Nothing sinister about Vikings' step out of line

It's time to get to the bottom of "Cleatgate."

You'll recall that the Coeur d'Alene High football players were ruled to be wearing illegal cleats just prior to their key showdown with Sandpoint two weeks ago.

Officials ruled that CdA had to remove the three-quarter inch cleats because they were a quarter inch too long. Vikings coach Shawn Amos said he had bought his players new cleats earlier in the day because he wanted his team to have the best traction possible under wet conditions.

When asked by a sales clerk whether he wanted long or short cleats, Amos requested long.

Fortunately for the Vikings, Sandpoint had purchased new cleats the day before and had a pile of old cleats that the Bulldogs were able to loan their visitors.

Sandpoint bystanders, through conversations with Vikings assistant coaches and players before the game, suspected that the Viks had used illegal cleats during other games.

That information was forwarded to CdA Principal Steve Casey, who in turn met with Amos to get to the bottom of the situation.

Amos said that his players weren't knowingly violating the rule.

That should have settled the issue. But dozens of parents of Sandpoint players believe there's been a cover-up and wanted the District I Board of Control to investigate.

Here's the problem: There have been no violations - at least no violations that have been admitted to.

And even if CdA had used illegal cleats at other games, it's not an issue that would require - as Sandpoint folks hoped for - forfeiture of games.

Lest we forget CdA defeated Sandpoint fairly and soundly 35-14. The better team is in the playoffs. There's no disputing that.

Amos says he didn't know the cleats were illegal. He admitted, in fact, that he wore three-quarter inch cleats when he played ball at Moscow High. "I never knew they were illegal," Amos said. "I take full responsibility for having the wrong cleats. It was my error.

"I just wish the issue would fade away and die. If I was trying to cheat, don't you think I would have just given the cleats to my good guys. I wouldn't have had all my players using them. All of my players had them including my junior varsity offensive linemen."

Point well made. For Amos it was a matter of being "ignorAmos."

Something tells me this issue wouldn't have garnered as much attention had Sandpoint won.

Farewell Mitch

It was a poignant moment Saturday at the State A-2 volleyball tournament. Moments after St. Maries' season ended - and Lumberjacks coach Mitch Santos' coaching career concluded - there was Santos hugging Preston coach Launa Moser. The longtime coaches of rival programs were saying goodbye.

There was a time when they could barely tolerate each other.

There was a time they'd bring their teams to state and greet each other with forced smiles while muttering under their breath. For more than 12 years, their programs dominated the A-2 ranks. St. Maries won 11 titles during that stretch, including 10 straight, and Preston won the other championship.

The teams squared off in the state final 11 times - the final showdown occurring in 1995.

"It's kind of been a love-hate relationship," said Moser, smiling.

But a mutual respect developed over time.

"I expected to meet his team at state every year," Moser said. "The road through state has been through him and me.

"Because I knew his team would be here (every year), it's made me work harder and made him work harder because we knew we were going to meet each other."

Sandpoint coach Jeff Hurst's A-1 teams have gotten the best of Santos' teams the past eight years. Hurst will miss seeing Santos on the bench.

"I have a ton of respect for Mitch Santos and the St. Maries program," Hurst said. "I remember going all the way back when I was in high school and Mitch bringing his teams up to play against (Sandpoint coach) Irene Matlock's teams. Those were some great battles up at the (now middle school). They were responsible for creating a great tradition of volleyball in North Idaho.

"I've liked getting into the cat fights on the sidelines with him. He's a showman but he's a class guy. He's done great things for that community. He's a character. There won't be another coach like Mitch. That's for sure."

A personal aside here regarding Santos.

There was never a time Santos didn't telephone our office and report his results. You may say that's easy because his team's rarely lost (his teams were 527-62 in 22 years).

But he also took it upon himself to call on the road, when he knew the opposing coaches wouldn't call.

There's a reason Santos and I were friends. I couldn't figure out for the longest time why he and I seemed to be on the same wavelength.

Now it can be told. We share the same birthday.

Of course, I'm much younger (39, he's 48) and better looking!

Dynasty in the making?

What Santos established at St. Maries, Hurst is duplicating at Sandpoint.

The Bulldogs' state title last weekend was the fourth in eight years under Hurst. The repeat could turn into a string of four or more considering 12 of 15 players return next year.

"We're going to be as strong next year as we were this year," Hurst said. "We left some kids at home that can fill some shoes and keep on progressing."

Copyright 2000 Cowles Publishing Company
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