Huddled before the scoreboard that displayed a final of 25-13, a score that assured their dreams had come true, the Naselle Comets posed for pictures to preserve this historic moment — at least a share of the Pacific League football title, and their first playoff appearance since 1998 (they haven't won a playoff game since 1986).
The game had a palpable excitement to it. Not only was the league championship and a playoff spot on the line, but the Comets were playing perhaps their greatest rival, South Bend. WHile some fans cheer for their team hoping to win, South Bend fans seem to have a sense that they fully expect a win. So while it was a home game for the Comets, at many times the South Bend made it feel like it was being played in the north county.
South Bend's spread offense, lead by senior quarterback Randy Eang, was giving the Comets fits right out of the gate, with the option play being run in a variety of ways, the Comets had a hard time picking up were the ball was at ot where it was going. South Bend scored early, taking a 7-0 lead.
This was however short-lived, as the Comets, through a series of run plays to the outside by Tony Fletcher (above) and two long touchdown strikes to Gabe See put the Comets on top for good. They would add another score later on perhaps the play of the year, a 90-plus interception return for a TD that sealed the deal for the Comets.
The win had to be sweet for the whole valley, but perhaps especially for those seniors who played on a 1-win team their freshman year. They've certainly come a long way, but it's not over yet. The Comets play their final regular season game this Thursday at Ocosta. They will then wait for state playoff seeding to find out if they will play their first round game on Friday Nov. 9 or Saturday Nov. 10. You can find updated playoff info here at Friday Night sights and at www.chinookobserver.com-D.Mulinix, Observer photojournalist
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http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=133&SubSectionID=1050&ArticleID=46394&TM=54640.48
wow,
It appears that the writer who wrote our preview article in the Observer for the Naselle football team got their playoff history VERY wrong, which is what I've been going off of in my references on here.
Apparently, the Comets made the playoffs in 1991, 98 and in 2001. They got a playoff win in 1998, advancing to the state quarterfinals.
Not sure who that could have been overlooked in that writers reearch for the article, but we do apologize.
All this should not take away from the historical significance of this Comet teams' season!
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