week 6 preview - 10/10

Game of the Week

Ilwaco homecoming game vs. Stevenson, 7 pm, Peterson Field, Ilwaco

Following a disappointing blowout loss last week to league leader Kalama, Ilwaco (2-3) returns tonight for their homecoming game with Stevenson (1-4). This is the first time in a few years that Ilwaco has played a team with a losing record in their homecoming game, and with the kind of numbers the Bulldogs have put up — or more accurately have not put up — the Fishermen and their high flying offense come into the game as the favorite.

Last week the Bulldogs lost 34-0 at home to league foe LaCenter. The week before Stevenson got their first win of the season, 17-8 over 2A Oregon school Corbett (0-4).  The Bulldogs have lost four of their five games by an average score of 9-30, and they have been shut-out twice already.

The Fishermen on the other hand saw their high-powered spread offense come to a grinding halt last week against a strong Chinooks defense. But while they were shut out in the first half, the Fishermen came out in the second half and matched the Chinooks output 15-15, ending with an identical amount of total yardage for the game. Ilwaco's biggest problem was turnovers, something they will need to keep to a minimum if they wish to continue to get better as a team.

Check back Saturday morning to find a photo gallery from the game, as well as player blog posts and a game recap.

Naselle vs. Northwest Christian, 7 pm, Naselle High School

After hitting a major speed bump last week in their quest to repeat as Pacific League champs, the Comets (2-3) have a good chance to get back on the winning track tonight when the Northwest Christian Navigators (0-5) come to town. 

This is only the third season of football for the Navigators, who have gone 1-22 in that time. So far this year NWC has lost by an average score of 9-23, though they put up a heck of a fight last week against defending co-league champ South Bend before finally falling 14-19 at the end of the fourth quarter.

The good thing for the Comets is that when they have won, they've won big — by an average of 30-10 — but when they have lost, they've also lost big — by an average of 26-7. The Comets have also been plagued by two main detractors this season — turnovers and injuries. And while they really can't control the injury bug, they can definitely corral the number of turnovers they give up per game. A win tonight would put Naselle back to even with a 3-3 overall record and better yet, a 2-1 league record. The Comets take a break from league play next week for a rematch of their first round playoff game at Seattle Lutheran, but come back for only three more league games, two of which are at home. The Comets play two tough games back-to-back — their homecoming game with North Beach (4-1) followed by a trip to rival South Bend (4-1), and then end the regular season against Ocosta (1-3). So far this season the Comets have won all their home games, while dropping the games they've played on the road.

Check back Saturday for player blog posts and a game recap.