Team Preview:
Written By: Will Hoenike

When people talk about Idaho high school football factories, the Coeur d’Alene Vikings belong near – if not at – the top of the list.

Head coach Shawn Amos estimated at least 40 student-athletes from Coeur d’Alene have advanced from the Inland Empire League gridiron wars to college football since 2010. That’s an average of five or six per season, which is impressive. Take last season’s graduating class for example: quarterback Colson Yankoff (Washington), lineman Noah Gunn (Air Force), linebacker Ross Chadderdon (Idaho), receiver Cole Ramseyer (Boise State), running back/linebacker Caleb Beggerly (Montana Tech), receiver/defensive back Kyler Prendergast (Montana Tech) .. and that’s not even all of them.

Looking at that list, you can draw two conclusions about the Vikings. First, Amos and his staff do a tremendous job of player development. That much is clear. And, secondly, there are big shoes to fill on pretty much a yearly basis. This fall is no different.

Gone is Yankoff, the all-state quarterback. First in line to step into that role is senior Kale Edwards. The 6-foot-4 senior was actually the program’s third-stringer last season behind Yankoff and Brady Thompson, but still appeared in six games as a junior. Easing his transition will be the return of senior running back Shilo Morgan, who ran for nearly 800 yards and eleven touchdowns last fall.

The Vikings offense posted 35 points (or more) in eight of their nine wins in 2017 but, with just one starter returning, it may take time for the machine to start rolling again.

“While the offense graduated all but one starter, the skill guys and the talent level up front look promising early on,” Amos noted. “As with all our teams, we will lean on our senior leadership.”

Linemen Jordan Johns, Caden Friis and Tanner Peterson will be part of that senior leadership, as will skill players Kyle DeWitte (WR/DB), Kade Palmer (DB) and Ryan Linehan (TE/DE).

Though the backfield appears senior-laden, there’s a good group of juniors vying for time on the edges on offense. Juniors Colbey Nosworthy, Jake Brown, Hunter Brett and Brendan Crawford are among the players who will vie for prominent roles when Coeur d’Alene takes the field for the season opener at Rigby on August 24.

That same group will battle for opportunities in the defensive secondary or at linebacker. Senior Garrett Hagel returns at linebacker after being the only non-senior to earn All-IEL accolades last fall, giving the Vikings a nice building block on the defensive side of the ball to anchor the incoming players. It’s a situation that will be worth watching as the season goes on.

“Team speed should be a strength,” Amos said of his defense. “Young, athletic secondary will need to build consistency and trust but has the tools.”

As usual, Amos has compiled a very tough schedule for his team leading up to IEL league play. After facing Rigby, who nearly topped a powerful Mountain View team on the road in the 5A playoffs last fall, Coeur d’Alene returns home for four consecutive home games against top-flight competition. Perennial Washington powerhouse Gonzaga Prep, Mead (WA), Eisenhower (WA) and perennial Idaho powerhouse Highland of Pocatello come to Coeur d’Alene in successive weeks from August 31 to September 21 before the team’s bye week. Then comes league play.

The four-team IEL gets two teams into the 5A state playoffs, so competition will be fierce.

“(The IEL is) always well-coached,” Amos concluded. “We hope our non-league schedule gets us ready for the battles with our league opponents.”