Writing articles about losing football teams, especially ones that have a reputation for having big-time winning records, is a problem for me.

How does a person go about it?

First of all, just like the players and coaches, you must stay positive and make sure to stress the good things that happened on the field rather than focusing on all the negative stuff.

This is my third season reporting on the Oak Harbor Wildcats and during that period of time, the team has lost just three games.

The first was to Lake Stevens during the state championship season in 2006. That loss was on the road and I didn’t go to the game, so my article came entirely from statistics and an interview with the coach.

The second loss was in 2007 at Bothell in the quarterfinals. We got blown out in that one, enough said.

Friday’s defeat by Cascade was number three in my loss column and my sources tell me the players on the team are “bummed” about losing. But before any players or fans of the purple and gold throw up their hands in lamentation about how this is going to be a “long season” at Oak Harbor, let’s take a look at the facts.

The Wildcats were plus two in takeaways against Cascade and were penalized only twice for a total of 10 yards.

Oak Harbor was able to move the football on offense and had drives of 18 and 10 plays, both of which resulted in points being put on the board.

Finally the Wildcats had more passing yards than the Bruins, 96 to 77.

“We’ll take care of the couple mistakes we made and we’re going to be all right,” coach Jay Turner told me after the game.

Don’t be bummed, guys, you’ll do just fine.

Imagine what it must be like playing for Washington State! I’m not sure what term would be used for being below bummed, maybe wasted.

For those following the misfortunes of the Cougars in 2008, the first loss was a 39-13 whipping by Oklahoma State and last week, oh last week, the lads from Pullman got their heads handed to them by California 66-3.

I turned the debacle off at halftime but I heard two of our Oak Harbor grads, Marshall Lobbestal and Will Hunter, both got some playing time late in the game. I’m sorry I missed their first time playing in a college game, but I have no doubt people on Whidbey Island will see a lot of more them in the upcoming years.

The Cougars were scheduled to play in Waco, Texas, against the Baylor Bears today, but the game was played last night due to the arrival of Hurricane Ike.

What else can go wrong?

The mighty Bears, who have been at the bottom of the heap ever since they played in the old Southwest Conference back in the day, lost 41-13 in their season opener to Wake Forest, but came back last week with a 51-6 victory over Northwestern State.

Who knows what will happen when they square off against the offensively challenged and defensively inept Cougars?

After the trip to the Lone Star State, WSU returns to Pullman Sept. 20 to play Portland State (a Division II school so maybe a chance for a victory) and the week after, host Oregon for homecoming.

Whose bright idea was it for the Cougars to host the Ducks in the homecoming game?

Whoever it was, they should be relieved of their position with the sports department.

Wazoo isn’t the only college team having a rough time of it this season. The Oregon State Beavers are 0-2 for the first time in 10 years or so and coach Tyrone Willingham’s job is on the line every time U-Dub takes the field.

This week, Oklahoma gets to beat up on the hapless Huskies.

As far as all-time bad college teams are concerned, Prairie View A&M once lost 80 straight games and Columbia lost 44 in a row.

Think about it all you Wildcats and Wildcats’ fans, things sure could be a heck of a lot worse.

In fact, there is no cause for alarm whatsoever.

If losing one game wrecks the entire season, the Seattle Mariners should have hung it up back in April.