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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Happy Birthday, Coach Inspired Mullan Rips Lakeside In Battle Of North Star Favorites

Jonathan Hay Correspondent

If one were to make a short list of things that won’t be seen in the world of sports this year, a few might include the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, Jimmy Johnson having a bad-hair day or the Mullan Tigers losing a football game at home on coach John Drager’s birthday.

Mullan quarterback Dan Fritz put to rest any doubts that the Tigers couldn’t defend their North Star League title by leading his team to a 40-20 victory over the Lakeside Knights on Friday.

Fritz passed for three touchdowns and led Mullan in rushing, despite twisting his ankle, in what Drager declared the finest game the senior had played in his four years at starting quarterback.

“This is the best pain I’ve felt in my life,” Fritz said. “We had a great team effort and this win meant everything to us.”

The Tigers physically dominated the smaller Knights on the line, putting constant pressure on the quarterback that took away Lakeside’s passing game.

“When our pass protection broke down, we became a one-dimensional team and they began to key on our running game,” Lakeside coach Ron Miller said.

The Tigers’ Brad Ban took the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and preseason league favorite Lakeside found itself down 8-0 immediately. That’s when the Tigers’ underrated defense showed how tough it is by not allowing the renowned Knights’ offense to score in the first half.

“The key to our victory tonight was defense,” Drager said. “We dominated the line and shut down their running game.”

Mullan (2-0) was up only 14-6 at halftime - Lakeside scored on Arnold Daniels’ 75-yard kickoff return - but on the Knights’ first possession of the second half, Buck Allen fumbled and Fritz recovered the ball on his own 30-yard line.

After a 10-yard keeper by Fritz for a touchdown, the Tigers started to pull away behind touchdown catches by Chris Angle on Mullan’s next two possessions.

Lakeside (1-1) would get a pair of touchdowns from Sam Lozeau in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t quite close the gap before Ban scored for the second time late in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

The Tigers were fired up by the unusual role of being the underdog and playing on the birthday of Drager, who has been the head coach at Mullan for 31 years.

“I’m a happy camper because the kids really played hard on my birthday,” Drager said.

Miller is looking forward to meeting the Tigers in Plummer on Oct. 11 in a game that should decide whether Mullan is the outright champion or if for the second year in a row these two will meet in a Kansas tiebreaker for a berth at state.

“I don’t think they’re 20 points better than we are and I can’t wait to see them at home,” Miller said.

Luckily for Miller, birthdays only come once a year.

Mullan 40, Lakeside 20

Lakeside 0 6 0 14 - 20

Mullan 8 6 18 8 - 40

M-Ban 80 kickoff return (Fritz run) M-Angle 6 pass from Fritz (pass fail) L-Daniels 75 kickoff return (run fail) M-Fritz 10 run (pass fail) M-Angle 24 pass from Fritz (pass fail) M-Angle 2 pass from Fritz (run fail) L-Lozeau 30 run (Allen run) L-Lozeau 10 run (run fail) M-Ban 15 run (Angle pass)