Sandpoint freshman football finishes season as conference champions
Submitted by Sandpoint Freshman Football | Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 1 week, 1 day AGO
The Sandpoint High 2024-2025 freshman football team. Pictured, back row from left are Sean Ketchum, Jaxson McElroy, James Ragsdale, assistant coach Fred Blumenberg, assistant coach Jake Palaniuk, Coen Houtrouw, Justice Manske and Hayden Peterson. Middle row, from left are Lincoln Gow, Chase Miller, Daniel Holman, John Holman, Kilean Parker, Asher Buechner, Dillon Lindley and Harlen Anderson. Bottow row, from left are Benson Brown, Conner Brown, Asher Nieman, Gage Martin, Caleb Tomlinson, Jeyden Griffin, Ezra Rutan and Trenton Cross. Not pictured are Weston Chapen, Ben Palmer, Joseph Gurske an…
Photo by Jason Duchow Photography
The Sandpoint High freshman football team finished the season 3-3, notching a 13-6 wet and muddy win over Bonners Ferry, a 29-28 thrilling win over Lewiston, and a 19-0 victory over Lakeland to capture the conference title.
Head coach Tyler Haynes said most of his players played on both sides of the ball and were more than willing to do whatever was needed in order for the team to be successful. Against Lewiston, quarterback Gage Martin hit wide receiver Chase Miller on a 55-yard fade route with the clock winding down to bring the Bulldogs within one point. Haynes and his team decided to go for the two-point conversion and Trenton Cross sealed the deal as he made his way into the endzone untouched off a counter play thanks to some great blocking by the offensive line. Against Lakeland, Coen Houtrouw had six tackles for losses and John Holman had a pick-6 in the fourth quarter to lift the Bulldogs to the shutout.
Coach Haynes said he and his coaching staff constantly commented on how much of a joy it was to coach the boys, noting their was a maturity about them that allowed them to focus on each other, stay in the moment and avoid distractions ... all while having a great time. Overall, the team and the season reminded him of a quote by President Harry Truman.
"It's amazing what a group can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit."