Dunn gets the job done for the Lions

Don’t let the 6-foot-even, 165-pound stature of senior James Dunn fool you.

He’s a player ... a force to be dealt with on both sides of the ball.

He’s big enough, and tough enough, to get the job done.

“I’m more of a sure tackler,” the all-state defensive standout for the Eureka Lions said of his playing style.

“I don’t get a lot of tackles broken. I don’t lay a lot of people out either.” .

He just make plays, has a nose for the football.

His gridiron skills and instincts have helped the four-year starter at middle linebacker become one of the team’s top defenders for the better part of his prep career.

This year he has registered 31 solo and 56 assisted tackles and is tied for third in tackles for loss with 9.5.

In pass coverage he is fourth in passes broken up with four.

On the offensive side, he has shown good hands and runs precise routes. He leads the team in receiving from his tight end spot with 20 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns.

“I’d give up the tight end position,” he said if he had to chose one position over the other.

“Defense is where I started. I understand it more than offense. And I’m better hitting somebody as to getting hit.”

Regardless, he’s a key two-way performer. And Eureka needs him to do both to be successful, especially today as the Lions face Missoula Loyola in the Class B championship football game.

“He’s been a solid leader since his freshman year,” Eureka coach Trevor Utter said.

“He’s a kid that’s pretty quiet, extremely hard working ... he’s one of the most intelligent football players I’ve met.

“He’s our quarterback on defense,” Utter continued.

“If he sees something that needs to be changed on the field, James gets everyone lined up correctly and ready.”

Utter said Dunn’s biggest contributions are on that side of the ball.

“He’s our defensive glue,” Utter said.

“He definitely makes his impact on defense.

“He’s a great linebacker, a great kid,” Utter continued.

“So likeable.”

Dunn’s prep career opened with a memorable sack on his first snap in the first game of his freshman season. The contest was well out of hand, so Dunn and the other reserves picked up some valuable playing time.

The next week, he was surprisingly named the team’s starting middle linebacker slot.

“They wanted to see if I could do better (at that position than the starter) and I did,” he said.

“They put (the starter) in a different position and he excelled there.”

Eureka went 4-4 that year and advanced to the playoffs.

The Lions posted a 6-3 mark his sophomore year, and were in the playoffs again.

Last year the record dipped to 3-5 with no postseason action.

This season, things have been much different. Eureka is 10-1 and in the title game for the first time since 1990.

“I would say it is,” he said of this being the best Lions team he has played for.

“I’m not saying the other teams before weren’t, but this year we’re more of a team, playing for each other and not just going for stats.”

Eureka seems to have everything rolling in the right direction. The Lions have ripped off eight straight wins since a 28-18 loss to Shelby back on Sept. 9.

“That was a turning point,” Dunn said.

“It showed that we still need to improve every week to achieve our goal. We’re still taking that approach — improving and getting better.”

This will ironically mark Eureka’s second trip to Missoula this fall. The first time was the Shelby game, which was played at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Today’s game is at Loyola’s Rollins Field.

“I’ve thought about that,” he said.

“I’m a superstitious guy. Historically we haven’t played well (in Missoula). We always lost to Loyola, what I remember. I hope we can break those couple curses.

“This is the furthest I’ve been (in the playoffs),” he continued.

“Kind of unchartered territory. I didn’t know what to expect each game.”

To be successful, he said the Lions must do two things.

“Not let them sustain 10-play drives and chew up a lot of clock. Make sure their offense is off the field for as long as possible.”

And the offense must do its part.

“Our running game is the best part,” he said.

“We have a pretty good running back (Cannan Smith) and a great offensive line.”

Dunn said he and his teammates have enjoyed the atmosphere surrounding the playoffs.

“It would be pretty special,” he said to win the state title.

“Every where you go (in town) you see our numbers, see Lions painted on the windows. It’s pretty cool to have that support. It would be pretty special for the town (to have a state championship team).”

And making all of this more meaningful is Dunn’s father, Chad, is the defensive coordinator for the Lions. His brother, Hank, is a freshman quarterback/defensive back on the varsity roster.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said of the family connection.

“This is the first sport I’ve had my brother with me. When I go home, my dad and I talk about defenses and how we can stop them. My mom is always supportive (of the football chatter). It’s pretty special. I have a close-knit family.”