Northwest Notes January 31, 2012

Puailoa tabbed to return as Sandpoint football coach

SANDPOINT - After a hiatus of seven seasons, former Sandpoint High football coach Satini Puailoa has been recommended by a selection committee to return to the sidelines as football coach.

Puailoa would replace Mike Mitchell, who resigned recently to coach overseas.

Puailoa re-energized the Bulldog football program when he first took over in 1994. He coached Sandpoint to a state championship in 1997, and resigned following the 2004 season.

Sandpoint was 1-8 last season.

In 2005, Puailoa appeared on the ESPN reality show "Bound For Glory," in which famed NFL linebacker Dick Butkus coached a small, down-on-its-luck high school football team toward the playoffs. After his television appearance, he traveled the country hosting performance training seminars and coaching clinics.

"I've really never stopped coaching," Puailoa said.

Puailoa's hiring is contingent on approval from the Lake Pend Oreille school board.

Toomer, Novikoff to compete in Players All-Star Classic

Former Idaho Vandal football players Korey Toomer and Tyrone Novikoff are headed for the Players All-Star Classic in Little Rock, Ark., next Saturday.

Novikoff of Curlew, was a 2011 team captain during his senior season with the Vandals. He started 25 straight games for the Vandals and played in 46 during his four-year career at offensive tackle.

Toomer, who originally signed with Idaho out of Shadow Ridge High, joined the Vandals in 2009 after two seasons at Arizona Western College. After redshirting in 2010, he earned a starting linebacker and also was a backup at fullback. He was voted team MVP in 2011, with 68 total tackles and three touchdowns.

The game will be played at Little Rock's Memorial Stadium.

For complete game information and rosters, visit www.playersallstarclassic.com.