He was given a different color jersey and told to pretend he was the opposition’s best player.
No one ever wants to be the “best” player on a scout team, but that was Gabe Mullin’s role a few weeks last year in the Union football program. He was a junior then, far away from quality minutes in a varsity game, but close enough to help the varsity prepare.
“They didn’t like it too much,” Mullin said of some of his older teammates, whenever he would make them look bad. “I got beat up on but I kept with it. I think it opened the coaches’ eyes, too. They were impressed.”
A year later, Mullin is still not a star, but he is a key contributor to Union’s 6-0 start and No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press’ Class 4A state football poll. In fact, Mullin has never been a star, not even back when he started playing football when he was in the fifth grade.
He never missed a season, though. He never stopped believing that one day he could shine under the lights of Friday night.
Gary McGarvie is the new head coach this season but he has been with the Titans since the program opened in the fall of 2007. He said he gets chills thinking about how far Mullin has come along in his football development.
Every year there is a player who just turns a switch and becomes so much better than anyone around him anticipated.
“He’s the best example of that type of kid that we’ve ever had at Union,” McGarvie said.
Mullin took a moment to let it sink in when he heard that description.
“Football has always been one of my passions, even though I wasn’t a star,” Mullin said. “I like the hard work and dedication it takes to play. I just think it’s really fun to play.”
He never imagined giving it up. He barely played as a freshman. He got a little more time on the field as a sophomore on the junior varsity. Again, as a junior, it was mostly JV time, and a little special teams play on varsity.
Nothing in his résumé suggested he was going to break out as a senior.
“In the offseason, I talked to McGarvie and I told him I’m going to try to be more of a leader. Instead of just one of the players who sat back, I was going to take a big leadership role with the team,” Mullin said.
That meant he had to jump at every opportunity to get in a drill during spring practice. It meant never taking off for a play or two.
“I was going to apply myself and get in as many chances as I could,” Mullin said. “And now I’m starting.”
Mullin, a wide receiver and cornerback, is in the main rotation on offense and is a starter on defense.
He had his breakthrough in Week 2 against Curtis. After a scoreless first quarter, it was Mullin who hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass from Nolan Henry to give the Titans the lead for good.
“It felt awesome to know I’m the one who got us the score,” Mullin said. “We executed the play pretty well. It was a great pass from Nolan, between two defenders. I’m just glad I held on.”
The celebration did not last too long. After all, it was still the second quarter. Plus, Mullin is a big part of this team now, so one play is not going to define him.
“I realized if you work hard, then plays like that can happen all the time,” he said. “I didn’t want that to be the only thing to remember. I want to make multiple plays throughout the season.”
On defense, he has two interceptions.
While the season has been a success so far for Mullin and the Titans, the competition is about to get stronger. Tonight, Union hosts No. 2 Camas in one of the most highly anticipated games in Southwest Washington football history. No matter the result tonight, both teams expect to have long playoff runs. This game, though, will bring a little November playoff intensity to October.
“I definitely got some nerves,” Mullin acknowledged. “I’m just trying to stay confident and just remember my coaching.”
When he is playing in front of a full house at McKenzie Stadium tonight, he might also want to take a second to remember where he was and how he got there.
It has been a long journey, but Gabe Mullin made it to the big time.
