Game of the Week
Naselle vs. Warrenton, Ore., 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 10, Pentilla Field, Naselle
Pretty much anyone on the Naselle (1-0, 0-0) sideline last week would tell you the same two things — it was a sloppy, ugly win ... but it was still a win. Call it opening night miscues, blame the slippery weather, but the Comets did show some dominance in their shutout victory over rival Ilwaco (0-1, 0-0), 24-0. While both teams were fumble-happy, stalling the offense at times, the Naselle defense looked great for the majority of the game. The offense looked young, but hey, they are. Some of these guys are getting their first real shot at being starters.
For the third year in a row Naselle faces Warrenton, Ore. (1-0, 0-0), in a non-league contest, the Comets having come out on top the two previous years. Last week the Warriors traveled to Raymond where they won 32-13. And while, for the last few years at least, it seems everyone runs up the score on Raymond, the Warriors did so with a pretty balanced attack. Justin Sleutel scored two touchdowns for the Warriors, and running back Benjo Musa made his Warrenton debut with 135 yards rushing and a touchdown on just 15 carries. Senior quarterback Thomas McFadden passed for 113 yards and three touchdowns, and intercepted three passes on defense. Warrenton recovered three Raymond fumbles.
Naselle rarely faces a team that can put up near-equal numbers in the air and on the ground. Last year the team who had bona fide success through the air was a game the Comets would like to forget — last year against Tacoma Baptist in the first round of the state playoffs. But in their three of their last four games the Comets have held their opponent to 0 passing/receiving yards.
Don't forget to check back Saturday for a game recap, photo gallery and player blog posts
Ilwaco @ Neah-Kah-Nie, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 10, Rockaway Beach, Ore.
It's easy to say that things could not have gone much worse for the Fishermen (0-1, 0-0) last week in their shutout loss to Naselle. What's harder to say, or quantify, is why.
With time to prepare for the double-wing offense that Ilwaco primarily runs, the Naselle defense held IHS to just 66 total yards of offense and only 5 first downs — though two of those came on penalties. The Fishermen haven't won a game in nearly two years — their last win coming on the road , Sept. 27, 2008 against Evergreen Lutheran.
So what is wrong with the Fishermen? Well, for starters, the team looked out of sorts running the offense that they have used now for the last 8 games — plus during a spring game and at Camp Rilea summer camp. I know there has been a system-wide shift from varsity down to the junior high team to run the double-wing — even apparently bringing in a "master" of the scheme to help — but it just doesn't seem to be working. In running it last year they never scored more than 22 points in a game. Coach McNulty has been a creative designer in terms of offensive surprises. Perhaps it's time to pull another rabbit out of the hat in order to get some consistency out of the squad? Or are they just coming into their own with it?
Ilwaco will be on the road this week at Rockaway Beach, Ore., to face 2A Neah-Kah-Nie (0-1, 0-0). The Pirates opened their season last week by losing a 0-46 game to 3A Toledo/Eddyville, a new combination team of two small schools. The Pirates went 5-4 last season by going big either way — when they won it was a blowout, when they lost, the same. But the Pirates may be a team on somewhat of a rise, as last year was their first winning season in the last 6 years. In fact, from 2004-08 the Pirates were a combined 7-39.
The Fishermen defense was not that bad last week. If the offense can show some life and consistency while the defense remains stout, they may have their best chance of winning a game this year. If not, it may end up being three years between victories for Ilwaco, as the league schedule is not for the weak of heart. In fact, all of the other Trico teams, save for Columbia of White Salmon and Toledo, won last week.
Pigskin Pick'em
Well, looks like I was off on the TD count last week, but still racked up a win, 1-0 so far this year
W- Ilwaco @ Neah-Kah-Nie
By far their best chance at a win this year. I say the Fishermen come in with some added fire after last week (and hopefully a little more organization on offense) and can squeak one out.
W- Naselle vs. Warrenton
Home opener for NHS, a week of practice to sharpen up and a team they've beat easily the last two years equals another win for the young Comets.
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