No Thought Of Quitting Game -- Wahkiakum's 2-Way Starter Ignores Pain, Inspires Team

Sam Longtain couldn't stand the pain. The thought of not playing football hurt too much - far more than his bloody left foot.

So, Longtain ignored the pain and played football last season for Wahkiakum High School. Only a few weeks before turnouts, he had cut off his big toe in a lawnmower accident. His doctor had told him he probably never would play football again.

The middle linebacker led the Mules in tackles, as they reached the 1991 semifinals.

The pain has all but stopped, but Longtain's drive hasn't. As a starter at center and linebacker, he leads Wahkiakum of Cathlamet (10-2) into Kingbowl XVI Saturday in the Class B-11 championship game against Liberty of Spangle (11-0) at noon in the Kingdome.

"I'm doing it for my teammates," Longtain said. "I feel real good about being here, but I'll feel even better if we win it."

Longtain redefined the phrase "playing hurt," according to Coach Andy Wolf.

"It was hell for Sam," Wolf said, "but he came out to practice every day. He had to wear a shoe two sizes too big because his foot was so swollen.

"It was incredible. It was painful just to watch him.

"Finally, we as coaches brought him into the office and said, `Hey, Sam, this might not work. Maybe you ought to give it up,' " Wolf said. "He just looked us in the eyes and said, `I'm going to play.' "

For Longtain, there was no other logical choice.

"I've always wanted to play football," he said. "When I thought of not playing, I just couldn't handle it, so I stuck with it."

And inspired others to play through their pain. Running back Paul Kuljis, for instance, is determined to be on the field Saturday despite a very tender knee.

"I'd play even if it was just a regular game," he said. "Every game is important to me."

Longtain epitomizes the team's "Mule ethic," according to Wolf.

"The other kids watched what Sam went through and it kind of brought us up to another level just by his example," Wolf said. "That's the kind of kids we have. You could rip an arm off and hit them over the head, but they'd still play. We might not be graceful. We might not be very good in a ballet, but if you want to play football we're going to show up."

Wahkiakum is a heavy underdog against the top-ranked Lancers, who beat defending-champion DeSales in the semifinals. But that doesn't bother the Mules.

"We're going to be there, ready to play," Wolf said. "We're not conceding anything. This group of kids compares itself to an old pickup truck. It's got a lot of dents in the door and it doesn't look pretty, but when you turn the engine on, it still runs smooth."

-------------------------------------------------------------. KINGBOWL XVI / Class B-11. . Liberty vs. Wahkiakum . . -- WHAT - Class B-11 state football championship game. . -- WHERE/WHEN - Kingdome, Saturday, Dec. 5, noon. . -- LOCATION/NICKNAMES - Liberty High Lancers from Spangle, located southeast of Spokane; Wahkiakum High Mules from Cathlamet, located west of Longview. . -- COACHES - Liberty, Rod Fletcher, 12th season (80-34 record); Wahkiakum, Andy Wolf, fifth season (32-20 record). . -- SEASONS:.

. Liberty (11-0) Wahkiakum (10-2). . . 55 St. Maries 16 14 Kalama 21. . 27 Newport 7 33 Naselle 0. . 43 Reardon 14 26 Morton 13. . 60 Selkirk 8 44 Winlock 19. . 48 Springdale 16 40 Rainier 14. . 56 Freeman 7 6 Mossyrock 0. . 39 Republic 0 18 Adna 24. . 62 Wilber/Creston 0 47 Toutle Lake 6. . 28 Ritzville 21 24 Napavine (2 OT) 18. . 33 Royal # 7 51 Tacoma Baptist # 0. . 46 DeSales # 14 25 Concrete # 12. .

8 Raymond # 7. .

# -playoff games. . -- KINGBOWL HISTORY - Liberty won the 1982 itle and was the runner-up in 1986, losing to Onalaska. Wahkiakum is making its first Kingbowl appearance after losing to Rainier in last year's semifinals. The Mules also reached the semifinals in 1976 and '79. . -- LIBERTY PLAYERS TO WATCH - Tailback Jerrad Jeske (6-foot-1, 195, sr.) finished the regular season as the state's top rusher and scorer among B-11 schools. He now has 1,705 yards on 198 carries (8.6 yards per carry) and 34 touchdowns (plus a pair of two-point conversions), including four TDs in the semfinal victory over defending-champion DeSales. Jeske is a three-year starter on offense and four-year starter at inside linebacker. But he is not the only threat out of the Lancers' wishbone offense. Jim Haas (6-0, 185, sr.), the other tailback, has accounted for 750 yards and quarterback Jeff Tee (6-0, 170, sr.) can throw the ball. He has completed 51 of 98 attempts for 1,173 yards with 18 touchdowns (two against DeSales) and just two interceptions. Rob Tee (6-1, 170, sr.), Jeff's cousin, is his favorite target with 33 catches for 780 yards and 13 TDs. Tight end/defensive lineman Kevin Cupp (6-5, 235, sr.) is considered a Division I prospect. The Lancers are big up front with three other linemen 200 pounds or better. Inside linebacker Gary Horlacher (6-0, 180, sr) is the team's leading tackler and also starts at center. . -- WAHKIAKUM PLAYERS TO WATCH - Injuries have caused the Mules to shuffle their lineups during the playoffs and a couple of key players are still questionable. Tailback Paul Kuljis (5-8, 164, sr) has a bad knee, but said he will play Saturday. He carried 19 times for 52 yards and the Mules' lone touchdown in the semifinals and has 1,594 yards and 25 TDs for the season. Fullback Joel Nelson (6-1, 172, sr.) likely will get the ball more if Kuljis can't carry the load. Nelson has more than 700 yards rushing this season, including 156 in one of the game's Kuljis missed. He also has averaged 22 yards a catch on 15 receptions with six TDs. Quarterback David Sparkman (5-9, 166, sr.) is a three-year starter and has passed for 800 yards and 11 TDs this season with five interceptions. His 55-yarder to Josh Draper (5-7, 150, soph.) set up the touchdown against Raymond. Draper has 15 receptions, averaging 15 yards apiece, with three TDs. Sparkman also averages better than 42 yards as a punter. Two-way tackle Steve Mahitka (6-2, 241, jr.) is a key figure on the line. Tackle Robb Kerstetter (6-2, 237, sr.) should be able to play after missing the semifinal game with an injury. Tight end Dan Cothren (6-2, 205, sr.) also should see some play despite another injury. . -- FAST FACTS - Before last year, Fletcher was co-head coach of the Lancers for 10 years with Dick Trudgeon . . . Liberty returned eight starters on each side from last year's team . . . Wahkiakum had lost 17 games in a row before Wolf took over as head coach in 1988. His first two teams both went 4-5.