Dunkel, Rust forming 7th grade football team

SANDPOINT — Citing cheaper fees and more home games, local prep football coaches Owen Rust and Mose Dunkel are forming a 7th grade tackle football team that will play this fall in the Coeur d’Alene Junior Tackle League.

All local 7th graders are welcome to sign up, with registrations accepted until Sept. 9. Practices will be held in Sandpoint starting Aug. 22, with the first game slated for Sept. 10. The registration fee is $125, which includes equipment and a jersey, with an eight game schedule of four home and four away games.

Dunkel and Rust have more than 20 years of coaching experience, and both have coached Sandpoint Junior Tackle teams for years, including the 8th grade team last season. Admitting there were some personal conflicts, Dunkel decided to explore other options to the existing Spokane-based leagues.

“It’s a good opportunity for people to look at, now they have a choice,” said Dunkel. “The fees are cheap, half the games are home games and the furthest drive is Post Falls.”

All of the coaches are “Heads Up” certified to teach tackling, and trained in the latest concussion awareness.

Dunkel isn’t looking to ruffle any feathers, but wants the opportunity to coach a team and after talking with the president of the Coeur d’Alene league, is hoping to field enough players.

“A lot of people are supportive,” said Dunkel of the idea, aware that he’ll be taking players away from the existing league. “There’s players and parents involved that I respect. I don’t want a battle, I want to remain on the positive side.”

Dunkel and Rust will host a meeting on Friday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. at Great Northern Field for anyone interested in meeting the coaches or learning more.

For more info on the league, visit “www.cdajrtackle.org.”

For other questions or for more information, call Dunkel at 290-1888, or email modunkel@hotmail.com.