Sandpoint 1, Coeur d'Alene Charter 0

SANDPOINT — Want some popcorn with that win?

Senior Huxley Hall scored on a header from junior Knox Williams, junior goalkeeper Landon Brinkmeier recorded five saves and fended off several late chances, and the Bulldogs took home the inaugural Popcorn Cup with a senior night defeat of the unbeaten Panthers in a non-league game held Monday at War Memorial Field.

During the 73rd minute, Williams' cross from near the right-side corner was perfectly placed for a waiting Hall, who found the back of the net after the opposing goalkeeper wasn't able to clear the pass.

"That's why I don't want to take him off the field, because even if he's having a quiet game, he can pop up and score those goals," Sandpoint High head coach Dan Anderson said of the 2024 5A IEL MVP. "I was happy to see him get the job done in a big game that was close — another bow he can add to his quiver."

Coeur d'Alene Charter made several pushes late in the contest, all of which were cleared by the Bulldogs' senior-led back line, and one of which was a shot on goal that Brinkmeier saved after making a dive to the top right-hand corner of the net during the 78th minute.

The Panthers, the 4A state runner-up in 2024, were 12-0 and outscoring opponents 68-1 entering the contest.

"Landon was incredible," coach Anderson noted of the standout junior, who notched his sixth shutout of the year in the win. "When he had something to do, he was up to the task and really put his body on the line for us. A few of those saves were just fearless and top notch."

Seniors Isaac Schmit, Jack Treman, Travis Morgan, Asher Hazan, Caiden Gion, Logan McGrann, Jasey Treman and Hall were all honored for their efforts over the years on the evening.

"It's a great group of guys and I'm going to be sad to see them go," coach Anderson said of his seniors. "They'll leave a lasting legacy on the program and hopefully they learned a lot about being a good human along the way."

As for how the Popcorn Cup came to be, Mike Lehosit, the father of CDA Charter junior captain Creighton Lehosit and the owner of Hayden Cinemas and co-owner of Sandpoint Cinemas, spearheaded the idea. A giant popcorn trophy and free movie passes were awarded to Sandpoint for the win. The two teams are now planning on making the event an annual one.

"We've never had anything like this before, so it's nice, especially on senior night, to be a part of something like this," Sandpoint High captains Isaac Schmit, Caiden Gion and Logan McGrann said in a joint interview about winning the inaugural event. "Overall, our physicality and intensity on defense, even our substitutes, were just battling the whole time and didn't give their offense a break. We were really able to combine in the midfield and create good chances."

No. 1 Sandpoint (11-3-2) may enjoy their movie night as they await the results of a 5A Inland Empire League district playoff play-in game between No. 4 Lakeland/No. 5 Post Falls, set to be held on Tuesday. The Bulldogs will host the winner of the play-in Saturday at 6 p.m. at War Memorial Field for the first round of the district tournament.

1st half — None. 2nd half — 1, SPT, Huxley Hall (Knox Williams), 73'.

Shots on goal: Sandpoint — 11. CDA Charter — 5.

Saves: Sandpoint — Landon Brinkmeier 5. CDA Charter — Mattis Macmillan 10.