When can a loss in a football game make one happy?

For the Wahkiakum Mules, it was their performance in a 32-27 loss to the visiting Onalaska Loggers last Friday.

The Mules had suffered a 34-0 loss the previous week to Adna, a loss made worse by the severe head injury to sophomore Beau Carlson, who is making a slow recovery.

And the 3-0 Loggers had outscored their first two opponents of the season 130-0.

So, to lose by only five points and have a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter isn't all bad.

"I was never more proud of a team," commented Mule Coach Eric Hansen.

Onalaska's running game scored three times in the first quarter. The Mules took to the air with a 16-yard touchdown on a pass from Lucas Brown to Chance Cothren, and with Brown's conversion kick, the Loggers led 18-7 at the end of the quarter.

Brown connected with KC Berry for an 18-yard touchdown pass at 8:48 of the second quarter, and the Mules trailed 18-14 at halftime.

James Anderson scored on a six-yard run at 10:45 of the third quarter to give the Mules a 20-18 lead.

The Loggers took a 24-20 lead with a touchdown run at 5:20 of the third quarter and boosted it to 32-20 with anther score at 7:10 of fourth quarter.

Brown connected with Anderson on a 29-yard touchdown pass play at 5:41 of the fourth quarter, and the conversion kick--Brown made three of four attempts--cut the Logger lead to 32-27.

The Mules recovered an onside kick and had their chance to score again. However, Brown's pass to Anderson with two minutes left in the game was intercepted near the goal line, and the Loggers were able to run out the clock and preserve the win.

The Mules gained 77 yards rushing and 275 yards passing for 357 yards of offense. Onalaska gained 411 yards rushing and none on one pass attempt.

Brown connected on 17 of 29 passes for 275 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Cothren had five catches for 125 yards and one touchdown; Berry had five catches for 66 yards and a touchdown; Anderson had four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, and Quenton Nelson caught three passes for 21 yards.

Nelson led the Mule running attack with 42 yards on nine runs; Anderson had 21 yards on five carries.

Diana Zimmerman

Luke Brown and Evan Quigley (52) with the tackle.

On defense, leading tacklers were Brown with 13; Tristan Collupy had 12, Ashden Niemeyer 10, Evan Quigley eight, Nelson seven, and Anderson and Isaac Moon five each. Collupy recovered a Logger fumble.

The Mules, now 1-2 for the season, head to Napavine this Friday for their last non-league. The 2-1 Tigers squeaked by Toledo last week 20-17.