Week 4 recap - Ilwaco falls at home, Comets dominate on the road

**Sorry for the delay in getting this up on here today!

Ilwaco 9-Pe Ell 19
A pair of second half breakaway touchdowns by PeEll's 5-foot-7 halfback Lorenzo Avalos led the Trojans past Ilwaco 19-9 in a non-league football encounter at Peterson Field Friday. The Fishermen had taken the lead 7-6 midway through the second period and tacked on a safety following an errant center snap on a PeEll punt to go up 9-6 at intermission.
Avalos finished with 209 yards on 17 carries, nearly matching the Fishermen's 233 yards of total offense in 58 plays from scrimmage. Ilwaco is now 0-4, while PeEll is 2-2 and 0-2 in the Central 2B League.

Naselle 54-Raymond 8
Naselle drubbed Raymond 54-8 in both teams' Pacific 2B League opener Friday there. The Comets improved to 4-0 as they ran up 369 yards of offense, 322 of that on the ground. Jesus Martinez took the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown and the route was on.
Logan Scrabeck gained 161 yards rushing and scored three TD's and Jesus Martinez added two touchdowns. John Hines, Alan Erickson, Kai Leach and Robert Eaton each ran well for the Comets according to Coach Jeff Eaton. Chase Chapman had eight tackles and Austin Burkhalter and Chris Walkowiak each intercepted a pass and Ryley Queener earned praise for his defensive production, as well.
Naselle will host Valley next Friday at Reuben Penttila Field. Northwest Christian downed North Beach 34-14 to tie Valley and the Comets atop the Pacific. South Bend did not play a league contest Friday.

Naselle player posts - Week 4

Fact: Comets run wild in Raymond

Fact: We scored on the opening kickoff.
Fact: They scored on their opening drive.
Fact: They never scored again.
Fact: We scored on every possession.
Fact: We won 54 - 8
Fact: We play Valley at home next Friday.
Fact: YOU will be there.

For more indepth information read Mr. Heimbigner's article.

Austin Burkhalter, QB

Photo gallery - Fishermen can't hold lead, lose 10th straight

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Week 4 preview - 9/25

This week Ilwaco looks for their first win while Naselle begins league play with a perfect record.

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.

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

Week 3 recap - Comets pull out Bear River Battle win

Naselle 22 - Ilwaco 20
NASELLE - The Comets' Kai Leach blocked Christian Dekeyser of Ilwaco's 21-yard field goal attempt with 45 seconds remaining to give Naselle the Battle of Bear River 22-20 in Naselle Friday. The non-league game had more twists and turns than the road along Willapa Bay between the two schools and with more mistakes than a freshman term paper.

Neither team scored in the first period, although the Fishermen's innovative double-wing offense with no one away from the ball more than four yards yielded surprise, four first downs, but no points in the first quarter. Midway through the second period Leach, a freshman, blocked a punt and Naselle took over at the Ilwaco 20 yard line. Five plays later Logan Scrabeck cut back on an off-tackle play for a 10-yard touchdown jaunt and a 6-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff Leach again recovered the football, this time on Ilwaco's 35-yard stripe and five plays later quarterback Austin Burkhalter ran for a three-yard touchdown and then hit John Hines for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 advantage. Earlier in the initial quarter Scrabeck appeared to strip the Fishermen of the football and have clear sailing for a 45-yard TD, but the play was inadvertently whistled dead.

Read the full story HERE

Photo Gallery - Comets pull out win in 2009 Bear River Battle

Naselle 22-Ilwaco 20

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Week 3 preview - 9/18 — Bear River Battle

Local pride and bragging rights are on the line this week as the Ilwaco Fishermen travel to Naselle for the Bear River Battle
**Weather advisory — the forecast is calling for periodic rain showers in Naselle Friday night

Game of the Week

Ilwaco @ Naselle, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 18, Pentilla Field, Bear River Battle

For local fans and players this date has been circled on the calendar for months, the renewed rivalry game between Ilwaco and Naselle — the Bear River Battle. 

Last year the Ilwaco Fishermen (0-2) rewrote their playbook and turned QB Rey Sanchez into a superstar for the big game — 148 yards on the ground, another 158 through the air, and a total 5 touchdowns — in the 43-14 win for Ilwaco. Unfortunately for the Fishermen Sanchez will not be on the field Friday — and in fact Sanchez is out for  the entire season due to a neck injury suffered last spring. So far this season the Fishermen offense has been uneven in its results. In a week one loss at Winlock the Fishermen had a balanced attack, gaining 193 yards on the ground and 145 yards in the air. Last week however the Fishermen were shutout by South Bend 40-0 with Ilwaco gaining a mere 153 total yards. Once again the Fishermen have reportedly rearranged their playbook, as well as their back field for the game. With starting halfback Trevor Couch possibly out for the season with a shoulder injury Justin Short, the starting quarterback the first two games, has been moved to halfback, with 5-foot-5, 136-pound sophomore Josh Berteaux moving under center. Justin's brother Dylan has also reportedly been moved off the O-line into the tight end slot. 

The Naselle Comets (2-0) are coming off a dominant performance at Warrenton last Friday where they had five different players score touchdowns for them in a 34-6 win. And they may need all the variety they can get as a small handful of players (including some starters) are ineligible for the game Friday. So far this season the Comets defense has been impressive, giving up just three scores in their first two games while holding Warrenton and Wahkiakum to less than 300 combined total yards.

The Comets offense has been equally formidable, as they've scored 8 touchdowns while averaging 299 total yards per game. The running game has been particularly strong as the Comets are averaging 241 yards on the ground per game. QB Austin Burkhalter is looking more and more like his older brother each week as he is running more when he sees an open lane — to the tune of 92 yards last week.

The Comets are moving up in the polls too, as they are now fifth in the Tacoma News-Tribune's 2B state rankings. Also, in the first AP poll of the season, Naselle is ranked sixth in the state with 51 votes (just ahead of South Bend at seventh with 21 votes).

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

Pigskin Pick'em

Last week we went 2-0 with our picks, with Naselle winning and Ilwaco falling at home. We're now 3-1 on the year

L-Ilwaco @ Naselle-W

Changes to the lineups for both teams could make this game closer than the Comets like, but we see Naselle winning late.

Week 2 Naselle Player Posts

Warrenton feels the heat of the Comets

The Naselle Comets crossed the Columbia River to take on the Warrenton Warriors last night. The Warriors were whooping and hollering during warm ups but we were quiet and intently focused on our goal of win #2.

After the opening kickoff Warrenton was 3 and out. We started our offense with a big run by the Diesel. We finished the drive with a scoring strike to Marcos Herrera for our first score of the night. Leo Mendoza split the uprights for a 7-0 lead. Leo did an outstanding job kicking as he made every extra point and his kickoffs and punts were booming.

A misunderstanding at the end of the half led to Warrenton's only score of the night. Their quarterback could really scramble. We went in at halftime leading 14-6.

Our half time talk focused on executing our plays and staying on our blocks. We came out fired up and ready to put this one away. Once again we scored on our opening drive with a sweep to Nathan Carlson. Logan Scrabeck had a nice block taking out 2 Warriors to open a hole for Nathan. We went on to score 2 more times ending the game with a score of 34-6.

Next week we take on the Ilwaco Fishermen at our home field.
Hope to see you there.

Austin Burkhalter, QB,DB

Week 2 recaps - Fishermen flattened by South Bend, Comets crush Warrenton

Ilwaco-0 South Bend-40

ILWACO - South Bend scored two touchdowns in each of the first three periods on their way to victory over Ilwaco, 40-0, in a non-league football game at Peterson Field Friday. While South Bend ran 30 plays to Ilwaco's 53, they more than doubled the Fishermen in total offense, compiling 310 yards to 153 for the Fishermen.

South Bend scored on their third play from scrimmage, a 43 yard pass and later in the first quarter they scored on a 16 yard run to cap a four-play, 92-yard drive. In the second period South Bend scored on a 10 yard run following a fumble recovery at the Ilwaco 17. On the next drive the Fishermen defense forced a punt, Austin Wirkkala rambled 14 yards for a first down, and Ilwaco then went four plays, but a sack stopped their drive.

Read the full story HERE

Naselle-34 Warrenton-6

Naselle jumped out to a 14-6 halftime lead as five different players scored for the Comets en route to a crushing 34-6 victory at Warrenton Friday night.
“We played a lot of kids, and having so many guys who can score and play is turning into a pleasant problem,” Naselle coach Jeff Eaton said. “Some of the kids are wondering when their time will be, and it’ll be coming during the season.”
Naselle ran for 303 of its 345 yards, with Burkhalter carrying the ball eight times for 92 yards. Carlson also ran 12 times for 47. Defensively, the Comets held Warrenton to 150 yards, with Alan Erickson making 13 tackles. Mendoza knocked down three passes, and Carlson had four quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery.
Naselle is now 2-0 on the season and will host Ilwaco (0-2) next Friday in the Bear River Battle.

More details from this game will be added as they become available.

Photo Gallery - Ilwaco slammed by South Bend in home opener

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

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

KM Trophy in Naselle for first time since 1995

By KEVIN HEIMBIGNER

Observer sports writer

 

 NASELLE – Clinging to a 13-12 lead with less than five minutes to play Naselle mounted a 10-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to whip Wahkiakum 21-12 in the KM Trophy game Friday at Rueben Penttila Field. The Comets last defeated the football team from Cathlamet in 1995 when the present seniors were four years old and a few freshmen weren’t even born.

 

Coach Jeff Eaton remembers some of the players on that squad and Ilwaco coach Kevin McNulty, a Comets graduate, remembers how Naselle had been competitive with the Mules in the 1980s. “We beat them in overtime once when I was playing and we kicked them pretty good a few times in the mid-1980s,” McNulty states.

 Eaton says, “There were several times when we could have won, but barely lost.” In 1987 the Comets lost 20-19 in overtime when the Mules scored a touchdown and went for two and made the conversion after Naselle had taken a 19-12 lead. “We had several chances last year to beat (Wahkiakum), but fumbles stopped us and they took advantage of an injury late in the game to put it away 13-0,” Eaton says of 2008.

 So the life-size bronzed football sits atop the K-M trophy west of the mountain between Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties that it is named after and with Naselle’s name engraved on it for the first time in 14 seasons. McNulty remembers, “One year they were so confident that Cathlamet would win that they already had it engraved, but we beat them. That was nice.”

 And Sept. 18 a new rivalry, dubbed the Bear River Battle, will be staged in Naselle between the Comets and Ilwaco. The coaches are old friends and the Fishermen won in a landslide 43-14 last season, but this is a new year and anything could happen.

 In the meantime Naselle will visit Warrenton with the Columbia River at stake and Ilwaco will host South Bend with Willapa Bay as the prize. The weather is expected to be in the high 70s at the 7 p.m. kickoff time for both contests.

Week 1 Naselle player posts

Comets: KM Trophy In Naselle

This Friday, nearly every high school team had their season opener. I am sure they were nervous and excited. The first game is always exciting. But, its never easy to open the season with what half of the community would consider "the most important game of the season" especially when the game is non-league. The KM Trophy game has more riding on it than just a regular season opener. For generations, the battle for KM has raged in the Wahkiakum and Naselle Valleys. My dad, brothers, and friends all tell their stories about their shot at the KM Trophy. In recent years, the Mules of Wahkiakum have dominated the mountain. However, this year a new chapter has been engraved. For the first time since 1995, Naselle beat Wahkiakum and reclaimed the KM Trophy.

It all started August 19, the first day of practice. From the get-go we were thinking of Wahkiakum. "Naselle-Jacks" always ended with "Naselle beat Wahkiakum!" The coaches reminded us often of the opponent ahead of us, and we reminded ourselves. The intensity really kicked up this past week,MULE WEEK, as coach Eaton would say. Instead of saying, "Come on guys, get your head on straight!," all that needed to be said was, "It's Mule week, boys!" and everyone started focusing. Every player on our squad realized the importance of the game to the community, coaches, and ourselves.

Game day arrived quicker than expected, or so it seemed. During school, nervousness grew. At one point a group of friends were making signs and I left the room because I was too nervous. I am sure that others felt the same way. However, most of the nerves subsided when we ran out on the field. It was GAME TIME!

The game was well fought and hard hitting. Tyson Bain of Wahkiakum can lay down a hit! But in the end we came out on top! I was really impressed with the sophomore linemen. Most of these guys hadn't seen too much varsity time, but they really came together and blocked well. The first quarter was great. When Wahkiakum switched from an odd front to an even one, it took some time for the line to figure it out, but they did. I am excited to witness their growth throughout the season. Nathan Carlson and Logan Scrabeck ran well Friday night and Austin captained the team very well.

Defensively, Nathan Carlson and Robert Eaton were a force to be reckoned with at nose tackles. Manny Lopez and Nick Zimmerman did great at DE and Leo Mendoza and Ian Fauver attacked the edges at OLB. ILB Seth Scrabeck did a fine job and DBs Austin Burkhalter, Jesus Martinez, and Logan Scrabeck controlled the Mules air attack. We still have much to learn together. These next few non-league games will be pivotal this season. Win or lose these games, we need to learn to react faster, hit harder, and work together.

Its awesome to have the KM Trophy back in Naselle! Coach Eaton said after the game that "This one ranks right up there with Valley last year," and I would have to agree. We were the team to get the trophy back. I told the guys in the locker room after the game that this is a new era in Naselle football and that they need to keep the trophy home. I am sure they will do all they can!

Alan Erickson
Naselle LB FB
To God be the Glory

We Did It!

We had a mission last night to come home with the KM trophy for the first time in a very, very long time and we accomplished that mission. After taking a 13-0 lead after the first quarter we were feeling about as good as they were feeling stunned I think. A lot of players on the team spent a lot of time in the weight room over the summer and that payed off last night. I'll admit that I would've felt a little more at ease if we had scored after their first scoring drive to go into halftime still leading by two possessions, but sometimes it just doesn't work that way. A lot of players had a really good game. Alan, Austin, Logan, Nathan, and John combined rushed for around 178yds and 2 touchdowns. Our sophmore line did as good as we could have, I think. Austin deflected a key 2point conversion attempt, scored our first touchdown of the night with a 33 yard pass to Logan Scrabeck, and picked off a late pass in the 4th to put it away. Alan had a lot of key first downs that really helped us out, and led all rushers with 87yds. Nathan Carlson also had a touchdown in the first quarter that gave us a two-possession advantage. Where our defense really shown was on the d-line. Manuel "Manny" Lopez, Nick Zimmerman, Robert Eaton, and Nathan Carlson were in the backfield all night long. They really had an impact on the game. Besides one 45 yard run, we held them to only 79 yards of total offense all night. Thats some crazy comet football!! To their credit, the mules staged a comeback late in the game and scored 12 points. But, our D was able to hold on and keep them from adding any points after their touchdowns for the night. Even though we were winning, none of us could rest easy until John converted a two-point conversion with under a minute left. We won 21-12 and the KM trophy is OURS!!!!

We had a great crowd last night, and they always mean a lot to our team. I think a lot of credit should be given to our JV team that comes out for football everyday. Calvin Zimmerman, Jake Condon, Jesse Lopez, J.P. Cooley, Cody Larson, Dustin Eaton, Chandler Chapman, Chris Walkowiak, Carson Cooper, Levi Wasdmundt, Trevin Leeland, and all the other guys that scrimage the varsity every afternoon- you guys are awesome. You all are a huge part of the team, and our win last night was just as much yours as anybody else's.

Our new mission is beating the Warrenton Warriors next friday night on their field. Last year our varsity handled them 28-12. They are coming off of their own victory over the North Beach Hyaks (31-13).

Hoping to see a large crowd there,

NHS OL Ryley Queener

Week 1 recaps - Comets power to win, Fishermen fall on the road

Naselle 21-Wahkiakum 12
NASELLE - Clinging to a 13-12 lead with less than five minutes to play Naselle mounted a 10-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to whip Wahkiakum 21-12 in the battle of K-M Mountain Friday at Rueben Penttila Field. The Comets came out like they had the Mules still staked to the bus as they tallied two quick touchdowns and a 13-0 lead in the first period.
Wahkiakum scored on a break-away run in the second period and then blocked a punt that led to a second TD that closed the gap to 13-12 at the 5:10 mark of the final frame. For the second straight time the Wahkiakum boys' try for extra point was an errant pass off a fake kick.
It was then that the Comets, who had but one first down in the third period, got down to business. Fullback Alan Erickson bulled his way for 29 yards in four plays and quarterback Austin Burkhalter picked through the Wahkiakum defense for 32 yards in five carries, including a five-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds to play. Coach Jeff Eaton chose to have John Hines skirt right end for a two-point conversion giving the Comets a nine-point, two-score advantage at 21-12.

Read the full story HERE

Ilwaco 14-Winlock 26
The Cardinals ran the ball 59 times for 355 yards to top Ilwaco 26-14 in a rematch of last years season opener for both teams. The Cardinals capitalized on five fumbles by the Fishermen — four recovered — and as many penalties.
Trailing 20-14 Ilwaco blocked a Winlock punt deep in the Cardinal's territory with about six minutes to play. Instead of being able to capitalize with a tying or possibly winning score, the Fishermen could not control the bouncing football.
A Cardinal scooped up the pigskin and raced about 70 yards to make the score 26-14 in favor of Winlock and that's how the opening non-league football game ended according to coach Kevin McNulty.

Photo Gallery - Comets power their way to KM Trophy win

Power running game by Erickson, Burkhalter leads Comets to first KM Trophy win in over 20 years, 21-12


Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Week 1 Preview - 9/4/09

Ooooooh, it's that time again! After it's long winters nap (which included spring and most of summer), football season is back tonight, Friday, Sept. 4. After weeks of practice and drills the Comets and the Fishermen strap on the pads, pull on their helmets and hit the field. Welcome to Peninsula football 2009!

Game of the Week

Naselle vs. Wahkiakum, KM Trophy Game, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 4, Naselle High School
It's payback time for the Comets. Last year the Naselle football team traveled to Cathlamet to open their season against the rival Mules and got their tails handed to them. What's worse, it was their own fault. The Comets gave up 6 turnovers in the 13-0 loss, including one on the opening kick-off that led to the Mules first score four plays later.
The Comets came back to win their next game, 28-12 over Warrenton (who they play in game two this year as well), but it would take the Comets till the last few weeks of the season to get on track — and boy did they ever, running off five wins in a row on their way to a third place finish in the state playoffs.
This year the Comets come into the annual KM Trophy game ranked in the top 10 in the state (#8 by the Tacoma News Tribune and #10 in an online coaches poll). But Naselle will be a different team this year, having graduated several key players including a real piece of the heart and soul of the team, Nick Hines, as well as all-state LB Mike Shirley, the big front line of Marcus Sanchez and Tommy Rose and RB/DB Tony "the Cheetah" Fletcher.
But the Comets are still stacked, especially in a running game that will include Logan Scrabeck, Nate Carlson and freshman Kai Leach (who tore up the field for his undefeated 8th grade team last year) at halfback, Alan Erickson at full back and Austin Burkhalter back for his second year at QB.

The Wahkiakum Mules had an up and down 2008 season, going 5-5 by winning their first two and losing their final two, including a 50-20 drubbing in the season finale with Mossyrock.

Ilwaco @ Winlock, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 4, Winlock High School

The Ilwaco Fishermen are looking for a little payback themselves after falling by one point in last years season opener with Winlock, 27-28. The Cardinals would win their second game as well but would go on to lose their next seven games (including a 0-54 blowout at the hands of Montesano in the season finale) to go 2-7 on the year.

For Ilwaco, last year was somewhat similar — dropping their first two, winning the next two in blowout fashion, then dropping their last six to finish the year 2-8.

The Fishermen have a young team this year with only a handful of starters returning from last season. They will also likely be without quarterback Rey Sanchez — last years leading passer and rusher — due to a neck injury suffered in a spring game with Naselle, for at least the first few games. Last year's leading receiver Justin Short will start the season behind center for the Fishermen. Ilwaco will have a number of players moving to new or different positions from last season, as well as adding some new faces.

Pigskin Pick'em

A new feature we're going to try this year is a pick'em of each week's prep games. We'll keep track throughout the year and see how our guesses match those of the actual results — all for fun of course.

W-Ilwaco @ Winlock-L

Even with Sanchez out, you gotta think that the Fishermen are going to come out fired up for this game, win for Ilwaco — even though it might be close.

L-Wahkiakum @ Naselle-W

I think the Comets feel that they have a thing or two to prove this year, and I think they'll start doing that right out of the gate with a sound victory over their rival.

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