The Comets prep for perhaps the biggest game of their regular season while Ilwaco heads to the field turf of Kalama
Game of the Week
Naselle vs. South Bend, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 24, Pentilla Field
For those of us who always look forward to the Naselle-South Bend game each year, it feels a little early in the season to be having such an important game. The last six years the game has taken place within a week of Halloween, but here we are the last Friday of September and both teams are facing perhaps their biggest game of the regular season. To say that a loss this early could greatly effect either teams chances of making the postseason may be a little premature. But to say that the winner would have a much easier task along the way wouldn't be a stretch at all.
The Comets (1-0, 3-0) have beaten South Bend (1-0, 2-1), the last three years — and as fate would have it, Naselle made the playoffs each of those years. In every case the game was a decider for both teams.
South Bend come into the game as the odds-on favorites to win the league. They are ranked 5th in the state in the first statewide AP poll of the year (Naselle is in a tie for 10th in the poll), despite having one loss, which came two weeks ago in a shootout with 1A Onalaska, 21-32. South Bend bounced back in a big way over league punching bag Ocosta, 35-0 last week. That being said, South Bend has already shut out the Valley Vikings (the other perennial league favorite) in week one. The visitors bring with them a mighty good offense to go with that stiff D.
They average 27 ppg on offense, led by QB Levi Bale. And just like the Naselle attack, in South Bend the QB is not really a passing position. While Bale has only thrown 3 for 19 for 52 yards this year, including a TD, he has ran for 236 yards and five TDs.
The Comets offense — might as well call it a ground game as they have only attempted 9 passes in three games — has been beyond productive, it's been downright dominant. In three games they have run for 1,061 yards (354 ave. per game).
And to say that fullback Robert Eaton is off to a good start would be an understatement. If you just look at the numbers thus far you'd easily put him in the race for league MVP — and who knows who long its been since you could say that about a fullback? In his first three games he's ran for a total of 363 yards (a 121 per game average) and 5 touchdowns. He's joined in the backfield by a pair of equally productive tailbacks — Leo Mendoza had 226 yards in two games before an injury last week, and Kai Leach has 265 yards in three games to go along with a pair of TDs. And according to a team source, Mendoza does plan to play Friday night.
The Comets biggest problem, and it could potentially be their downfall one of these nights if they can't get it squared away, is the turnovers, especially lost fumbles. Naselle has turned the ball over 16 times in three games.
Yes, 16 times.
In three games.
It's amazing the coaches have not burned holes through the top of their hats. And these aren't strips or interceptions, these are unassisted fumbles a lot of the time, which makes it that much more frustrating. There is no way they can continue to turn over the ball five times per game and expect to beat quality opponents like South Bend and Valley.
The X factor of the game? Due to a quirk in the schedule, Naselle is hosting the annual rivalry game for the second straight year. That doesn't mean that South Bend won't be packing their side of the stands (and all around the track and field) with as many of their crazy, loud, obnoxious fans as they can, so make sure to bring your loudest friends and relatives. Have a loudmouth cousin or nephew that doesn't want to drive? GO PICK THEM UP, they are needed!
Don't forget to check back Saturday for a game recap, photo gallery and player blog posts
Ilwaco @ Kalama, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 24
After a sobering loss at home last week to Stevenson, Ilwaco (0-1, 1-2) heads to Kalama where they hope four quarters on field turf will help them hold on to the ball better. Nine turnovers in three games (they had none in their win at Neah-Kah-nie too weeks ago) have really kept them from getting much going on offense — last week they turned the ball over twice when standing on the goal line alone. And while they have lost nine balls, they've come darn close to several more.
Ilwaco also had the unfortunate timing of running into a buzzsaw of a Stevenson team last week, which has yet to give up a point this year — the only team in the 1A division, and one of three teams in the state to be pitching a shutout three weeks in.
The Chinooks (1-0, 2-1) are one point away from being perfect this year — their lone loss coming at Hoqiuam two weeks ago, 21-22. They haven't had a ton of success in the way of offense, averaging 19 ppg, but their defense has been tough, giving up an average of 14 ppg, which includes holding Castle Rock to just six last week.
And while the Ilwaco offense could only muster 96 yards last week (and only 66 in week one), the defense has continued to hold strong. The Fishermen have given up 53 points in three games, putting them in the middle of the pack in the 1A division in points allowed (an ave. of 18 ppg).
The Fishermen have once again changed up the look of their offense, adding a lot of motion and movement by the backs, but couldn't seem to get it going consistently last week. It's a shame to see the offense stuttering, as they have guys who can do great things if they get on track. Josh Berteaux, for example, is a playmaker, plain and simple. Give him the ball as a back or a receiver and he'll make things happen. But, to their credit, they haven't given up. Look at the sidelines and you don't see heads hung low and bickering, you see guys out there hustling and trying to make plays till the buzzer sounds, and you gotta respect that. One of these nights that kind of effort will be rewarded again, just wait and see.
Pigskin Pick'em
1-1 last week after Ilwaco pulled a donut, 4-1 this year
L- Ilwaco @ Kalama
While the road was the answer last time in Rockaway Beach, I don't think the Fishermen wlll be as lucky on this road trip against a strong Kalama team.
W- Naselle vs. South Bend
If I could've picked a tie in this one I may have as I think this will be a real test for both these teams and will be a tight game to the final buzzer. But, home field trumps, so going with Naselle in a close one.
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