Vikings begin season at Troy

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Aug 31, 20160

It starts in earnest Friday for Garfield/Palouse's 2016 football season. Opening at Troy, an Idaho eight-man powerhouse in recent years, the Vikings will take the field without senior running back Cameron Springstead, a key part of last year's team which finished in the playoffs at 6-5.

Springstead dislocated his elbow last week in practice.

Overall, the team loses just two starters from last year, Ian Neibergs and Wyatt Griner, who both played tight end on offense.

Returning starters, aside from Springstead, include junior Evan Weaggraff at quarterback, senior lineman Mason Bates, junior fullback/guard Travis Knauff, sophomore guard/defensive end Tanner Anderson and sophomore linebacker/fullback Eli Hawkins.

New starters include junior Nathan Aston at linebacker, sophomore guard Tyson White and sophomore center Riley Pederson.

Filling in for Springstead at running back will be Hawkins, Knauff and junior Chad Hanson.

Replacing Neibergs and Griner at tight end will be Bates and sophomore Caden Sanderson.

“Our running game looks real solid,” said third-year coach Will Woltering.

On defense, the main task is to replace Neibergs, who played linebacker, the team's leading tackler.

“That'll be a tough one,” said Woltering. “That'll be a tough one.”

On offense, backing up Weaggraff at quarterback is sophomore Jacob Reed.

Returning as assistants to Woltering are Dan Parrish and Garrett Parrish. Joining the staff this year is volunteer Justin Berarducci, a former Colfax High School quarterback.

The Vikings' first league game will be at home Sept. 30 against Pomeroy. Liberty Christian will not be a Southeast 1B foe this year as they have moved up to 2B.

“Touchet will be the team to beat and then it'll be a dogfight for second place,” said Woltering.

Gar/Pal at Troy starts at 7 p.m. Friday.

COLTON WILDCATS HOME OPENER:

Coach Clark Vining’s team will open the 2016 season at home Friday against Salmon River. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.