Bengals see reasons for optimism

The Lewiston High football team took its lumps last year, winning just a single game.

But the Bengals hope that those bruises turn into banners with the return of all but four starters - on both sides of the ball.

"It's probably the most excited I've been since back in the '90s," said Lewiston coach Shawn Nilsson, who enters his 28th year with the school, though only his fourth as the head coach.

"I really like our weapons."

Junior quarterback Colton Richardson headlines Nilsson's arsenal, sporting a year of experience under his belt and one of the best arms Nilsson remembers coaching.

"He's definitely a key to our success," Nilsson said of Richardson, who he believes learned throughout the course of last year to avoid the turnovers which often cost Lewiston during its 2014 campaign.

"He's one of the sharper quarterbacks I've been around," Nilsson said of Richardson, who he said deeply understands the Bengal offense.

"I definitely think he'll have a breakout season. He'll be somebody to watch this year."

Beginning their year with a nonleague tilt, the Bengals will open their season tonight at Rathdrum against Lakeland.

And while they'll hardly complain if they arrive at their 5A Inland Empire League opener on Oct. 9 against Coeur d'Alene unbeaten, avoiding key injuries likely represents an even greater goal for the Bengals if they hope to compete for their first state playoff bid since 2008.

"The past few years, health has been a huge thing for us," said Nilsson, who watched as last season's main offensive weapon, departed senior Tyler Eberhardt, spent much of the year hampered by injuries.

"Even with depth," Nilsson added, "we still need to stay healthy."

Depth: The word likely rings like music to the ears of Lewiston's coaches who will savor listing as many as nine wideouts and running backs who can play at the varsity level.

Stretching the field with his speed, Kempton Sharp keeps safeties honest while providing a constant home run threat for the Bengals. And using his smarts as a safety to find holes in the defense, fellow wideout Troy Ahlers catches every ball thrown within his vicinity as the Bengals' possession receiver.

Other weapons to watch for include wideout Riley Way and running backs Levi Speer, Beau Melton and Mason Ulrich.

Ulrich, a senior, added 25 pounds to his frame to help absorb the additional contact he'll take as a fullback this year, in addition to his defensive duties at linebacker.

"He's definitely the leader on the football team," Nilsson said of Ulrich, who he said "makes things go for us."

"Last year was pretty tough," Ulrich admitted, noting that it felt like the team played in a lot of close games, even though only two of Lewiston's losses were by less than a touchdown.

"But we hung in there and fought and worked, and ... we're all here trying to do better than last year."

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Edelman may be contacted at bedelman@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2277.