Lakeside Dreams Big Dreams Knights Favored In North Star, Then Look To Take Shot At State Title

Ron Miller catches himself when he starts thinking about playing football in November. But he can’t help looking ahead to the State A-4 eight-man football playoffs.

Miller’s Lakeside Knights would have to suffer several key injuries and a total collapse NOT to make the playoffs, let alone win the North Star League championship.

This year the NSL receives two state berths. Even if the league received one berth, most folks would consider Lakeside a sure thing to make the playoffs.

And Lakeside isn’t thinking about just making the playoffs. In recent years, Deary has owned the state playoffs.

“There’s no getting out of North Idaho unless you go through Deary,” Miller said.

Then Miller paused.

“But we have to win our league first - take care of that business,” Miller said, pausing for effect as if to make it sound like it’s a legitimate concern.

Miller isn’t being cocky nor the least overconfident. He’s the first to say his team should walk away with a second straight league title.

If he needs any reassurance, though, the four other league coaches were ready to hand the Knights the league trophy before the season began last Friday.

“Lakeside has to be favored; nobody’s going to touch them,” Falls Christian coach Rick Alexander said. “Anybody that would say differently would be fooling themselves.”

It appears to be a three-team race for second place. Mullan, which graduated practically its entire team, is expected to slip to unfamiliar territory: the league basement.

On paper, Clark Fork would appear to have an edge over Falls Christian and Kootenai. But to overlook the latter would be unfair.

Miller, though, expects Clark Fork to push his team most.

“They’ll be the team that challenges us,” Miller said.

Clark Fork coach Frank Hammersley agrees.

“We’re going to be in the thick of things,” Hammersley said.

Perhaps the two things that separate Lakeside from the rest of the league are speed and athleticism.

“This is as good a team as we’ve had, including our playoff teams in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s,” Miller said. “They’re very talented, very athletic; they just know what they’re doing.”

Leading the Knights is four-year starter Buck Allen, who led the league in rushing last year. He’ll be complemented by senior quarterback Ken Pluff and senior running back Sam Lozeau.

“Those three kids could play for anybody,” Miller said. “If they were to walk into an A-1 school around here no coach would turn them down.”

Miller’s most difficult task will be distributing the ball equally among the trio.

“They’re going to have big seasons,” Miller said. “Each could go for incredible yardage. They’re going to dominate every stat. They’re three darn good athletes and three darn good football players.”

The biggest change in the NSL landscape is at Mullan, where longtime coach John Drager, who roamed the sidelines for more than three decades, retired last year.

Brian Arthun, a Kellogg native and former eight-man standout in Montana, takes over the daunting task of replacing Drager.

“After I saw the turnout I decided to resign,” quipped Arthun, who at least has a sense of humor as he faces the challenge of coaching a very green team. “I realize I’ve got some big shoes to fill. But (Drager) has been very helpful. We’re not writing the kids off this year, but the league is going to be tough.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo