Game of the Week
Naselle vs. Valley, 7 pm, Friday, Oct. 3, Pentilla Field
As coach Eaton told the guys before their last home game, "We got the blue uniforms tonight and haven't lost in the blue uni's in a long time." That's true, the last time they lost at home was Sept. 28, 2007 — to Valley, 0-7 (nine homes games ago). But guess whose coming to dinner this week?
The Naselle Comets (4-0, 1-0) were undermanned again last week ... but they sure didn't play like it. The Comets put up a whopping 54 points on the Raymond Gulls (0-4, 0-1) in their Pacific League opener last Friday night. To put that into some perspective, the Comets have not scored that many points in a game since beating NWC 54-6 on Oct. 6, 2006. Logan Scrabeck had a huge game, running for 161 yards and three touchdowns. And once again the defense was the star, holding the Gulls to one touchdown, which was scored on Raymond's first possession of the game.
This week will likely be completely different in terms of competition as the defending Pacific League champ Valley Vikings (3-1, 1-0) come to town. Last year the Vikings took down Naselle 21-6 in their week 5 match-up. The Comets would have their revenge though, taking down the undefeated Vikings 28-24 in the state quarterfinals. The Vikings have however beaten Naselle their last five regular season meetings.
Valley comes into the game having beat Ocosta 27-0 in their league opener. The Vikings lost their season opener 7-20 to South Bend (who lost last week 20-34 at Tacoma Baptist) in a non-league game. The Vikings are averaging 25 ppg thus far, and while the Comets defense has been stingy, the Valley defense has been downright stifling, giving up just 26 points through four games, including two shutouts (7 points allowed per game average). Of course your numbers always look better when you beat up on three teams with a combined 4-8 record. Though Naselle hasn't had much of a test yet either as their four wins have come against teams with a combined record of 5-11 — including two 0-4 teams).
The Comets are averaging 33 ppg — though that number is skewed some by their high output against a weak Raymond defense last Friday. Prior to the Raymond game they were averaging 26 ppg. The defense is still giving up less then 2 touchdowns per game (12 ppg) and have yet to give up more than 200 yards in a single game.
The Comets will be undermanned again this week as their five suspended players sit out the final week of their suspension — they will be eligible to play next week.
The Comets held steady at 6th place in the state AP football rankings for the third straight week (34 votes). South Bend fell to ninth after losing last week to 7th ranked Tacoma Baptist. The Comets remained in 4th place in the Tacoma News Tribune weekly rankings.
**Unfortunately there will be no photos from this week's game of the week as Observer photojournalist Damian Mulinix will be in Olympia that night at the annual WNPA awards ceremony
Don't forget to check back Saturday for a game recap and player posts
Ilwaco vs. Kalama, 7 pm, Friday, Oct. 3, Patterson Field
After looking good in the first half of last week's game with Pe Ell, the Ilwaco Fishermen (0-4) gave up two long touchdowns in the second half to fall to Pe Ell 9-19. The Fishermen are hoping to end their 10 game losing streak — dating back to last year — in their Trico League opener tonight with the Kalama Chinooks (1-3).
The Chinooks come into the game having lost last week as well, 14-40 at Rainier, Ore. The Chinooks are giving up a considerable 33 ppg and haven't given up less than three touchdowns in any of their games. Meanwhile the offense is only managing 12 ppg.
The Fishermen offense isn't any better, as they are averaging just 11 ppg thus far. The Ilwaco defense has been porous at times as well, giving up 27 ppg. All in all it looks like the two teams are fairly evenly matched. Maybe the home field and some good old Ilwaco weather will help tip the scales for the Fishermen?
Pigskin Pick'em
Once again last week we called it exactly for Naselle in a blowout win, but were wrong in predicting a first win for Ilwaco. We're now 5-2 on the year
W-Ilwaco vs. Kalama
Another great opportunity for the Fishermen to get their first win of the year, though it will be a close game.
W- Naselle vs. Valley
Gave this one a lot of thought. While I wish Naselle had all their players back I have a hard time picking against them at home. While I think it will be a razor thin margin, I can't pick against the Comets at home.
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