JOHN DRAGER FIELD — The Mullan Tigers first game back into the 8-man realm of football didn’t go quite according to plan as they fell to the Deary High School Mustangs.

Despite the score, coach Stetson Spooner was pretty pleased with the outcome.

“It was a very good game for us,” Spooner said. “Deary is a juggernaut. That team and coaching staff is one class act for sure. We got down to six players due to cramps at one point and coach Eggers played accordingly.”

The Mustangs jumped out to a 22-point lead, but Mullan finally got on the board after Riley Trogden found the endzone on a 50-yard screen pass from Gryphon Todd.

Spooner liked the effort he saw from his team and believes that it will be a stepping stone for the rest of the season.

“My boys shattered the expectations of effort and heart and pride and finished the game with their heads held high after making a state title caliber defense that is Deary really have to work,” Spooner said. “As a head coach I am very proud of the effort from our young men and extremely excited for the rest of our season to see what success it may bring for our guys.”

For Mullan, Sheldon Trogden had a game high 161 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Todd finished with 145 passing yards and one passing touchdown.

Mullan (0-1) will have a week off before traveling to Kootenai for a showdown with the Warriors on September 15.