Sandpoint Football - Week 1 Overview

Bulldog Football: Game 1 Overview

Sandpoint Bulldogs (#5) at Twin Falls Bruins (#4)

📅 Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 Twin Falls High School

The Stage

Bulldog Nation, it’s here. The 106th season of Sandpoint Football kicks off under the bright lights in Magic Valley. And it’s no small task — our #5-ranked Bulldogs head south to face the #4-ranked Twin Falls Bruins in a Top-5 showdown.

This isn’t a divisional matchup, but it feels like playoff football in August. Both programs are expected to be in the mix come November, and this one will be a tone-setter for the entire season.

The Bulldogs

Sandpoint isn’t coming in young or untested — this is a battle-tested senior group ready to make its mark.

• Lucas Garrison (Safety / WR) – Our two-way leader. Lucas brings stability in the secondary and playmaking ability on offense. If the Bruins leave him room, he’ll make them pay.

• Jeremiah Palmer (RB/LB) – The engine. Jeremiah runs with power, hits with authority, and brings relentless effort on both sides of the ball.

• Maverick Gomez (WR / State Champion Sprinter) – The spark. Maverick has game-breaking speed that stretches defenses and ignites momentum.

• Braden Buckhout (QB) – The commander. Braden’s poise and timing with his senior receivers will be critical in moving the chains and hitting big shots downfield.

This core has been through battles together, and now they step into their senior year with one goal — Raise the Bar.

The Bruins

Twin Falls enters at #4 after a 9–2 conference title season. They lost their star quarterback and running back, but don’t be fooled — this program is deep, physical, and prides itself on grinding opponents down with a tough run game and an aggressive defense.

Returning all-conference talent like Amos Kun, Sam Martin, Dalton Carter, Vince Gonzalez, Easton Irwin, and Jackson Martin gives the Bruins experience at key spots. They’ll lean on their physicality up front to protect home field.

What to Watch

• Explosive Plays: Can Buckhout connect with Gomez or Garrison to stretch the field?

• Physicality: Palmer and the O-line must match Twin Falls’ toughness in the trenches.

• Turnovers: Big defensive plays from Garrison or the front seven could flip momentum fast.

• Momentum Swings: On the road in a Top-5 battle, seizing momentum early will be critical.

Bulldog Outlook

Sandpoint fans, this is what we’ve been waiting for — a senior-led team, ranked in the Top 5, opening on the road in a heavyweight fight. The Bulldogs know what’s at stake: prove they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the state.

It won’t be easy in Twin Falls, but with this senior core, the Dogs have the talent, experience, and firepower to make a statement right out of the gate.

106 seasons. A tradition of toughness. A chance to Raise the Bar.