Friday, September 11, 2009

Week 2 preview - 9/11/09

The deja vu tour continues for both Ilwaco and Naselle this week as for the second straight week they play the same opponent as they did in this week last season. 

Game of the Week
Ilwaco vs. South Bend, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 11, Peterson Field, IHS
The Ilwaco Fishermen (0-1) have got to be feeling a little torn over last week's season-opening loss at Winlock. On one hand you have a young team  putting up some serious offensive numbers — 338 yards total offense spread out pretty equally on the ground (145 yards) and through the air (198 yards)  — but on the other hand that same youth allowed for three turnovers, including one in the final minutes that resulted in the clinching touchdown for Winlock.
The Fishermen will need all the offensive firepower they can get tonight as they face off  with South Bend (1-0). All South Bend did in their season opener was knock off Pacific County juggernaut Willapa Valley 21-7. To put that into perspective,  last season the Vikings made it all the way to the state quarterfinals against Naselle before losing a game. In fact the Vikings beat South Bend twice last season by a combined score of 53-22 — so the Fishermen will have their hands full in their home opener tonight. Last year Ilwaco went on the road and fell 21-7 at South Bend.
Justin Short will be back under center tonight as Rey Sanchez is still out with a neck injury. Last week Short threw for 145 yards while running for another 139.

Naselle @ Warrenton, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 11, Warrenton High School

Last season the road was not kind to the Naselle Comets (1-0) early in the season, as they dropped their first  four road games. After a convincing win last week that brought the KM Trophy back to Naselle for the first time in 14 years the Comets are looking to stay on a roll as they travel to Warrenton (1-0) tonight. Last year the Comets took care of Warrenton 28-12. And while the team from across the river went on to win only 4 games last season, they're looking strong so far, as they  took down Pacific League contender North Beach 31-13  in last weeks opener.
Once again the Comets defense and running game will likely be the key for Naselle. Last week the Comets held a potentially potent Wahkiakum offense to just 124 total yards. Meanwhile big fullback Alan Erickson pounded the ball for 87 yards, while QB Austin Burkhalter added  137 total yards and grabbed an interception — he also defended a play in the endzone to thwart a 2-point conversion attempt.

Pigskin Pick'em
Last week we went 1-1 with our picks — we picked Naselle and Ilwaco to both win.
L-Ilwaco vs. South Bend-W
Even though they are a 2B team, South Bend look mighty formidable. Ilwaco may need a near-perfect game to come out on top.
W-Naselle @ Warrenton-L
The Comets need to show they can win on the road in a game that is not do-or-die, tonight is a good time to start.

Don't forget to check back Saturday for game recaps, a photo gallery from the game of the week and player posts

No comments: