Bulldogs host Mt. Home in playoff opener

SANDPOINT -  When coaches start preaching the time-honored clichés like "preventing the big plays," "not making turnovers," and "limiting penalties," it can only mean one thing: The playoffs are here.

After a one-year hiatus, playoff football returns to Barlow Stadium tonight when the Bulldogs host the Mountain Home Tigers in the first round of the 4A state championships.

Sandpoint (4-5) has been riding a roller coaster in the last couple weeks, winning a huge game against Moscow, then getting upset by Lakeland, before finally rendering it all meaningless with a huge Kansas tie breaker playoff win over the two teams on Monday night to earn a playoff berth.

"We prepared so hard for that (tie breaker)," said Sandpoint head coach Mike Mitchell. "We played as good as you can ask a team to play; we were all business."

Mitchell believes his team has learned some valuable lessons along the way, and hopes they'll pay dividends tonight against Mountain Home (8-1), which tied for first in the 4A Southern Idaho Conference. While the Tigers' record sparkles, it has come mostly against 4A competition, while Sandpoint has played against four 5A schools.

The Tigers are very similar offensively to the Bulldogs, featuring a spread offense and a quarterback who can distribute the ball in Kyle Kerfoot. They also run some option, play very physical, and know how to finish football games. Their wins came against Jerome, Caldwell, Middleton, Columbia, Bishop Kelly, Skyview, Emmett and Kuna. Their lone defeat was a 54-7 beating at the hands of Nampa.

Leading the Sandpoint offense will be quarterback Jake Semones, a slick left-hander who has completed more than 70 percent of his passes on the season for more than 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns.

"You can't beat numbers like that," said Mitchell of his senior quarterback. "His judgment has been very good, and he's certainly a candidate for all-state quarterback. Moving the ball and scoring have not been a problem for us."

With inclement weather expected, and why wouldn't it be in early-November Sandpoint, running backs Ben Fisher, Ricky Lang and Cody Hecker are more than capable of moving the ball on the ground. Hecker is healthier than he's been in weeks, and receiver Brandon Lawrence also returns after missing time with a foot injury.

Offensively, the Bulldogs are averaging 26 points per game and 358 yards per game. It's the defense that will be crucial, especially limiting the big plays that cost them dearly in the final game against Lakeland. Discipline and assignment football will be critical, as Kerfoot, whom Mitchell calls the best quarterback they've faced all year, is especially dangerous running the option.

"Coach Semones is always preaching 'do your job,'" said Mitchell of his defensive coordinator. "It's essential to stop the option."

The only common opponent each team faced this year was Middleton, with the Tigers beating them 21-6, and Sandpoint beating them 22-6. Mitchell is hoping a boisterous home crowd will give the Bulldogs a discernible home field advantage.

"Somebody asked is that (home field) worth 14 points?" said Mitchell. "I said I hope so. It's worth something."

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Barlow Stadium.