Written by: Brandon Baney
Each of the past five seasons at Post Falls High have been remarkably similar. Just look at the records by season:
2023: 6-4
2022: 7-3
2021: 5-4
2020: 5-4
2019: 6-4
The similarities don’t end there. Four of the five seasons resulted in a playoff appearance (the non-playoff year was in 2021, when the Trojans were on the wrong side of a three-way tie at the top of the Inland Empire League standings).
Despite the four playoff appearances (and four home playoff openers to go along with it), each has ended the same:
2023: Loss to Mountain View 24-14
2022: Loss to Rocky Mountain 22-0
2020: Loss to Mountain View 44-41
2019: Loss to Timberline 19-7
It’s a vexing problem that veteran coach Blaine Bennett hopes to solve in 2024.
He’ll do so with a mixed group of newcomers and returning starters. Among the losses are running back Tevin Burns (Class 5A’s top rusher a year ago), tight end Asher Bowie (now playing at Eastern Washington), linebacker Cooper Craig (now playing at Montana Tech) and defensive back Tayce Genatone (now playing at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana).
But the returners are good, too. Seniors Devin Burton and Tyras Blake earned All-League honors at running back and defensive back, respectively, a year ago. Starting quarterback Isaac McKeown is back for his senior season, senior Chris Click will anchor the defensive line, and senior Trenton McLean could contribute at both wide receiver and defensive back.
With Burns no longer in the Post Falls backfield, the Trojans may opt to pass the ball more than they have in years past.
“We are a hurry-up, no-huddle offense and like to play fast,” says Bennett. “We’re going to run the ball and find great matchups to get our skill guys the ball in space.”
The Trojans’ secondary figures to be a strength on defense, and the linebackers have good potential, also.
“We align out of a 4-2 formation,” says Bennett. “We want to dictate where the ball goes by alignment, and play fast and physical to the football. We pride ourselves on tackling and turning the ball over.”
Like so many teams, though, Post Falls’ success will ultimately be determined on how quickly a new group of linemen can acclimate themselves to the varsity level.
“It comes down to the offensive and defensive lines,” says Bennett. “We’re replacing a very experienced group of starters with some returners and some talented newcomers.”