Bulldog boys open state with 'fire in eyes'

SANDPOINT — The Bulldog boys made winning state titles look easy from 2000-2012, winning eight banners and establishing a reputation as one of the best programs in the state.

But winning state titles isn’t easy, which explains why neither the Bulldog boys or girls basketball programs have ever won one, and sports like football, baseball and track own just one.

The Bulldogs (12-1-2) open state today against Burley (11-7-1) with a team hungry to add another chapter to the book of a program with a rich history.

The senior-heavy, athletic and deep Bulldogs are in the midst of another great season, as first year coach Evan McNeley has pushed all of the right buttons to this point, bringing a team full of players who went two-and-out last year at state and didn’t like it one bit.

“Last year we had high hopes, but didn’t show too well,” said senior forward Noah Hastings. “This year we have that fire in our eyes, like a revenge trip to really prove ourselves.”

Leading the charge will be senior target forward Mac Stultz, who leads the team in both goals (10) and assists (7), and plays with a high motor in the attack.

Hastings has five goals and six assists on the season, and senior Christian Dressel and junior Dylan Baillie four goals each, and along with Stultz provide a diverse attack that is tough to defend. When things are clicking, the team moves the ball east and west with pace and precision, making defenses work for 80 minutes, and have a wealth of players dangerous off the dribble.

The midfield is led by senior Luke Koch, a big and physical player who wins balls out of the air, Cole Baillie, also a tall and lengthy player who is strong on the ball, and Gage Sigman, who brings plus energy and toughness to the pitch.

You can’t win if you don’t score, and McNeley believes his team is strong enough defensively that finishing a few key chances will be the key to making a run at the title.

“If we can score goals at state, we’re going to win,” predicted McNeley. “Even with our backs against the wall, defensively we can stand up against anybody.”

The confidence stems from a stingy back three and goalie who combined for nine shutouts, and helped the Bulldogs post seven wins against 5A opponents. A quick look at the schedules from the other 4A teams shows they rarely play up in class, which could bode well for the more battle-tested Bulldogs.

The senior trio of Tanner Kohal, Max Edmundson and Terron Tvrdy has excelled at shutting down some pretty good offenses, and when a team did generate a good look at goal, junior Julian Barajas was there to make the big save in goal.

Kohal has five assists, and Tvrdy three goals, and both could factor into the box score on set pieces.

Kickoff for the game is 10 a.m. at Brothers Park in Caldwell.