Week 4 preview - 9/26

GAME OF THE WEEK

Naselle vs. Raymond, 7 pm, Naselle High School

After a less than spectacular non-league schedule, the Comets (1-2) get into Pacific League play tonight at home against the Raymond High Gulls (0-3). 

The Comets last game was one they would like to forget. In fact, they most likely wish they could erase everything about the 43-14 loss to Ilwaco (1-2) in the Battle for Bear River Ridge. After a kick return for a touchdown on their second possession, the Comets did not score again until the final minutes of the game — meanwhile giving up an unanswered run of 29 points. The team easily had it's worst game of the last two seasons. 

The injury bug, which had already claimed Alan Erickson the previous two games, hit again against Ilwaco, this  time claiming RB Logan Scrabeck (who re-fractured an elbow) and then lineman Tommy Rose. Word has it that QB Austin Burkhalter may have been a little banged up too (he was replaced at QB in the fourth quarter by John Hines).

The good news is the Comets will be at home, where they have won six of their last seven home games, and face a Raymond team that has lost their first three games by an average score of 44-7. The Gulls come into Friday night's game having lost to Valley last week 7-36.

It is unclear as to whether Erickson will be back on the field this week for the Comets, but they will once again have the services of "The Cheetah" Tony Fletcher at RB. Be sure to dress warm, as the forecast calls for chilly evening temps and a breeze.

Be sure to check back Saturday for a photo gallery from the game, as well as game recaps and player blog posts.

Ilwaco @ Evergreen Lutheran, 12:30 pm, Saturday Sept. 27, at Federal Way Memorial Field

On the flip side of the coin from last week's Bear River Battle is the Ilwaco Fishermen (1-2) who gained a world of confidence after their dominating victory. The Fishermen will play an unusual road game on Saturday afternoon against Evergreen Lutheran of Des Moines (0-3). The Fishermen should be doubly pumped for this one, as they not only will be riding high after last week's win, but they will be playing not under the Friday night lights, but possibly the sun at the big Federal Way stadium. The team will be treated to a special post-game bonus — a trip to Seattle to watch the UW Huskies take on the Stanford Cardinal at 7 pm.

The Eagles come into Saturday's game having lost 12-39 to Darrington last week. The 12 points they scored last week were the only points they'd scored all season, having lost their first two games with identical 0-55 scores to Orcas Island and Adna.

The Fishermen's successful switch to a spread option offense helped them bolster their average scoring output to 26 points per game (PPG), while giving up an average of 21 PPG.

It is uncertain as of right now if the Observer will be able to send staff to this game, but check back Sunday & Monday for results and player blog posts