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

Sam Lozeau Lakeside Year: Senior Sport: Football Positions: Fullback/Linebacker

Sam Lozeau is experiencing deja vu as he and his Lakeside teammates prepare for a showdown with Deary for a third straight year in the State A-4 8-man playoffs.

Deary has dominated the Knights the past two years, and the teams reunite Friday in the semifinals at the University of Idaho’s Kibbie Dome.

“Last year, we went into the game pumped up and they just tore us a part,” the 6-foot, 200-pound Lozeau said.

“Everything we did just went wrong for us and they were up 42-0 at halftime.”

But Lozeau hopes the Knights (9-1) are ready to reverse the outcome against Deary.

Lozeau was one of several standouts in Lakeside’s 64-22 victory over Notus last week. He had 148 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns and added six tackles, four assists and one sack.

“(He) played a whale of a ballgame,” Lakeside coach Ron Miller said. “He basically disrupted (Notus’) offensive flow. We take advantage of Sam’s versatility, doing anything with him that we think is going to help us play better or be effective. We’ll put him inside, outside, have him cover passes. And he’s a ferocious lead blocker.”

Lozeau has played varsity since his freshman year and hopes to continue playing in college.

“Football’s great,” Lozeau said. “I come from a big family and on any occasion, we’d get together and play football. In elementary school, we’d get a bunch of guys together on Sunday and go over to the football field.”

But for now, all of Lozeau’s talent and lifetime experience will be put to the test on Friday.

Said Lozeau: “We’re seniors this year and we’re going to play with heart. We’re not as physical as them and we’re not as big as them, but as I see it, it’s all in your mind. You don’t have to be as big or as fast. If you work as a team, you can beat anybody. And with our team, I think we can beat anyone in the state.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo