Game of the Week
Ilwaco vs. Naselle, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 3, Peterson Field, Ilwaco, The Bear River Battle
Just because it is the first game of the 2010 football season, don't think that this game has not been on the minds of the FIshermen and Comets players for months. In fact, for Ilwaco it's probably been rolling around in their heads for the last year, thinking and what could have been.
After having blasted the Comets the previous year 43-14 with a surprise offensive twist, the Fishermen came to Naselle last September with another trick up their sleeve. Following a string of injuries that changed the complexion of the team, coach McNulty went to Plan B and within a week had the team adopt a double-wing offense that clogs the line with players, forgoes receivers (save for two tight ends) and eats up the clock masterfully. The Naselle defense, which thrives in a scenario where the players can run down QBs and running backs, were caught flat footed and nearly lost the game. The Fishermen have also brought a sense of theater and drama to the game with a nod to gamesmanship. Two years ago the Fishermen switched sidelines for the first time in memory, placing the away team Comets right in front of the Peterson Field faithful (they have kept this sideline choice since). Last year the Fishermen chose to do their pre-game stretches and workouts at their home field before taking a bus to Naselle, where they arrived literally minutes before game time and finished dressing in the NHS parking lot.
In the end the Comets athleticism won out, with a fantastic play by then-freshman Kai Leach to block a last second field goal try to win the game 22-20. Naselle would go on to make the state playoffs for the third-straight year. Ilwaco would not get within 10 points of an opponent the rest of the season, finishing 0-9.
This years contest could prove to be equally close. The Comets come in with high expectations but a decidedly younger team than they have fielded during their run of success the last three years. But what they lack in age (only two seniors) they may make up for in talent and savvy. As always with a Naselle team, it's run first, run second, run third, maybe pass fourth in terms of how their offense is put together. So anyone thinking that having a sophomore QB will be a detriment to the Comets should know that as long as young Dustin Eaton can cleanly handoff the ball and not hang his backs out to dry with a poor pitch on the option they'll be just fine. The Naselle offense has not been a tough one for the QB to handle, except two years ago when running back Nick Hines ran about half the plays out of a "wildcat" formation. Word has it that coach Eaton may be looking to employ the exciting offense again this year with senior running back Leo Mendoza in the run/pass position. Maybe its the Comets turn to throw a little trickeration into the game this year?
According to coach McNulty the Fishermen will once again be running the double wing primarily, trying to run time off the clock and keep the scoring low. This works if you can match your efforts on the defensive side and keep the other team from scoring much. But unfortunately for the Fishermen, after switching to the double-wing in week three last year they were outscored 249-104 the rest of the season. One wild card for the Fishermen could well be the wildcat, which they ran on occasion last year with running back Josh Berteaux lining up in the run/pass mode. Heck, it may turn out to be pretty exciting if both teams ran the wildcat and put the ball in the endzone regularly.
After having blasted the Comets the previous year 43-14 with a surprise offensive twist, the Fishermen came to Naselle last September with another trick up their sleeve. Following a string of injuries that changed the complexion of the team, coach McNulty went to Plan B and within a week had the team adopt a double-wing offense that clogs the line with players, forgoes receivers (save for two tight ends) and eats up the clock masterfully. The Naselle defense, which thrives in a scenario where the players can run down QBs and running backs, were caught flat footed and nearly lost the game. The Fishermen have also brought a sense of theater and drama to the game with a nod to gamesmanship. Two years ago the Fishermen switched sidelines for the first time in memory, placing the away team Comets right in front of the Peterson Field faithful (they have kept this sideline choice since). Last year the Fishermen chose to do their pre-game stretches and workouts at their home field before taking a bus to Naselle, where they arrived literally minutes before game time and finished dressing in the NHS parking lot.
In the end the Comets athleticism won out, with a fantastic play by then-freshman Kai Leach to block a last second field goal try to win the game 22-20. Naselle would go on to make the state playoffs for the third-straight year. Ilwaco would not get within 10 points of an opponent the rest of the season, finishing 0-9.
This years contest could prove to be equally close. The Comets come in with high expectations but a decidedly younger team than they have fielded during their run of success the last three years. But what they lack in age (only two seniors) they may make up for in talent and savvy. As always with a Naselle team, it's run first, run second, run third, maybe pass fourth in terms of how their offense is put together. So anyone thinking that having a sophomore QB will be a detriment to the Comets should know that as long as young Dustin Eaton can cleanly handoff the ball and not hang his backs out to dry with a poor pitch on the option they'll be just fine. The Naselle offense has not been a tough one for the QB to handle, except two years ago when running back Nick Hines ran about half the plays out of a "wildcat" formation. Word has it that coach Eaton may be looking to employ the exciting offense again this year with senior running back Leo Mendoza in the run/pass position. Maybe its the Comets turn to throw a little trickeration into the game this year?
According to coach McNulty the Fishermen will once again be running the double wing primarily, trying to run time off the clock and keep the scoring low. This works if you can match your efforts on the defensive side and keep the other team from scoring much. But unfortunately for the Fishermen, after switching to the double-wing in week three last year they were outscored 249-104 the rest of the season. One wild card for the Fishermen could well be the wildcat, which they ran on occasion last year with running back Josh Berteaux lining up in the run/pass mode. Heck, it may turn out to be pretty exciting if both teams ran the wildcat and put the ball in the endzone regularly.
Don't forget to check back Saturday for a game recap and photo gallery
Pigskin Pick'em
After a hot start to this game last year (going 14-5 in predictions) we're back with our favorite game of the year.
L-Ilwaco vs Naselle-W
If the Ilwaco defense can keep the young Comets from running wild they may be able to "double wing" their way to victory. I have my doubts, but still see this as around a one touchdown difference game
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