Naselle player posts - Week 9

Comets are headed for the playoffs

All week Coach Glick told us "if you win, your in the playoffs", a statement which i know was going through all of our heads the entire game. Well we did just that and we are headed to the playoffs the week after next. But this week we host Ocosta for our final home game of the season and senior night. I hope to make my last game on Rueben Pentilla field a good one, and i am sure the other seniors feel the same way. Lets get it done this week boys.

-Marcus Sanchez #75

Win And Your In! Naselle Earns Playoff Berth!

Playing under the lights Friday night is always a great experience; one with its own personal ambiance. But each game is a little different depending on the circumstances - this Friday was laden with circumstances - the playoffs were on the line. With the second seed all tied up as of last week between North Beach, South Bend, and us, we had an opportunity to take it outright with a win against South Bend. All week we prepared for the option, SB's signature play, and worked kinks in our offense. We all knew the magnitude of the game, but for some reason, we came out cold. But, sometimes football is like golf... a good finish is most important.

We started out with the ball, but couldn't score on the drive. The first score came later in the first quarter on a pitch pass from Nick Hines to Tony Fletcher. But on the ensuing SB possession, Zach Boyes rumbled into the end zone after a pathetic defensive seris. The score was tied at halftime 7 to 7, but we were lucky. It could have possibly been the worst half of football we had played all year. Coach Eaton had some inspiring words at half time and we knew we were still in it. Coach Glick reminded us, "Win And Your In".

South Bend received the ball, and promptly made their way to pay dirt. I bet they ran the same play around five times in the drive. We couldn't stop the veer option. This drive stung. South Bend had momentum, while we were stuck in Gorilla Glue. They stopped us the whole third quarter and scored another touchdown to boot. To start the first quarter, we were behind 20-7, with momentum still in their favor. The shift came in after a Michael Shirley punt. On the first Indian play of the drive, they fumbled. We recovered. Pumped, but pressured by time, we shocked the stunned SB defense, scoring in under two minutes. 20-14. Leonel, who thus far has been an on/off kicker, boomed the pigskin to the 10 yard line where the returner slipped and fell. This was it; we all knew that we needed to stop them as soon as possible and give as much time to the offense. We made stops when the time came and forced them to punt after three plays. Starting around mid-field with four minutes to go, we began our winning drive. The line blocked well and the backs ran hard. We switched up formations and ran our version of the option. It caught them off guard and we moved at a fare clip. Austin Burkhalter scored the tying touchdown on a quarterback sneak behind linemen Michael Shirley, Tommy Rose, Nick Zimmermen, Marcus Sanchez, and Manny Lopez. Caleb Corona, who was 3 for 3 on PATs(including an attempt that was 10 yards deeper than normal due to penalties), showed ice cold nerves and split the uprights for the go ahead point. To make the comeback complete, Leonel Mendoza recovered his own kick after it bounced off a chest plate of a up man. The quarterback kneel, sealed the deal... WE ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!

We, the Comets, have consistently rose above adversity. Friday night we accomplished our regular season goal to make the playoffs. Thursday, we play Ocosta at Rueben Pentilla field. Be sure to join us for senior night and the final regular season game.

NHS LB,FB
Alan Erickson