First round 2B state playoffs preview

Naselle vs. Seattle Lutheran, Interlake High School stadium, Bellevue, Wa., 2 p.m. Saturday

The Naselle Comets are taking their 8-1 record and their shared league title on the road this Saturday to face off against the 7-3 Seattle Lutheran Saints at Interlake High School in Bellevue. This is the Comets first playoff game since 2001, when they lost to Wahkiakum in the first round.
The Comets have been dominant all year, losing their only game by the sole touchdown they gave up in the game, back in September. While their offense has been an intricate weaving of option plays and passes, to the tune of a 30 ppg average, it has been their defense that has put them in this position — giving up an average of only 12 ppg, and forcing turnovers left and right.
On the other side of the field, the Saints enter the game boasting an offense that scores an average of 37 ppg. This is all done out of their T-wing offense, which relies heavily on the run. Naselle head coach Jeff Eaton said in an article in the Longview Daily News todaythat he would like to see the Comets bottle up the Saints running game in order to force them to throw more than they'd like. With the way the Comets have forced turnovers and interceptions, he sees this as a way to slow down that Saints offense.
The Comets should have some advantage against the Saints defense, which gives up an average of 20 ppg on the season, including 52 points last week in their loss to Darrington. The Saints started out the season 0-2 before rolling off seven straight before losing for the second time this year to Darrington.
The Comets are coming into the game on a roll, having won their last last five in a row following that lone loss to Valley back on Sept. 28 — by an average score of 37-12. Eaton said that due to various injuries and eligibility issues, the Comets have only had their full roster of players for the last four games — getting hot at just the right time. Saturday's game will be the first day game for the Comets this year.

Check back in tonight to see some pictures from the Comets pep rally this afternoon and again on Sunday morning for pictures and player blog recaps from the game.