The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT July 24, 2010

A not-so-funny thing happened on the way to the American Legion Class AA Area A (district) tournament for a former Lake City High standout.

While traveling from British Columbia, the Trail Jays' charter bus ended up in a field just outside of Colville after a deer ran out in front of it around 9 a.m. on Thursday.

On the bus was Lake City High alum Nick Combo, who is now an assistant at Trail after spending last summer as an assistant to the single-A Prairie Cardinals.

THE ACCIDENT happened just hours before their scheduled game with Cranbrook at Post Falls High.

"The driver jerked the bus out of the way to avoid hitting it and we ended up in a field," Combo said.

The bus hit the deer, then went off the road into the field.

Combo, along with a few of the players on the team, were sleeping, while others were listening to music when they felt the bus start to shake.

"It sort of woke me up," Combo said. "We started to dip and the kids started bouncing around. A couple of the kids hit their heads and some of the luggage bags and fungo bats came down and hit some of the players."

After surveying the damage, the driver attempted to continue the drive to Post Falls, but in trying to get back on the road, broke the drive train, forcing the team to find alternate transportation to Spokane.

"We couldn't leave," Combo said. "Finally, we got into Spokane about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Nobody got hurt real big, but the kids got thrown around. Some of the stuff started falling down off the racks inside the bus - but everyone seemed all right after we got to Spokane."

Combo said three players suffered minor injuries in the crash. He said his back was a little sore following the accident, but said he was feeling fine on Friday.

COMBO TOOK the job at Trail after playing with current coach Collin Gibbs at Whitworth University in Spokane, where he just finished his sophomore season.

"He took the job and offered me a job as an assistant," Combo said. "I saw it as a good opportunity so I took it. I've gotten great support from the parents up there. It's been a great summer up there."

Even with the Jays schedule, Combo still finds time to check in on the Coeur d'Alene Lumbermen, who he played for in 2007-08. His younger brother, Taylor, is currently a reserve on the Lums.

"If we've got a day off and they are playing, I'll try to get down here to watch them play," said Combo, whose twin brother Chris is the coach for Prairie's Class A squad. "It's a little different coaching against them, especially Taylor. I call him to give advice and keep him up to enjoy the summer."

HE WILL return to Whitworth this fall for his junior season, and doesn't rule out coaching once his playing days are done.

"It's been fun," Combo said. "I've always wanted to coach somewhere. It's been a blast at Trail. I've been getting to know everyone, but it's a different experience than being around here. I've enjoyed working at Trail."

As a sophomore, Combo played in 29 games for the Pirates, starting 20 games and hitting .222 in 78 at bats and scoring 11 runs. He also started two games on the mound, picking up a 1-0 record with a 1.12 ERA in five appearances.

"I did all right this season," Combo said. "It was a blast and I can't wait to get back to playing next year."

Until then, he'll join the rest of the Trail Jays in trying to stay on the road to the state tournament.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via e-mail at [email protected].