Last season: 3-7, last in Inland Empire League.

Coaches: Ryan Knowles ('97) (head coach and defensive coordinator), eighth year; George Yarno (offensive line and offensive coordinator); Mike Dean ('98) (offensive line); Travis Garrison ('02) (running backs); Scott Albertson ('86) and Chris Taylor (defensive backs); Matt Majors (linebackers); Matt Waterous ('05) (junior varsity head coach and varsity wide receivers); Warren Eggar (kickers); A.J. Smith ('10) (junior varsity assistant and defensive line).

Key returners: Braden Buckhout, QB, sr.; Lucas Garrison, SS/FS, sr.; Maverick Gomez, WR, sr.; Jeremiah Palmer, RB/DE, sr.; Damian Porter, MLB, jr.; Jeven Meyer, OL, sr.; Isaac Jordan, OL, sr.; Owen Hughes, OL, sr.

Key newcomers: Brock Yarbrough, WR/LB, jr.; Jensen Sheetz, RB, jr.; Roman Turnbull, MLB, sr.; Darrin Flanigan, TE/DE, sr.; Trey Blumenberg, WR/CB, jr.; Devin McEneney, CB, jr.; Logan Iverson, S/QB, jr.; Mason McLain, T/DE, jr.

Key losses to graduation: Drew Lehman, QB; Van Lee, FS; Brady Newhart, WR; Jesse Turner, WR/TE; Wylie Wimmer, MLB; Jorden Tyler, SS; Ashlei Hawkins, RB; Gage McElroy, OLB; Triston Tomco, T.

Outlook: A six-game losing streak to end the 2024 campaign certainly wasn't how the Bulldogs, who haven't suffered from a losing record since 2018, drew it up. A large class of seniors was lost due to graduation, including two-year starting quarterback Drew Lehman, but coach Knowles has a hungry group of veterans and newcomers ready to step up and right the ship.

Braden Buckhout will assume the starting quarterback role. The senior gunslinger showcased his arm strength last season while he split time with Lehman. Standing at 6-foot-3-inches and 190 pounds, he completed 65 of his 126 passes for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, only allowing three interceptions in the process. He carried the ball 26 times for 78 yards, numbers that are surely set to increase now that he'll be taking the majority of the snaps.

Buckhout will have a lot of weapons to work with, most notably senior wideout Maverick Gomez (6-1, 180), a state champion in the 200-meter dash this past spring. Set to be a three-year varsity team member this year, he's compiled 402 receiving yards on 24 receptions and 129 yards on 15 carries to go along with six total touchdowns across the last two seasons. Two other names you'll hear often over the loudspeaker at War Memorial Field are junior wide receiver Brock Yarbrough (6-2, 190) and senior tight end Darrin Flanigan (6-0, 180); the duo will also line up on the defensive side of the ball. In the backfield, dynamic two-way player Jeremiah Palmer (5-11, 210) will have the rock in his hands often. The only returning All-Inland Empire League selection, he piled up 444 yards on 62 carries and scored three touchdowns a year ago. On defense, he tallied 17 total tackles, including five for a loss and three sacks. Junior Jensen Sheetz (5-7, 175) will line up in the backfield as well and take on an increased workload. Paving the way for all this yardage will be returning senior offensive linemen Jeven Meyer (5-11, 220) Isaac Jordan (6-3, 225) and Owen Hughes (6-0, 240). Juniors Jaiden Moss (6-1, 230), Owen Erickson (6-3, 220) and Mason McLain (6-3, 200) will look to fill in the remaining spots.

In addition to Palmer, Lucas Garrison (5-11, 185), strong safety, will have a prominent role as a returning starter in the secondary. The senior has a knack for hunting down opposing players, recording 73 total tackles, 36 solo, and recovering two fumbles in 2024. Helping out the cause will be incoming juniors Logan Iverson (6-0, 160), Trey Blumenberg (6-3, 180) and Devin McEneney (N/A), with senior Roman Turnbull (5-11, 185) and junior Damian Porter (N/A) leaping into the Bulldogs' coveted middle linebacker positions. The aforementioned will be critical in helping Sandpoint create more turnovers and limit big plays — the Bulldogs gave up 31.9 points per game in 2024, a number that needs to be lowered if they're going to recapture the 5A Inland Empire League title.

Like usual, Sandpoint has one of the toughest regular season schedules in the 5A classification, even adding an away game against 4A Teton after St. Maries opted out of this year's home-and-home. The groundwork has been laid; now it's time for the Bulldogs to get to work.

Coach's comments: "I don't think I've ever been this excited about a year of Bulldog football. I'm really excited to get out there and play. We're really trying to simplify the game and have a good time — a football good time. It's hard-nosed, it's tough. I just want the kids to go out there and have a good time with all aspects of the sport."  - Coach Ryan Knowles 

On scheduling Teton: "When the St. Maries date opened up, we knew it was a long shot. We called far and wide and nobody within a hotel stay was going to play us. We were going to have a bye, until Teton called back last week and said they could make it work... I asked the boys and they said let's go play some football." - Coach Ryan Knowles

On Braden Buckhout at quarterback: "He had a fantastic offseason. He didn't miss anything, blink at anything. He stands in front of the team and I have a lot of confidence in him and how he throws the ball. I also have a lot of confidence in how he handles the offense." - Coach Ryan Knowles 

On two-way player Jeremiah Palmer: "He's a traditional bell cow. He's a leader of this team. Since his freshman year, he's been the strongest guy in the weight room. He works his butt off and is a 'bring it every day' type of guy." - Coach Ryan Knowles 

On Jensen Sheetz in the backfield: "You're going to be saying 'who's that next great Sandpoint running back? Because he's that guy. He's tough, built, smart, a leader... he's one of those guys you gravitate towards." - Coach Ryan Knowles 

On Roman Turnbull at middle linebacker: "He's falling right in line... he's bought into the culture of that position and it's been fun to watch." - Coach Ryan Knowles 

Player comments: "I have been waiting since my sophomore year for this. I've put in a lot of work this offseason. I think my strengths are reading the defense and analyzing it. I feel really prepared coming into this year." - Braden Buckhout

"I've been building up one step at a time. I try not to worry about the pressure too much, just have been keeping my head down and grinding. It will be interesting to see how we do on the road and I'm excited for those matchups." - Jeremiah Palmer.

"It's a new season, so anything can happen. We just have to go into it with our head down. I feel like this year's team is a lot more connected, and that is going to help us pull through when things get tough." - Roman Turnbull

"I've been working on my route running and catching abilities, lots of deep routes. I think my speed will help me create separation and take it to the house. I feel like we have a really good bond within the offense. Our passing abilities are really strong with Braden under center." - Maverick Gomez

Most anticipated matchup: Lakeland

Fun fact: The Bulldogs will travel a total of 2,376 miles round-trip between their first two away matchups against Twin Falls and Teton. That's the most out of any team in the state of Idaho.

Sandpoint Football Schedule 

8/22 — @ Twin Falls, 7 p.m. 

8/29 — @ Teton, 4 p.m. 

9/5 — vs. Post Falls, 7 p.m. 

9/12 — @ A.C. Davis (Yakima), 7 p.m. 

9/18 — @ Pocatello (in Missoula), 4 p.m. 

9/26 — @ Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m. 

10/3 — vs. Lake City, 7 p.m. 

10/10 — @ Lewiston, 7 p.m. 

10/17 — vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m. 

10/31 — IHSAA Playoffs (first round), TBD

* Schedule as of 8/20, dates and times subject to change 

2024 RESULTS

8/23 — vs. Twin Falls W 36-26

8/30 — @ St. Maries W 54-14

9/6 — @ Post Falls L 38-13

9/13 — vs. A.C. Davis W 37-13

9/20 — vs. Pocatello L 49-48

9/27 — vs. Coeur d'Alene L 46-20

10/4 — @ Lake City L 20-14

10/11 — vs. Lewiston L 37-27

10/18 — @ Lakeland L 41-7

11/1 — @ Hillcrest L 35-0

* denotes state playoff game

    Sandpoint High senior quarterback Braden Buckhout runs the ball upfield during the Bulldogs' 54-14 non-league win over St. Maries last season.