Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Timberlake
2. Bonners Ferry
3. Kellogg
4. Priest River
Written by: Brandon Baney
The Kellogg Wildcats have qualified for the Class 3A postseason each of the past four seasons. Every journey into the playoffs has been short lived, as the Wildcats have gone 0-4 in those postseason openers. A veteran team flush with talent at the skill positions will attempt to end the drought in 2021.
Kellogg’s fortunes on offense are good, as junior Riply Luna returns at quarterback after winning the Intermountain League’s Offensive MVP award last year as a sophomore. He will have two talented wide receivers to throw to in senior KJ Walker and junior Kolby Luna. Junior Jayce Garcia will lead the running back group, and freshman Tom O’Neill is expected to slide in at tight end.
The one question for Kellogg offensively is up front. “We have speed and athleticism at the skill positions,” head coach Dan Davidian said. “We need improvement from our offensive line. If we can block up front we will be tough to stop offensively.”
Kellogg’s 3-4 defense mirrors their spread offense. A lot of those skill position players will also play defense, which gives the Wildcats’ back seven a lot of solid options. “We have great athleticism in the secondary coupled with solid linebacker play,” Davidian said. “We have to improve the pass rush from our defensive line.”
Kellogg kicks off its season with a home game against Class 2A St. Maries on August 27th. In fact, four of Kellogg’s five non-conference games are at home. The Wildcats welcome in Corvallis, Montana, Orofino and the Sandpoint JV in consecutive weeks, before finally hitting the road for the first time on September 24th. They will travel to Grangeville, a Class 2A state title favorite.
Kellogg will dive into Intermountain League play on October 8th at Bonners Ferry. That’s followed by a trip to Timberlake, and the regular season finale at home against Priest River. In what appears to be a wide-open IML this year, whichever team is playing its best in October could come away with the crown.
“We have more depth this year and strong leadership,” Davidian said. “This is an overall great group that is fun to be around.”