A stunning sunset passed bringing a downpour as I sat in my broken down Camry Friday night on a lonely gravel road off of highway 219 during the Lakers football game. I was 52 miles short of Roseau. Via the hot spot on my phone, a 3G signal and my laptop, I listened on a Wild 102 FM stream where the Laker fight song played in the background often, along with Laker cheers, as DL ran over the Rams. It rained far more at the game. My rescue, mechanic and great friend Dr. D started from Laker land around 6:30 p.m. Around 8:15 p.m., he sent a message. “Just saw the first three deer. Yeehaw!” The Camry has, or maybe had, 276,724 miles on it. For many small-town sports writers, driving a beater is standard operating procedure as road trips like this are common. Why burn up a new car? Perhaps this three-hour stay on gravel is the reason. Luckily, my car had power giving me full phone access and my laptop battery was charged with enough life for the game. Many people showed empathy and good-hearted chiding via email, text, and Twitter to keep me occupied. I had left some fresh strawberries and two bananas on my kitchen counter in a hurry to make it to Mahnomen to hit Shooting Star with plenty of time to get to the game. Wish I had those munchies. Funny thing, my luck was on a roll early in the trip. There’s this one particular dollar slot machine at the Star that I have enjoyed success at dating back to when I worked in Grand Forks in 2007 and routinely drove back to DL on weekends. Seems like every time I stop at this one-armed bandit, I win. I slid three $20 bills into the beast and proceeded to win $15 on the first spin. Could have grabbed a coffee and split, but that isn’t how gambling works, is it? Repeated depresses of the spin button brought me to my final spin. I dashed a cigarette into the ashtray, took a sip of my coffee with tiny hope disguised as a sigh. Triple blue bar. Triple blue bar….holy smokes...triple blue bar. $90. Plus thirty, I cashed out and hit the road. Upon reaching Goodridge, I was less than an hour from Roseau with plenty of time to check into my hotel and grab a bite at Earl’s Drive-In. Many drivers know the next feeling. The car lost some power, tachometer dipped, the normal purr of the engine traded for a sound no driver wants to hear. I punched it. She revved and got back up to cruising speed but the dread was palpable and seconds later the oil light and a number of other warning lights, the ones that usually aren’t on all the time, flashed and the Camry died. Luckily, I have a calm constitution. It takes a lot to get me worked up. I spotted the lonely gravel road and just sat there. Minutes later, the owner of a home that must reside at the end of the road pulled up, offered assistance. “Help is on the way,” I said. “I have my hot spot, phone and laptop; I’ll be fine and thanks!” She pulled off to attend a game in Goodridge and it was kickoff time in Roseau.
After a scoreless first quarter, Parker Jackson got DL on the board on a two-yard run; Sam Champa returned a fumble 30 yards and Christian Hedstrom hit Ryan Cihak from 20 yards out. By halftime, the Lakers had a 20-0 lead, while Roseau suffered at the hands of the Laker defense finally gaining their initial first down with seven minutes to play in the half. The third quarter began with a trio of turnovers after DL was stopped on their opening drive on downs. Roseau fumbled, then picked off a Christian Hedstrom pass, and immediately fumbled the ball back on the ensuing play. Champa scored his second touchdown of the game on a six-yard touchdown run; Luke Payne made the kick and it was 27-0 Lakers with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Laker reserves entered the game and as a former Laker who was once a reserve charged to preserve a shutout and a starter who watched the reserves let one go, I know how it feels on both ends. It really doesn’t matter, but when you’re a kid it can matter and those starters are cheering hard for the reserves and the reserves are trying their best to keep the goose egg on the board. A pass interference call set up a Reilly Strote 10-yard run for six points with 17.5 ticks left on the clock. Strote’s kick was no good. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1073873","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"320","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"480"}}]] DL won the game 27-6 and headlights appeared on the gravel road. It was the kind woman who lives at the end of road returning from the game in Goodridge. I’m sure Dr. D will be here soon, but if not and I’m never heard from again, at least I reported on the game. I kid. He’s 10 minutes away and now here and my laptop battery power is waning. Good night from the gravel road. Laker results: Detroit Lakes 27, Roseau 6 DL 0 20 7 0–27 R 0 0 0 6–6 DL– Jackson 2 run (Payne kick) DL– Champa 30 fumble recovery (Payne kick) DL– Cihak 20 pass from Hedstrom (kick failed) DL– Champa 6 run (Payne kick) R– Stroot 10 run (kick failed) A stunning sunset passed bringing a downpour as I sat in my broken down Camry Friday night on a lonely gravel road off of highway 219 during the Lakers football game. I was 52 miles short of Roseau. Via the hot spot on my phone, a 3G signal and my laptop, I listened on a Wild 102 FM stream where the Laker fight song played in the background often, along with Laker cheers, as DL ran over the Rams. It rained far more at the game. My rescue, mechanic and great friend Dr. D started from Laker land around 6:30 p.m. Around 8:15 p.m., he sent a message. “Just saw the first three deer. Yeehaw!” The Camry has, or maybe had, 276,724 miles on it. For many small-town sports writers, driving a beater is standard operating procedure as road trips like this are common. Why burn up a new car? Perhaps this three-hour stay on gravel is the reason. Luckily, my car had power giving me full phone access and my laptop battery was charged with enough life for the game. Many people showed empathy and good-hearted chiding via email, text, and Twitter to keep me occupied. I had left some fresh strawberries and two bananas on my kitchen counter in a hurry to make it to Mahnomen to hit Shooting Star with plenty of time to get to the game. Wish I had those munchies. Funny thing, my luck was on a roll early in the trip. There’s this one particular dollar slot machine at the Star that I have enjoyed success at dating back to when I worked in Grand Forks in 2007 and routinely drove back to DL on weekends. Seems like every time I stop at this one-armed bandit, I win. I slid three $20 bills into the beast and proceeded to win $15 on the first spin. Could have grabbed a coffee and split, but that isn’t how gambling works, is it? Repeated depresses of the spin button brought me to my final spin. I dashed a cigarette into the ashtray, took a sip of my coffee with tiny hope disguised as a sigh. Triple blue bar. Triple blue bar….holy smokes...triple blue bar. $90. Plus thirty, I cashed out and hit the road. Upon reaching Goodridge, I was less than an hour from Roseau with plenty of time to check into my hotel and grab a bite at Earl’s Drive-In. Many drivers know the next feeling. The car lost some power, tachometer dipped, the normal purr of the engine traded for a sound no driver wants to hear. I punched it. She revved and got back up to cruising speed but the dread was palpable and seconds later the oil light and a number of other warning lights, the ones that usually aren’t on all the time, flashed and the Camry died. Luckily, I have a calm constitution. It takes a lot to get me worked up. I spotted the lonely gravel road and just sat there. Minutes later, the owner of a home that must reside at the end of the road pulled up, offered assistance. “Help is on the way,” I said. “I have my hot spot, phone and laptop; I’ll be fine and thanks!” She pulled off to attend a game in Goodridge and it was kickoff time in Roseau. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1073870","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"320","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"480"}}]] After a scoreless first quarter, Parker Jackson got DL on the board on a two-yard run; Sam Champa returned a fumble 30 yards and Christian Hedstrom hit Ryan Cihak from 20 yards out. By halftime, the Lakers had a 20-0 lead, while Roseau suffered at the hands of the Laker defense finally gaining their initial first down with seven minutes to play in the half. The third quarter began with a trio of turnovers after DL was stopped on their opening drive on downs. Roseau fumbled, then picked off a Christian Hedstrom pass, and immediately fumbled the ball back on the ensuing play. Champa scored his second touchdown of the game on a six-yard touchdown run; Luke Payne made the kick and it was 27-0 Lakers with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Laker reserves entered the game and as a former Laker who was once a reserve charged to preserve a shutout and a starter who watched the reserves let one go, I know how it feels on both ends. It really doesn’t matter, but when you’re a kid it can matter and those starters are cheering hard for the reserves and the reserves are trying their best to keep the goose egg on the board. A pass interference call set up a Reilly Strote 10-yard run for six points with 17.5 ticks left on the clock. Strote’s kick was no good.
DL won the game 27-6 and headlights appeared on the gravel road. It was the kind woman who lives at the end of road returning from the game in Goodridge. I’m sure Dr. D will be here soon, but if not and I’m never heard from again, at least I reported on the game. I kid. He’s 10 minutes away and now here and my laptop battery power is waning. Good night from the gravel road. Laker results: Detroit Lakes 27, Roseau 6 DL 0 20 7 0–27 R 0 0 0 6–6 DL– Jackson 2 run (Payne kick) DL– Champa 30 fumble recovery (Payne kick) DL– Cihak 20 pass from Hedstrom (kick failed) DL– Champa 6 run (Payne kick) R– Stroot 10 run (kick failed) A stunning sunset passed bringing a downpour as I sat in my broken down Camry Friday night on a lonely gravel road off of highway 219 during the Lakers football game. I was 52 miles short of Roseau.Via the hot spot on my phone, a 3G signal and my laptop, I listened on a Wild 102 FM stream where the Laker fight song played in the background often, along with Laker cheers, as DL ran over the Rams.It rained far more at the game.My rescue, mechanic and great friend Dr. D started from Laker land around 6:30 p.m.Around 8:15 p.m., he sent a message. “Just saw the first three deer. Yeehaw!”The Camry has, or maybe had, 276,724 miles on it. For many small-town sports writers, driving a beater is standard operating procedure as road trips like this are common. Why burn up a new car?Perhaps this three-hour stay on gravel is the reason.Luckily, my car had power giving me full phone access and my laptop battery was charged with enough life for the game.Many people showed empathy and good-hearted chiding via email, text, and Twitter to keep me occupied.I had left some fresh strawberries and two bananas on my kitchen counter in a hurry to make it to Mahnomen to hit Shooting Star with plenty of time to get to the game. Wish I had those munchies.Funny thing, my luck was on a roll early in the trip.There’s this one particular dollar slot machine at the Star that I have enjoyed success at dating back to when I worked in Grand Forks in 2007 and routinely drove back to DL on weekends. Seems like every time I stop at this one-armed bandit, I win.I slid three $20 bills into the beast and proceeded to win $15 on the first spin. Could have grabbed a coffee and split, but that isn’t how gambling works, is it?Repeated depresses of the spin button brought me to my final spin.I dashed a cigarette into the ashtray, took a sip of my coffee with tiny hope disguised as a sigh.Triple blue bar. Triple blue bar….holy smokes...triple blue bar. $90. Plus thirty, I cashed out and hit the road.Upon reaching Goodridge, I was less than an hour from Roseau with plenty of time to check into my hotel and grab a bite at Earl’s Drive-In.Many drivers know the next feeling. The car lost some power, tachometer dipped, the normal purr of the engine traded for a sound no driver wants to hear.I punched it.She revved and got back up to cruising speed but the dread was palpable and seconds later the oil light and a number of other warning lights, the ones that usually aren’t on all the time, flashed and the Camry died.Luckily, I have a calm constitution. It takes a lot to get me worked up. I spotted the lonely gravel road and just sat there. Minutes later, the owner of a home that must reside at the end of the road pulled up, offered assistance.“Help is on the way,” I said. “I have my hot spot, phone and laptop; I’ll be fine and thanks!”She pulled off to attend a game in Goodridge and it was kickoff time in Roseau.
After a scoreless first quarter, Parker Jackson got DL on the board on a two-yard run; Sam Champa returned a fumble 30 yards and Christian Hedstrom hit Ryan Cihak from 20 yards out. By halftime, the Lakers had a 20-0 lead, while Roseau suffered at the hands of the Laker defense finally gaining their initial first down with seven minutes to play in the half.The third quarter began with a trio of turnovers after DL was stopped on their opening drive on downs.Roseau fumbled, then picked off a Christian Hedstrom pass, and immediately fumbled the ball back on the ensuing play.Champa scored his second touchdown of the game on a six-yard touchdown run; Luke Payne made the kick and it was 27-0 Lakers with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.The Laker reserves entered the game and as a former Laker who was once a reserve charged to preserve a shutout and a starter who watched the reserves let one go, I know how it feels on both ends.It really doesn’t matter, but when you’re a kid it can matter and those starters are cheering hard for the reserves and the reserves are trying their best to keep the goose egg on the board.A pass interference call set up a Reilly Strote 10-yard run for six points with 17.5 ticks left on the clock. Strote’s kick was no good.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1073873","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"320","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"480"}}]]DL won the game 27-6 and headlights appeared on the gravel road. It was the kind woman who lives at the end of road returning from the game in Goodridge.I’m sure Dr. D will be here soon, but if not and I’m never heard from again, at least I reported on the game.I kid. He’s 10 minutes away and now here and my laptop battery power is waning.Good night from the gravel road.Laker results: Detroit Lakes 27, Roseau 6 DL 0 20 7 0–27 R 0 0 0 6–6 DL– Jackson 2 run (Payne kick) DL– Champa 30 fumble recovery (Payne kick) DL– Cihak 20 pass from Hedstrom (kick failed) DL– Champa 6 run (Payne kick) R– Stroot 10 run (kick failed) A stunning sunset passed bringing a downpour as I sat in my broken down Camry Friday night on a lonely gravel road off of highway 219 during the Lakers football game. I was 52 miles short of Roseau.Via the hot spot on my phone, a 3G signal and my laptop, I listened on a Wild 102 FM stream where the Laker fight song played in the background often, along with Laker cheers, as DL ran over the Rams.It rained far more at the game.My rescue, mechanic and great friend Dr. D started from Laker land around 6:30 p.m.Around 8:15 p.m., he sent a message. “Just saw the first three deer. Yeehaw!”The Camry has, or maybe had, 276,724 miles on it. For many small-town sports writers, driving a beater is standard operating procedure as road trips like this are common. Why burn up a new car?Perhaps this three-hour stay on gravel is the reason.Luckily, my car had power giving me full phone access and my laptop battery was charged with enough life for the game.Many people showed empathy and good-hearted chiding via email, text, and Twitter to keep me occupied.I had left some fresh strawberries and two bananas on my kitchen counter in a hurry to make it to Mahnomen to hit Shooting Star with plenty of time to get to the game. Wish I had those munchies.Funny thing, my luck was on a roll early in the trip.There’s this one particular dollar slot machine at the Star that I have enjoyed success at dating back to when I worked in Grand Forks in 2007 and routinely drove back to DL on weekends. Seems like every time I stop at this one-armed bandit, I win.I slid three $20 bills into the beast and proceeded to win $15 on the first spin. Could have grabbed a coffee and split, but that isn’t how gambling works, is it?Repeated depresses of the spin button brought me to my final spin.I dashed a cigarette into the ashtray, took a sip of my coffee with tiny hope disguised as a sigh.Triple blue bar. Triple blue bar….holy smokes...triple blue bar. $90. Plus thirty, I cashed out and hit the road.Upon reaching Goodridge, I was less than an hour from Roseau with plenty of time to check into my hotel and grab a bite at Earl’s Drive-In.Many drivers know the next feeling. The car lost some power, tachometer dipped, the normal purr of the engine traded for a sound no driver wants to hear.I punched it.She revved and got back up to cruising speed but the dread was palpable and seconds later the oil light and a number of other warning lights, the ones that usually aren’t on all the time, flashed and the Camry died.Luckily, I have a calm constitution. It takes a lot to get me worked up. I spotted the lonely gravel road and just sat there. Minutes later, the owner of a home that must reside at the end of the road pulled up, offered assistance.“Help is on the way,” I said. “I have my hot spot, phone and laptop; I’ll be fine and thanks!”She pulled off to attend a game in Goodridge and it was kickoff time in Roseau.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1073870","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"320","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"480"}}]]After a scoreless first quarter, Parker Jackson got DL on the board on a two-yard run; Sam Champa returned a fumble 30 yards and Christian Hedstrom hit Ryan Cihak from 20 yards out. By halftime, the Lakers had a 20-0 lead, while Roseau suffered at the hands of the Laker defense finally gaining their initial first down with seven minutes to play in the half.The third quarter began with a trio of turnovers after DL was stopped on their opening drive on downs.Roseau fumbled, then picked off a Christian Hedstrom pass, and immediately fumbled the ball back on the ensuing play.Champa scored his second touchdown of the game on a six-yard touchdown run; Luke Payne made the kick and it was 27-0 Lakers with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.The Laker reserves entered the game and as a former Laker who was once a reserve charged to preserve a shutout and a starter who watched the reserves let one go, I know how it feels on both ends.It really doesn’t matter, but when you’re a kid it can matter and those starters are cheering hard for the reserves and the reserves are trying their best to keep the goose egg on the board.A pass interference call set up a Reilly Strote 10-yard run for six points with 17.5 ticks left on the clock. Strote’s kick was no good.
DL won the game 27-6 and headlights appeared on the gravel road. It was the kind woman who lives at the end of road returning from the game in Goodridge.I’m sure Dr. D will be here soon, but if not and I’m never heard from again, at least I reported on the game.I kid. He’s 10 minutes away and now here and my laptop battery power is waning.Good night from the gravel road.Laker results: Detroit Lakes 27, Roseau 6 DL 0 20 7 0–27 R 0 0 0 6–6 DL– Jackson 2 run (Payne kick) DL– Champa 30 fumble recovery (Payne kick) DL– Cihak 20 pass from Hedstrom (kick failed) DL– Champa 6 run (Payne kick) R– Stroot 10 run (kick failed)
