Last season, the Sandpoint High School football team was coming off a disappointing 3-8 season with few believing in them, but the Bulldogs' head coach Ryan Knowles knew his 2025 team could turn it around. 

Knowles was right, as Sandpoint went 8-3 with a playoff victory. Now, as the Bulldogs work toward the 2026 season, he's getting Deja vu.  

"These guys are committed; they're doing what they're supposed to be doing. It's a little bit of 'Why not?'" Knowles said. "I'm really looking forward to just getting out there and playing football because they have the ability, they have the unity, they have the coaching and the program behind them, they have the town support, they have tremendous facilities, they have a great schedule." 

Repeating the success of last year won't be easy as Sandpoint lost several key starters including quarterback Braden Buckhout, wideout Maverick Gomez and linebacker Roman Turnbull. However, Knowles believes that the Bulldogs have the pieces to fill those gaps. 

That will start with the next starting quarterback, senior Logan Iverson. Knowles said the most important position on the field was up for debate in the spring, but Iverson's impressive play over the summer has him feeling confident in the basketball star. 

"He just has that mentality of 'I'm QB1, like give me the ball bag,'" Knowles said. " He sacrifices a lot of his own time for getting better in development and being a leader and helping other players get better... I'm not so sure that Logan can't do what Braden did last year." 

While Iverson will lead the offense, the star of Sandpoint will no doubt be senior Swiss army-knife Brock Yarbrough. The 6-foot-2 Yarbrough plays linebacker and wide receiver for the Bulldogs and is fresh off a 1,000-yard receiving season and 64 total tackles a year ago. 

"Having Brock back, obviously, gives you a lot of confidence," Knowles said. "He's pretty prolific in what he does." 

Yarbrough will be opposite senior pass catcher Jack Schriber, who will seek to fill the 1,000-yard hole left by Gomez' departure. As a junior, Schriber flashed his potential and totaled three touchdowns on just 12 catches. 

Sandpoint will have senior running back Jensen Sheetz returning to provide a consistent presence in the backfield. Knowles said that Sheetz's rehab was progressing well over the summer and has come back strong. He'll be backed up by junior Trent Cross, who will provide versatility to the Bulldogs' run game. 

Blocking for the skill position players will be returners Jaiden Watson and Owen Erickson, with three newcomers on the offensive line: Cope Palmer, Dylan Lindley and Justice Mansky.  

"Coach Yarno and Coach Dean work with them a lot, and our O-lines always get better with every rep and every game that we play," Knowles said. "Really happy with the continuity we've had at O-line in our system and everything they do." 

Alongside Yarbrough defensively, the Bulldogs also return senior linebacker Damian Porter. The outside linebacker recorded 73 total tackles last season, bringing his varsity total above 100. Knowles said these two will be key to helping settle a defense which has only one returning starter on the defensive line. 

That one returner is senior Mason McLain, and Knowles said he's met the challenge of leading the group. He'll be leading the group headlined by Tucker Overland, Sean Ketchum and Owen Mansky, though Knowles said his defensive line rotation will consist of around six to eight linemen to keep them fresh. 

"He's a leader. He's one of the hardest workers on the team," Knowles said of McLain. " I think we do have, I think we do have eight that are capable." 

On the back end, Sandpoint is set to return three of their four starters with Devin McEnaney and Trey Blumenberg at corner and Schriber back at safety. Knowles said the team is still looking for their Lucas Garrison replacement to round out the starting secondary. 

"Our seven-on-sevens this summer were a lot of fun. I thought the boys did really well and had a lot of success," Knowles said. "So, we'll see how that translates into 11-on-11, right?" 

Knowles said the team's schedule is far more favorable this season with five home games and no lengthy travel but knows that league play is going to be as challenging as ever. He added that he can't wait for the team to get back in action at War Memorial Field on Aug. 21 against Twin Falls. 

"It's always nice to see a full stadium and the crowds that are just awesome and so into this," Knowles said. "It makes all the hard work and the dedication of the kids and the coaches worth it. To see everyone support it, singing the fight song and ringing that bell. It's fall; it's Friday football season." 

FUN FACT: Brock Yarbrough was featured in three of IdahoSports.com's top 10 player rankings as a special teamer, linebacker and pass catcher. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Brock Yarbrough, sr.; Jensen Sheetz, sr.; Jack Schriber jr.; Mason McLain, sr. 

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME: All of them. 

SCHEDULE: 

- 8/21 vs Twin Falls, 7 p.m. 

- 8/28 @ Kuna, 7 p.m. 

- 9/4 @ Post Falls, 7 p.m. 

- 9/11 vs Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m. 

- 9/18 vs Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m. 

- 9/25 @ Lake City, 7 p.m. 

- 10/2 vs Moscow, 7 p.m. 

- 10/16 vs Lewiston, 7 p.m. 

- 10/23 @ Lakeland, 7 p.m. 

*Schedule as of 8/20, subject to change