Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Prairie
2. Clearwater Valley
3. Lapwai
4. Kamiah
5. Genesee
6. Potlatch
7. Troy
8. Logos
Written by: Brandon Baney
The Lapwai Wildcats stopped and started, and re-stopped and re-started their way through a COVID-impacted, 2-4 campaign in 2020.
Despite a 2-3 record following regular season play, the Wildcats received an at-large bid into the Class 1A D1 postseason. Unfortunately, Lapwai had to face White Pine League rival Kamiah in the opening round of the playoffs.
Kamiah won the regular season matchup in September by a narrow margin of 26-22. But in the playoffs, the Kubs flexed their muscles in a 36-14 triumph.
Despite the sub-.500 record and first round playoff exit, opposing coaches in the White Pine League are high on Lapwai in 2021, picking the Wildcats to finish 3rd in the preseason coaches' poll.
A big reason why? The potential return of senior quarterback and linebacker Titus Yearout, who might be one of the best pure athletes in the entire state, regardless of classification. He picked up a D1 basketball offer from the Idaho Vandals over the summer, and his return would certainly be a boost to a Lapwai team that hasn't won a state title since 1979.
The Wildcats will be tested right away at the Idaho 8-Man Classic in Middleton. Lapwai will take on defending 1A D1 state champ Oakley. That is Lapwai's lone non-conference game, as seven White Pine contests will follow.
The Wildcats will get their rematch with Kamiah on September 17th in Lapwai. That's followed by a three-game stretch against conference contenders Genesee, Clearwater Valley and Prairie. The Prairie contest is the only road game in that stretch for Lapwai, so if the Wildcats can defend their home field, they could be set up nicely for a postseason run.