Written by: Brandon Baney
The Grangeville Bulldogs are a perfect example of why you can't judge a team based solely upon its' win-loss record.
In 2021, the Bulldogs finished 3-6 overall, which doesn't seem great. But look at the teams they lost to:
A Class 4A school: Moscow (by a score of 16-8)
A trio of Class 3A schools: Bonners Ferry, Kellogg (made the playoffs), and Weiser (won the 3A state championship)
And two fellow Class 2A schools: Melba (made the quarterfinals) and West Side (won the 2A state championship).
That is an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. The loss to West Side came in the quarterfinals of the 2A playoffs, as Grangeville made the postseason despite the sub-.500 record by going 2-0 in the Central Idaho League.
The CIL expands to five teams this year, as Kellogg and Priest River drop down from the 3A ranks. Grangeville's recent hold on the CIL title may be challenged by one of the newcomers, especially Kellogg.
But sixth-year coach Jeff Adams and his team will continue to do what Grangeville has done so well the past couple of seasons: play smashmouth football by running between the tackles and stuffing the opposing team's ground game.
There's no denying that Grangeville lost a lot of talented players, including Caleb Frei, a standout running back and linebacker. Frei was the CIL Offensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Also gone are Jerod Lindsley (QB/DL), Miles Lefebvre (WR/DB), Quincy Daniels (OL), Issic Dewey (OL/DL) and Rusty Bagget (DB). All earned all-conference honors a year ago.
If a new group of varsity players can gel quickly, Grangeville will have a chance to compete at the 2A level this year.
The Bulldogs have decided to challenge themselves with their schedule again this year. They open the season on the road against Cole Valley Christian, the overwhelming favorite in the Western Idaho Conference, on August 26th.