Game of the Week
Naselle vs. Seattle Lutheran, 2 pm, Saturday, Oct. 17, Pentilla Field
I think the song goes something along the lines of, "If you don't know me by now, you will never, never, never know me..." The Naselle Comets (5-1, 2-1) go into their game Saturday afternoon with the Seattle Lutheran Saints (2-3) for their fourth match-up in the last three years. The Comets have blown out the Saints in the first round of the state playoffs each of the last two years (by a combined score of 76-14), but lost a regular season game to them last year by a mere three points. But while Seattle Lutheran has tasted the postseason the last two years, they aren't looking quite as good this time around.
The Saints come into the game following a straight up beat down at the hands of Friday Harbor last week, 0-56. Their offense has been erratic thus far, in two of their games they have managed less then 7 points, while in the other three they have scored in the 20s. Meanwhile their defense is giving up an average of 24 ppg.
The Comets however got back to full strength last week, as the players who had been suspended the last few games returned — and it showed. The Comets rolled NW Christian 47-14 with 6 different players scoring. Burkhalter had one of his best games passing, going 5-for-8 for 111 yards and a TD toss, while running for two more TDs. And the Comets seem to have a bit of a secret weapon on special teams this year as Jesus Martinez returned a punt for a TD — his fourth kick return for a TD in six games.
Despite the loss to Valley two weeks ago the Comets could be thanking the Vikings after they took down South Bend last week 13-21 (South Bend had beaten Valley in week one, 20-7 in a non-league game). The loss puts Naselle in solid control of second place in the Pacific League at 2-1, one game behind Valley at 3-0 and a half game up on South Bend, Ocosta and North Beach, all 1-1 in league. Valley will undoubtedly win out, as their last four games are with teams that are collectively 2-20 on the season. It is highly unlikely that the Comets would fall to either Ocosta or North Beach at this point — the Hyaks only win this season came at the expense of the much maligned Raymond Gulls last week, while Ocosta's three wins have come over teams that are a combined 1-15 on the year. South Bend face a similar scenario as the only remaining game of any likely challenge will come against Naselle on Oct. 30 and will most likely decide second place in the league and give the winner an automatic bid to the postseason. Would you expect anything less from a Naselle-South Bend match-up?
Saturday's game has a few side-attractions to it also. For one, it's a rare Saturday afternoon home game for Naselle (if someone knows the last time Naselle hosted a Saturday afternoon game I'd love to know). Yeah, it's all about Friday Night Lights (or in OUR case, Friday Nights SIGHTS) but the Comets have played well during the day — 3-1 in the last two years. Saturday is also the Homecoming game for Naselle, with the crowning of the king and queen at halftime. Another possible important note to mention — the National Weather Service has put out an advisory for heavy local rainfall on Friday and Saturday — predicted 2-5 inches in the Willapa Hills — so bring your umbrella!
**Another note worth mentioning, the photo retrospective by Observer photographer Damian Mulinix of the Comets historic season last year took first place in Best Online Gallery in the 2009 Better Newspaper Contest by the WNPA earlier this month. The judges sheet had this to say: "Wow, the thought, time and energy that went into this piece is just mind-blowing. The subject matter is great and the photos are fantastic!"
You can view it HERE if you like
Don't forget to check back Sunday for a game recap, photo gallery and player posts
Ilwaco @ LaCenter, 7 pm, Friday, Oct. 16, LaCenter High School
What is turning out to be a long season for the Ilwaco Fishermen (0-6, 0-2) continues this week with a trip to LaCenter (4-2, 2-0) to face the Trico League-leading Wildcats.
The Wildcats can boast of not only a tie for the best record in the league with Castle Rock, but also the best overall numbers in a high-scoring league — not a good sign for the Fishermen, who have given up a league-worst 184 points in six games (31 ppg). And while the Wildcats are averaging a Trico-best 29 ppg, the Fishermen have scored the fewest points in the league thus far — 70 points, an average of 12 ppg.
LaCenter comes into the game having doubled-up Columbia of White Salmon last week, 50-28, and the Wildcats are a mere 4 points away from a perfect season, losing one game by a field goal and another by one point.
But perhaps one X-factor that the Fishermen could look to is the possibility that LaCenter might already be thinking about their match-up next week with Castle Rock to decide first place in the league and perhaps overlook the Fishermen. If the Fishermen bring their A game — like they did against Naselle earlier this year — and control the field position with a clock-eating running game, this could have trap game written all over it.
Pigskin Pick'em
Right-e-o again last week. We're now 7-4 on the year
W- Naselle vs. Seattle Lutheran
From here on out I think we see why the Comets were third at state last year, big win for homecoming.
L- Ilwaco @ LaCenter
Maybe the Fishermen can catch a break or two and the Wildcats look past them to make it close.
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