Week 3 preview - 9/19

Game of the Week

Ilwaco vs. Naselle, 7 pm, Pederson Field, Ilwaco High School

Though located just 21 miles apart, it has become a rarity when the Ilwaco Fishermen and Naselle Comets meet on the gridiron, which makes Friday night’s game — the Battle for Bear River Ridge — all the more exciting.
Ilwaco (0-2), the host team, comes into the game off a tough loss to class 2B South Bend last Friday, 21-7, and an even tougher loss in their season-opener the week before to Winlock in the final minute of the game, 28-27.
Naselle (1-1) also got off to a rough start, getting blanked at their biggest rival, Wahkiakum, in the KM Trophy game 13-0 in week one. The Comets, however, atoned for their poor play — giving up six turnovers, five of which were fumbles — to come back in week two with a convincing 28-12 win over Warrenton in the Comets home opener last Friday night.

For the Comets, missing personnel may once again be a factor. Naselle will likely still be without Alan Erickson, who suffered a shoulder injury in week one and sat out last week’s game. It is also uncertain whether RB Tony Fletcher will be available for the game (he has been academically ineligible the first two games). However the Comets running game looked good in his absence last Friday as Logan Scrabeck ran for 166 yards — part of 301 ground yards for the Comets in the game.

The Fishermen have played well at times during their first two games, but have yet to put it together for all four quarters. Their lone goal in last week's game came on a wild "hook and ladder" play as the half time whistle blew.

Be sure to check back Saturday for more from the big game, including a photo gallery from the game, a highlight video, as well as player blog posts .