COEUR D' ALENE- Finding differences between Lake City High School quarterbacks Zach Clanton and Tommy Anderson is far from a difficult task when the incoming senior duo are within a five-foot radius of one another. Clanton stands at about 5-feet-11; Anderson is 4 inches taller; Clanton is pushing 180 pounds; Anderson tips the scale at 230. But when the two signal callers strap on the chin straps, similarities come abound--both can throw, both can run, both can manage a multi-dimensional attack.

Ryan Collingwood, IdahoSports.com North

Lake City, the defending 5A state football champions, has been a program that has produced an all-IEL quarterback each of the past 10 gridiron seasons. Needless to say, the coveted T-Wolve position has been the cornerstone of their success.

With the loss of dual threat Garren Hammons who has taken his 21-2 record under center to NAIA Montana State-Northern, Clanton and Anderson look to keep the position tradition alive and well.

" We definitely have big shoes to fill," notes Clanton, fresh off a 5A state baseball title in spring." As a freshman I remember watching Ben(Widmyer) and the things he would do. When he graduated, people were saying he could of been the best to come out of Lake City. When Garren (Hammons) took over people were saying he could of been the best. It just shows the kind of talent that has been at our position and we're hoping we can do for our team, what they did for theirs, in years past."

Anderson, who is also getting reps at tight end, is quick to mention a talented supporting cast that he feels will make his and Clanton's job significantly less daunting during their varsity debut.

" We return the right weapons, " says Anderson. " With guys like BJ Palmer (2006 IEL leading rusher) and Kyle Johnson returning(2006 All-IEL reciever), it makes things a lot easier for us having not started a varsity game before."

While inexperience seems to be the underlying factor for the returning letterman, one statistic stands out more than a Lake City vs. Coeur d' Alene box score -- a combined 36-2 record in the LC freshman and JV systems.

" They are both good Quarterbacks" says head coach Van Troxel, who also played quarterback at the University of Montana in the early 70s. " They have both put in their time and have proven they're winners. "

With names such as Chad Troxel, Jake Freeman, Matt Stern, Dustin Sedgewick, Widmyer, and Hammons who have guided past navy and teal arsenals to IEL titles and state title runs, never has their been a dual QB system at the young football rich school -- an isolated situation Troxel relishes.

" We're pretty lucky," Troxel exclaims. " Either one can play at any time, but if one is having an off game, the other is going to be in. The beauty of having these two is that our offense fits who's in the game and is molded to what our quarterback can do."

In 2006, both Clanton and Anderson saw limited playing time, with the most action going to Clanton in a non-league performance against GSL foe Central Valley. His efforts included 130 yards passing and two touchdowns in a half of work.

As the Lake City football program looks to make another magical run at 5A stardom in 2007, the senior duo have been pushing each other at their respective position with a more fun and positive approach to their daily regimen.

" Us being good friends has helped quite a bit because we also pushing each other to do well." Anderson said. " Its nice being pushed for a position because it makes you want to get better."

Clanton Agreed.

" We push each other and we are competing at the same position as well, but we make it fun." Notes a grinning Clanton. " Sometimes we even do rock,paper, scissors to decide who takes the first reps with the first team offense."

Timberline of Boise visits Lake City in the T-Wolves home opener, Friday, August 24th. The contest will be aired live via the web on IdahoSports.com.

PAST LC QUARTERBACKS AT A GLANCE:

Chad Troxel- (1996-1998) Troxel, son of Lake City Head Coach Van Troxel, led Lake City to it's first ever playoff berth. A first team all border league selection, he would later go on to play defensive back at the University of Idaho.

Jake Freeman- (1999) Freeman, who garnished all IEL Honors, led LC to an un-defeated regular season and an an appearance in the 1999 A-1 Division II (Now 4A) title game.

Matt Stern- (2000-2001) Stern was a two time IEL first team selection, leading LC to an un-defeated season and an appearance in the 2001 4A state title game. Stern signed with 1-AA power University of Montana.

Dustin Sedgewick- (2002) Sedgewick, in his lone year as a starter at LC helped LC bring home its first state championship. An IEL first team selection, Sedgewick opted to take an academic scholarship to Princeton.

Ben Widmyer- (2003-2004) Widmyer led LC to the state 5A semi-finals and most notably, a victory over Washington power Kamiakin, who at the time, was ranked 4th in west coast. Widmyer was a two-time all-IEL selection and is currently a junior quarterback at I-AA Wofford University.

Garren Hammons- (2005-2006) During his two year stint as an LC signal caller, Hammons led LC to the 5A state finals as a junior before leading the T-Wolves to their first ever unblemished record and 5A state title in 2006. He is currently vying for a starting job as a true freshman at NAIA power Montana State University-Northern.