Fall sports practices returned to Bonner County high schools this week, with nearly all teams resuming workouts Monday under challenging atmospheric conditions that forced coaches to move activities indoors due to smoke and poor air quality.
Once air quality improved over the next few days, outdoor practices resumed for football programs. The Priest River High School football team returned to the field after the initial indoor sessions, as did Sandpoint’s squad, both teams now in full preparation mode ahead of their respective season openers.
Defending Champions Aim to Repeat
Priest River’s football program enters the season as the defending 3A Central Idaho champions, seeking to build on last year’s title run. The Vikings will open their season on the road August 28 in Bonners Ferry, with kickoff at 7 p.m.
Sandpoint High School football will host its home opener Friday, August 21 against Twin Falls, with the game set to begin at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will also face competition as the soccer seasons for both boys and girls teams are scheduled to begin before the football home opener.
Volleyball and Soccer in Action
Sandpoint’s volleyball team has its first match lined up for Monday, August 17 at 4 p.m. against Post Falls, marking an early test for the squad as the fall sports calendar accelerates across the region.
The convergence of multiple sports seasons beginning within the same week reflects the typical fall sports schedule in Bonner County, with soccer, volleyball, and football all competing for practice time and facilities. The initial indoor practice requirement Monday—driven by regional air quality concerns—added an unusual wrinkle to the traditional start of the high school athletics year.
What Comes Next
Bonner County high school athletes and coaches will be in full competition mode by late August, with Sandpoint’s volleyball team hosting its first match this coming Monday and soccer teams already underway. Sandpoint football’s home opener against Twin Falls on August 21 will mark a major milestone for the Bulldogs, while Priest River football will kick off its title defense a week later on August 28 in Bonners Ferry.