Game of the Week
Ilwaco vs. Pe Ell, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 25, Patterson Field
The Ilwaco Fishermen came oooooooh so close last week in the Bear River Battle with Naselle. A blocked field goal try with less than a minute to go was the difference in a grind-it-out game between local rivals. This week the tough Fishermen (0-3) schedule gives them a break as they play host to the Trojans (1-2) from the speed trap known as Pe Ell. The Trojans come into the game having been shutout their last two, losing 0-6 to Mossyrock last week and 0-48 to state ranked Adna the week before. The Trojans did win in week one, 18-6 at NW Christian.
Last week the Fishermen came into the game with a new-look offense — an all-for-one style that chews up yardage and the clock with a lot of hand-offs to the fullback. It also saw sophomore Josh Berteaux getting equal time behind center with Justin Short. The offense mixed it up a little, but mostly what we saw was when Berteaux was at QB he was either giving an inside hand-off to either FB Tyler Starks or pitching it outside to Short at halfback. When Short lined up under center he was mostly keeping it himself on a QB option to the outside, or throwing the occasional pass.
The Fishermen also brought a bit of gamesmanship to the proceedings last week, as they practiced and warmed up at their home stadium before traveling up the valley. They arrived about five minutes before game time and finished dressing next to their bus. They then walked silently single file into the stadium. We'll see if coach McNulty has any tricks up his sleeve to try and psyche out the Trojans this week.
Don't forget to check back Saturday for a game recap, a photo gallery from the game and player posts
Naselle @ Raymond, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 25
The Naselle Comets (3-0) are on the road again this week — their schedule has them alternating home and away dates each Friday this season — for their Pacific League opener against the Raymond Gulls (0-3). The Comets played a particularly uninspiring game on offense last week against Ilwaco. However, their defense rose to the challenge in the end, just in time to block a potential game-winning field goal. The Comets offense was minimal, as they gained only 96 total yards from scrimmage. In fact, even that doesn't tell the whole story, as Jesus Martinez returned a kick-off 81 yards for the game-winning TD. Once again the Naselle defense was stiff, especially after figuring out the Ilwaco offensive scheme, holding them to just 180 total yards — the Comets are yet to give up 200 total yards in a game this season. Once again the Comets will be looking to spread the ball around as they are still without a handful of suspended players again this week.
But it looks like the Raymond Gulls may be the answer to their offensive woes — at least for a week. The Gulls have given up an average of 46 points per game this season, including 50 or more the last two weeks while averaging just 7 points per game themselves. This may be just the tune-up the Comets need before hosting the Valley Vikings next week.
Naselle remains 6th in the state AP poll with 32 votes (down from 51 votes last week), still just ahead of South Bend, who are now tied for 7th with Tacoma Baptist. Sneaking in at number 10 this week is the team the Comets beat in week one, Wahkiakum. The Comets moved up into 4th place in state in the Tacoma News Tribune's weekly rankings.
Pigskin Pick'em
Last week we called it exactly, saying that it would be close but Naselle would pull it out late. We're now 4-1 on the year
W-Ilwaco vs. Pe Ell
This is a great opportunity for the Fishermen to get their first win of the year, we think they'll cash in.
W- Naselle @ Raymond
Even without all their players the Comets are a formidable team, especially on defense. And against a team like the Gulls it could mean blowout.
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