Week 3 - Naselle player posts

Tough Game Against Ilwaco

Naselle rose through adversity Friday night, and pulled out a win in a ugly football game at Raistakka Field. This week we took some hits. Monday five players were called into the school office and suspended for three to four weeks. Coach Eaton was given the tough task of replacing the three starters on offense and defensive starters. Six sophomores made up our offensive line Friday night and six underclassmen started on defense. There was obvious youth, however we were able to pull through and win 22-20 over Ilwaco.

This whole week at practice, we had been preparing for the I-formation and for spread offenses, but Friday night the Fishermen surprised us with the Wing-T. Ilwaco got the ball to start the half and fullback wedge worked well for Ilwaco at thee start of the game. It took some time for the D-line (all sophomores) to figure out how to get the much larger Ilwaco linemen on the ground. But once we figured it out we didn't give much.

We scored twice in the first half, and were maintaining a 14-0 lead with around 35 seconds to go in the half when Ilwaco QB slipped a pass though three defenders and into the hands of his tight end. We were content to take a knee and go into the locker room up 14-7.

The third quarter was very very ugly. We didn't gain a single yard of offense. The first play from scrimmage resulted in a Naselle fumble. Our defense managed to hold them, however on the next offensive play I fumbled the ball and Ilwaco recovered again. This time Ilwaco found paydirt. The PAT failed, and we led 14-13. On the ensuing kickoff, Jesus Martinez returned the rock 70plus yards for a Naselle TD. after a two-point conversion we took a 22-13 lead. In the fourth quarter, Ilwaco continued to stop our offense. We managed only 125 yards of offense. We almost gave Ilwaco the game when a snap went over our punter's head. On fourth down, with two minutes to go, Ilwaco decided to try to take the lead with a field goal. However, we were not about to give up our home field. Freshmen Kai Leech had the game saving field goal block! After a first down on offense, Austin Burkhalter took a knee and ran out the clock. We won!

Coach said that every team has a game like this, one with many mistakes, and I believe him. I am glad that we were able to come out on top. It was a great win considering all problems we had internally this week. I was really pleased with the defensive play of DE Ryley Queener (this was his first defensive start), frosh OLB Kai Leech (also first start), ILB Seth Scrabeck (12 tackles), and DL Robert Eaton. These guys really stepped up and played well.

Offensively, Ilwaco did a good job and held us to minimum yardage. Lead rusher Logan Scrabeck ran for 66yards and had a TD. QB Austin Burkhalter also had a offensive TD.

With this win under our belts, we are focusing on our new mission: Raymond, our first league game.

Alan Erickson
NHS LB, FB
To God be the Glory