translate to increased production on the field.”
Robertson will be a factor on the defensive line, as will senior Mateo Rhea at defensive end. The linebackers will be led by Dahlin. Shoup and Murray will both start at safety, while a mix of newcomers will compete for time at cornerback.
While several starting positions need to be sorted out during the early portion of Coeur d’Alene’s schedule, the Vikings’ track record of success suggests that by November, the machine will be well-oiled yet again.
“Spring and summer workouts have been strong,” says Amos. “It appears we will have depth going into the season, but it will be tested with tough early matchups. I’m excited for the opportunity for several old and young players to establish key roles and contribute to our success.”
POST FALLS
After several first round playoff exits, the Trojans finally got over the hump in 2024, dispatching Borah in their playoff opener, 49-21, before falling to eventual champ Rigby in the quarterfinals, 52-21. Many seniors departed from last year’s 7-4 squad, but tenth year head coach Blaine Bennett is excited for the challenge.
“Same schedule, new group of leaders,” Bennett states. “We are a true two-platoon program. We try to identify the best 22 players and play them at a position where the team can be most successful.”
Post Falls’ spread offense will be anchored by returning starters Jace Ostlund at quarterback, Brandon Felix at running back, and Alexander Scholes and Sam Shields on the line.
The Trojans’ 4-3 defense is bolstered by returnees Cruze Woydziak and Marcus Sanchez at defensive end, Damion Hamilton at linebacke and Alex Dean and Elliot Ries in the secondary.
“The X-factor is how fast we can play early on and well our players develop at the position they start at this season,” says Bennett.
LAKE CITY
The Timberwolves finished 4-5 a season ago, and were the first team squeezed out of the 6A postseason picture. One game can often make the difference, and third year head coach Byron Hout believes the pieces are in place to help Lake City get to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
“We have a veteran O-line and good team speed,” Hout says. “We are going on Year 3 so the execution of the scheme should be there by now.”
That veteran offensive line is headlined by a trio of talented seniors: Bronson Best, Maverick Lanigen and Eli Aparicio. That unit paved the way for quarterback Avrey Cherry and running back Gabe Wullenwaber last year, but both of those playmakers have graduated.
Junior Britton Johnston will take the reins as Lake City’s new QB, and he will have two experienced receivers to throw to in seniors Jacob Hill and Preston Beamsderfer. Junior wideout Caden Tony has big play potential, as well.
“Offensively, we need to improve on turnovers and self-inflicted errors like dropped snaps, penalties, and fumbles,” says Hout.
Defensively, senior linebacker Cade Fledderman and senior defensive end Rashun Young will be relied upon. “We have veteran linebackers, so we can be multiple in scheme and still play fundamentally sound,” says Hout. “However, we lost several defensive backs, and we will need to replace them.”