Naselle: What a Great Year!

This year has been a blur for me. Since the Wahkiakum game when I subluxed my shoulder, to watching and coaching the middle backers in the Warrenton contest; it all went so fast. Our only league loss came to valley, whom we met in the quarterfinals and gained our revenge. But looking back, there were so many outstanding victories, ones full of integrity, heart, love. The memories near endless... the overtime comeback against Northwest Christian, a loss that would have possibly ended our playoff run, the offensive showdown between us and North Beach that was decided with a missed 13 yard field goal kicked with 14 seconds to go. But possibly my fondest memory was the South Bend game. We didn't play well, we hadn't found our first half grove. But we came back from a 20-7 deficit with 6:00 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was the best birthday Coach Eaton could ever have. Senior night came and we thumped Ocosta 35-0. Gaining confidence, we stormed into the playoffs. Our first opponent Seattle Lutheran beat us in the regular season in a late non-league game 22-19. But we were ready the second time, there was NO way that was going to happen again. We devastated the Saints 34-7. Next came Valley in the quarters, which proved to be a great game. We fell behind twice in the game, but we never gave up and never will. "NASELLE PRIDE FOR 48" We bounced back from the 6-0 start for Valley and a 14-13 lead to start the second half. after that we scored two unanswered TD's and never looked back even though the game came down to 4 points via a safety and one other touchdown. Beating the Willapa Valley Vikings was my greatest memory of the season. We hadn't beat them in 15 years; what better time to prove what Naselle was made of than in a state quarterfinal game? It was awesome. Our berth to the Tacoma Dome was answered and we were faced with the tough opponent the 10-2 Napavine Tigers.

This game is still a blur and its going to sting for awhile. We actually played well offensively and defensively. We had more yards than P-vine 267 yds to 252. Last week Napavine amassed over 800 yards of total offense. We were not going to let that happen. But Micah Brown the quick and elusive fly back, had a good game and, burned us for 112. The misdirection of the fly offense was the hardest part for me. On our first drive, we moved ball 80 yards, down to our 10 yard line, before coughing it up. However, we got the ball back after a P-vine player fumbled two plays later on the 22 yard line. This time we scored. Austin Burkhalter took the QB sneak in for the touchdown. After Napavine's score to the tie it up, we got the ball and moved it down to around their 20 yard line. But we couldn't score on a long ball on third down from Nick Hines, our WILDCAT QB, to Burkhalter. We didn't convert on fourth down and four either, so the Tigers had about a minute to make something happen. We held them and went into the cooler environment of the meeting room. The Tacoma Dome is HOT! The heat really wears you out. We were hydrating well all week, but it felt like we were playing in mid-august. But I can't express how great the feeling was to play under the wooden dome. It was really quite amazing. Something I will never forget.

To start the game, Napavine won the toss and deferred. So the balanced running attack of the Tigers started with the ball in the second half. Leonel Mendoza's kick was nice and deep, but the Tiger's went from a middle return to an outside one. We couldn't could catch #3 Waltenberg until our thirty. They had great field position through out the game, which really hurt us. Playing defense on a short field is probably one of the most difficult aspect's of football. Your opponent has all the momentum and you are on your heels. Anyway, there was one play I remember clearly, it was like the "statue of liberty" play Boise State ran a couple years ago against Oklahoma (I think). It was fourth and eight and the Tigers were on our 33 yard line. They lined up in the pro set and was thinking they were going to run a wraparound draw we had practiced. I was starring at that drawback the whole time, but there had to be like three or four fakes and I reacted to one and #25 had a open field and 30 yard to a first down. That play was the worst. It lead to Napavine's go ahead TD. 12-6. Napavine really tightened up their defense in the second half. They forced a couple three and outs, and punched in their final touchdown with 11:00 to go in the 4th quarter after and Napavine pick. We still had our heads up though. We had come back from a larger deficit against South Bend with only 6:00 to go. There was no way we were going to give up. We scored with 34 seconds to go, Caleb Corona made the only extra point of the game. Mendoza's onside kick fell into Napavine's hands and they took three knees to run out the clock. The final score 18-13. Only Adna held them to fewer points than us and that was in week three. We could hold our heads high knowing we made school history. But, I would like one more chance at Napavine just to see what would happen. So far all of our "revenge games" have resulted in Comet victories.

We were presented with the third place trophy in the end zone. We can be proud of our achievements, but we were all full of emotion, and were antsy to hit the locker room. Coach Eaton looked into our emotion filled faces and told us how great of a season we had. He told us to be proud of what we had accomplished. He told the seniors of the pivotal roll they made in the gaining success of COMET FOOTBALL. Coach Glick repeated the same message, as did Coach Wirkkala. Coach E then opened it to the seniors, and Nick Hines spoke up first. He gave an inspired speech, saying that no matter what if you play with the heart of our coaches you will go far. He was right. I can't thank Coach Eaton, Coach Glick, and Coach Wirkkala for a better season. They prepared us well every week and never gave up on us when we had a shaky start. We all love you guys! You all love football and it shows! Like Nick says if we play with your heart we will go far. The most emotional part of the whole season was the final chant of the season, "COMET PRIDE FOR EVER". Coach Eaton was all choked up and could barely say "1,2,3". It was when the tears started to really flow.

It stings to fall in the semis, especially when we had chances to come out on top. It still stings today. Our run to the playoffs was one of the best in school history and the playoff experience the most exciting ever! I want to thank all of the seniors, Michael Shirley, Nick "The Shrew" Hines, Tony "Cheetah" Fletcher, Gabe "Mitchum" See, Marcus Sanchez, Tommy Rose, Caleb Corona, Stephen Griss, and Nathaniel Finch. You all turned the program around. We are going we work hard to keep it rolling. We love you guys. Thanks for a great season! Also I have to thank every one else, especially the practice squad guys. You all came to practice and gave us the best look you could, we couldn't ask for more. Also to freshmen Nick Zimmerman and Seth Scrabeck who came so far this year. Nice work boys. Thank you Dad for keeping stats and coming to every game. I can't thank you enough for all your heart and COMET PRIDE. I extend a appreciative hand to the scorers, and guys in the box. Chris Dorman, thank you for all the NFL like announcing and support. I can't thank the community enough. Your support was incredible. You were way louder than the Napavine crowd! Finally, I have to thank my Savior Jesus Christ for all the opportunities he gives us here on earth and for always comforting me in times of struggle on and off the field.

Congrats to the 2008 Naselle Comets! !!COMET PRIDE FOR EVER!!

NHS FB, LB
Alan Erickson