New head coach Hinthorn impressed with attitude of BFHS football players
Jake Jelinek practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photos by MANDI BATEMAN The team runs sprints during a recent practice.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANTully Reinhardt practicing for the 2019 football season.
Walker Henslee catches a pass during practice.
Conner Callahan runs during practice.
The team getting in shape for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANEvan Barajas practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANThe team practicing for the 2019 football season.
The Bonners Ferry quarterbacks, Eli Richards, Teigan Banning, and Blake Rice, practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANSeth Rice practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANWilson Newell practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANTeam practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANEvan Barajas practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANThe team getting in shape for the 2019 football season.
Photo by MANDI BATEMANTeam practicing for the 2019 football season.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS The 2019 Badger football team.
BONNERS FERRY — As the fall sports season begins, the Bonners Ferry High School football team has started practicing and gearing up for its first game on Aug. 30 at Lincoln County High School.
The team has a new coach this year, Travis Hinthorn, who has stepped in to fill Corey Kramer’s shoes.
“This is my first year as the head coach but it will be my 21st year of coaching football,” said Hinthorn. “I have been coaching eighth grade for the last seven years and really enjoyed this freshman class.”
There are 53 athletes on the entire team, 25 of which are freshmen. There are nine returning players, including seniors Ty Bateman, running back and linebacker; Mitch Falck, running back and linebacker; Carver Copley, receiver and cornerback; Nick Lederhos, multiple positions; Jake Jelinek, receiver and defensive back; and Matt Morgan, offensive line and linebacker.
The new players include Oliver Yao, senior; Evan Barajas, junior, receiver and defensive back; Jackson Rickter, sophomore, offensive and defensive line; Sky Reinhardt, sophomore, receiver, defensive back, and kicker; Wilson Newell, sophomore, running back and defensive back; Zack Miller, sophomore, offensive and defensive line; Conner Callahan, sophomore, receiver and defensive back; Bo Bateman, sophomore, offensive and defensive line; and Travis Petersen, freshman, offensive line and linebacker.
“Matt Morgan has been a great leader for our younger players, helping them with technique and making them feel welcome and part of the team,” said Hinthorn. “Ty Bateman and Isaih Shottanana set the pace in practice, but all the kids have had a fantastic attitude and work ethic so far. They have set the bar pretty high and the team seems to be self motivated, which makes coaching them fun. It has been a lot of fun so far.”
Timberlake continues to stand as the team to beat in the Intermountain League, especially with a strong senior group of athletes. Among the Badgers’ nonconference foes, both Newport (Wash.) and St. Maries are perennial playoff qualifiers.
“We are very young and our sophomores have had to step up to varsity roles,” said Hinthorn. “We will be young, but hopefully improve every game.”
The team’s motto this year is “Making a P.A.C.T. to build a culture. Pride, Attitude, Character, Thankful.”
“The athletes have bought in and we are headed in the right direction for the future,” said Hinthorn.
Hinthorn has a weight training class at the high school this fall, in which most of the freshmen and some other players have already enrolled.
“Hopefully I will get some more weight training classes in the future,” said Hinthorn. “I think weight training and getting our players out for track in the spring will help us greatly in the future.”
For upcoming events visit bfbadgers.com and keep an eye out for the Bonners Ferry Herald’s fall sports poster.