Week 4 recap - NHS can't catch up to South Bend, 14-6

By KEVIN HEIMBIGNER
Observer staff writer
NASELLE - A pair of touchdown passes and a stingy South Bend defense gave the Indians a 14-6 victory over the Comets Friday in a Pacific 2B showdown for league supremacy. "We didn't respond very well to down-and-distance situations and our pass rush wasn't there when we needed it," a disappointed Coach Jeff Eaton said.
"I'm proud of our effort and we were able to smash their veer offense, but they connected on key plays that we should have responded to better." Naselle had been averaging over 360 yards per game on the ground, but the Indians held them to 123 yards rushing in 38 attempts.
Naselle's only turnover of the game, a fumble on their 13 yard line, led to a 12-yard pass for touchdown with 1:13 remaining in the first half. The Comets were able to recover four South Bend fumbles and time and again turn the speedy Indians away from the end zone.
However, a potential Naselle touchdown pass was overthrown mid-way through the third quarter and South Bend took over possession of the football on downs. The Indians were able to put together a 12-play, 75-yard drive that overcame three penalties to score their second touchdown and take a 14-0 lead with 9:24 remaining in the contest.
The Comets finally crossed the goal line with 41 seconds remaining when Dustin Eaton found Leo Mendoza on a 25-yard pass play near the right sideline. The run failed and the ensuing on-side kick skittered out of bounds giving the Indians the victory.
Naselle is now 3-1 and 1-1 in the Pacific, while South Bend improves to 3-1, but is 2-0 in league play.