Week 9 preview

Naselle @ Ocosta, 7 pm, Westport, Wa.
The Naselle Comets are riding high after their huge win last week at home against north county rival South Bend, 25-13. The Comets, who assured themselves a playoff spot and at least a share of the Pacific League title, still have a lot riding on this season finale game. If they lose they would probably finish third in the league and have to play their first round playoff game on Tuesday, Nov. 6 against the third place team from the Central league. If they win tonight there are a number of possibilities as to whether they win the title outright or share it with either Willapa Valley, South Bend, or both. If a three-way tie persists after this week's games, a coin flip has decided the seedings for the playoffs with South Bend in third, Naselle in second and Valley in first. If this plays out, as it likely will, the Comets would be going on the road to play the winner of Friday night's game between Seattle Lutheran and Darrington. This game would likely take place Saturday, Nov. 10. If Valley loses to Raymond tonight then Naselle would be the number one seed and host the winner of the third place game from Tuesday — potentially a rematch with South Bend or their KM Mountain rival, Wahkiakum.
While the Ocosta Wildcats are 5-4 on the season, 3-3 in league, they are a formidable 4-1 at home, including a win last week against North Beach, 19-13. The Wildcats score an average of 16 ppg and give up an average of 20 ppg for the season, but average 20 ppg and only give up an average of 6 ppg in their four home wins, making this a potentially tough finale.

Ilwaco @ Winlock, 7 pm, Winlock, Wa. — District crossover game
The Fishermen end their season with a district crossover game against the Winlock Cardinals (0-9 overall, 0-6 league). The Fishermen are coming into their final game of the season on a high note, having won their second game of the year last week at Stevenson, 25-14 — a victory that kept the Fishermen from ending the year in last place. The Fishermen did two weeks ago, the Cardinals forfeited their game last week to Montesano due to a lack of eligible players.
The Cardinals have had little to no success all year, averaging only 6 ppg (they were shut out three times) while giving up an average of 40 ppg. The Fishermen are only slightly better on the season, averaging 13 ppg while giving up 37 ppg.
This game will be the last for standout senior running back Eddie Knick, who last week rushed for 250 yards, giving him over 1,000 on the season for the fourth straight year. Tonight he will try to add some more to his career total of 4,723.

*Check back Friday morning for photos from the IHS crossover game and player recaps from the Naselle game.