THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: Coeur d’Alene’s Kizziar puts team above himself

Jamison Kizziar started at quarterback for the Coeur d’Alene Vikings last year as a junior.

He started the first two games at QB this year for the Vikings, until …

“We changed his position,” longtime Coeur d’Alene football coach Shawn Amos said.

Kizziar became a wide receiver on offense, an outside linebacker on defense, and a gunner on special teams.

Kizziar’s initial reaction to no longer being the starting quarterback was, well, as you might expect.

However …

“But after having some time to process it, and grow into those new positions, I’ve kind of flourished,” he said. “It’s obviously tough, but we are where we are now, going into the playoffs, and I can’t be more grateful for my coaches.”

After missing the playoffs last year for the first time since 2008, and starting off 1-1 this season, Coeur d’Alene (7-2) is back in the postseason, and plays host to Rocky Mountain (7-3) of Meridian in the first round of the state 5A playoffs Friday at 7 p.m. at Viking Field.

“God bless him, he responded like one of the best teammates you could have,” Amos said of the position switch. “Now he helps us everywhere — offense, defense, special teams. He’s a super valuable part of our team, not only how he handled it … it could have gone one of two ways and he said ‘I just want to play football,’ and he’s playing really good football.

“It’s impressive; super impressive.”

KIZZIAR PLAYED running back in middle school, then shifted to quarterback in high school. He had never played wide receiver before.

Even when he was still the quarterback earlier this season, Kizziar practiced at outside linebacker as well, to give the team more depth there.

At receiver, he has 16 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns. And he’s also earned praise for his play on defense and special teams.

“We’re winning, I’m having fun, and that’s the two most important things to me right now,” he said. “When it first happened I contemplated quitting, absolutely. I’m human; I can’t fix that. But my family was super supportive, and I had a heart-to-heart with God, and I knew that I loved football more than I loved that singular position. And I love these guys so much; that’s why I stuck it through, and by the grace of God, it’s working out.”

CAMDEN DeGRAW might have taken last year’s loss to Post Falls a little bit harder than the rest of his Viking teammates.

DeGraw played at Post Falls High through his freshman season, then transferred to Coeur d’Alene.

This year and last, DeGraw, a defensive lineman, has been one of the reasons the Vikings have been one of the top defenses in the state.

Colleges noticed, too.

This summer, DeGraw verbally committed to Washington State.

“The coaching staff was exactly the kind of people I wanted to surround myself with the next couple of years,” DeGraw said. “The people there … it was something else. It just felt like home. I know that’s the typical thing to say, but I know what they mean when they say that.”

What does “felt like home” mean, exactly?

“The coaches always checking in with me, and seeing how I’m doing,” DeGraw said. “They weren't super quick to offer me, they took the time to get to know me. I probably talked to them longer than any other school. I could just tell they wanted me for me — plus my athletic ability.”

DeGraw said he also had offers from Boise State, Eastern Washington, Weber State, Portland State and Oklahoma State. But WSU was always his No. 1 choice, and he said there was really no No. 2.

DeGraw, brother of former Post Falls High and University of Idaho standout Nate DeGraw, was slowed by a shoulder injury earlier this year, but is feeling better these days, and looking to help the Vikings make a deep run in the playoffs.

“I think we’re good enough to do whatever we want to do, really,” DeGraw said. “The sky’s the limit.”

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @CdAPressSports.