WALLACE FOOTBALL 

Nov. 8 

Carey 86, Wallace 8  

CAREY — The top-ranked Carey Panthers ended the Wallace Miners’ season in the 1A State Playoff quarterfinals last Friday.  

The Panthers simply couldn’t be stopped, opening up a 70-8 lead at halftime before coasting to the win in the second half.  

While it wasn’t the end any of the Wallace faithful wanted and it certainly wasn’t the end that head coach Jared Young and his team foresaw, the 2024 season will be one worth remembering for a long time.  

“We had an 8-2 season, the best season we have had in some time, and achieved an outright North Star League title,” Young said.  

After several middling to down years, the stars aligned for Wallace. The past two years have seen an infusion of young talent that mixed perfectly with the veterans to create a legitimate building block for a program that has been stuck for the better part of the past decade.  

“We had multiple kids contribute to the scoring, our blocking from our O-line was much better this year and just the number of freshman and sophomores playing significant roles bodes well for future seasons,” Young said. “Very proud of the season we had, we were able to put up points at a high clip most of the season and had lots of youth playing and getting better for seasons to come.” 

It was no surprise to Young, or anyone for that matter, that Carey was as good as advertised heading into their matchup last week. The Panthers had a death grip on 1A’s top spot that was solidified after they beat the No. 2 team by 50.  

Young knew the task was a tall one, but the Miners approached it like they had done every other game this year — But, for the young Wallace squad, it simply wasn’t enough.

“They’re a great, well-coached team,” Young said. “They had 11 seniors who knew their jobs very well, and they were physical and talented, but they have been putting in the work for several years to get where they are now. They are easily the best team we have seen in a few years.”  

Young has seen, played and coached a lot of football in his time — So his compliments of Carey shouldn’t be seen as him waving any sort of white flag. Instead, he acknowledged that for all of Carey’s skill and depth, his guys could’ve done some things better. Things he will likely be preaching to them for the next 10 months before the 2025 season kicks off. 

“We could of done many things better against them, but they deserved the win, they outplayed us,” Young said. “They sport over 30 kids playing football, and they learn from an early age the importance of team play. Those guys eat and breathe football down there, and it shows. We ran into a buzz-saw, that’s for sure but now we know what we need to improve upon for next season.”  

Young, who also coaches basketball, will be driving home the principles he hopes to see his guys embrace before they start their offseason training in the spring and summer.  

“Mentally and physically, we need to have a great off-season to match up better next year, but it was good for our guys to make the playoffs and learn what it takes to be a champion, and the work you need to put in,” Young said. “I think our team is on the right path for success, and the future is bright for the Miners. We have a lot of youth and a great weights program. I can’t say enough about the kids on our team, they have made big leaps forward this season, and I look forward to next year’s team. We’re gonna miss our seniors that’s for sure, but we have a bright future and kids willing to work, and that’s a good mix for success.” 

Wallace is a community that rallies around their own, win or lose. But when things are up, it’s a different feeling throughout that community. Young and Co. understand this and hope to keep the momentum going. Not just for them, but for the Wallace community.  

“Our community has been great in supporting us this year, and they do a lot for our program so thank you to them and the families of our players,” Young said. “Wallace is a place with great tradition and pride, and I think our kids are learning that, and want to be great for them. We will keep working and putting in the time to represent our community the best we can, and our school.”  

ALL LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL TEAMS  

• 3A Central Idaho League  

MVP — Adalei Lefebvre, sr., Grangeville.  

Coach of the Year — Heidi Summers, Orofino.  

All-league  

Dani Henrikson, jr., Kellogg; Paige Yrjana, so., Kellogg; Jordyn Stutzke, so., Kellogg; Rilee Diffin, sr., Orofino; Livia Johnson, sr., Orofino; Desi Humphrey, sr., Priest River; Toni Marinello, jr., Priest River; Jayda Storro, jr., Priest River; Mia Asbury, sr., St. Maries; Brenna Elliott, sr., St. Maries.  

Honorable mention  

Madalyn Green, sr.; Grangeville; Caryss Barger, jr., Grangeville; Addisyn Vanderwall, jr., Grangeville; Tyra Lefebvre, fr., Grangeville; Aubree Groth, sr., Kellogg; Ella Yrjana, fr., Kellogg; Ragen Oertli, sr., Kellogg; Rachael Province, jr., Orofino; Aleigha Jenson, jr., Priest River; Ragyn Turner, so., Priest River.  

• 2A Scenic Idaho Conference  

MVP — Tylah Lambert, jr., Lakeside  

All-league  

Laya Daniels, sr., Genesis Prep; Bethany Phillips, sr., Wallace; Madi Cooper, sr., Genesis Prep; Kylee Phillips, jr., Wallace; Rayna Thomas, jr., Lakeside; Aubrey Birdsell, jr., Wallace; Aurora Lane, jr. Clark Fork.  

• 1A North Idaho League  

MVP — Chloe Dorman, jr., Kootenai.  

All-league  

Emma Anderson, sr., Coeur du Christ; Kate Clemens, jr., Coeur du Christ; Madeline Junkin, jr., Coeur du Christ; Avah Blankenship, jr., Mullan; Claire Cook, jr., Kootenai; Hannah Stiles, sr., Kootenai; Lucky Aliji, jr., Mullan.