Game of the Week
Ilwaco @ Naselle, 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 2, Pentilla Field, Naselle, The Bear River Battle
Last year The Bear River Battle was more like the Bear River butt kicking, as the Comets traveled to Ilwaco and handed the Fishermen a 24-0 shutout. The Comets gained 324 yards while holding the Fishermen to just 60 total for the game. It was also a sloppy game, with a combined 9 turnovers and 13 penalties by the two teams.
So what's different this year? Well, for one, the Fishermen should be more capable on offense as they have added speed and quickness. Senior Josh Berteaux will once again be getting snaps at the QB position, most likely when the Fishermen are in wildcat and option formations. Berteaux can throw, but is coming back from a shoulder injury acquired during summer wrestling camp. When Ilwaco wants to throw the ball they will most likely turn to sophomore Eric McMillan, who started six games last year. Senior Matt Wood will likely play fullback, leading the way for running backs Justice Schenk and Nick Hinojosa. WR's Brandon Malmsteadt and Edgar Galvan will give them speed on the outside. The Ilwaco line, on both sides of the ball, is their biggest concern. Senior Elliot Marcus leads the group at right guard. Marcus has trimmed down over the last year and has traded size for quickness.
But what happens when a fast sports car hits a brick wall? That's essentially what the Comets line is going to look like — a big, strong brick wall. The Comets spent their whole summer in the weight room, and they are huge. Couple that with a new five on the line defensive formation that is designed to control the line of scrimmage and move it in the opposite direction. But with all the size in the front, if the opposing teams line can hold long enough for the QB to throw, the Comets one potential weakness on defense may be exploitable — their undersized secondary. Chris Walkowiak and Sam Scrabeck (both will get a ton of carries at running back) will have no trouble keeping up with receivers, but a lack of height could cost them on jump balls.
Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Comets, and it's one that could turn the tables either way, is senior lineman Ryley Queener. He's tall, he's strong, he's built...and he's got a torn ACL. He injured himself early this summer and elected not to have surgery, and instead will be wearing a brace on his affected knee. As of now he's looking good, but in a game all kinds of crazy things can go wrong, so he has to be careful.
On offense the Comets are going to run, run, and probably run some more, though QB Dustin Eaton showed last year that he has a good arm, and back up QB Sam Scrabeck has what looks to be a nice touch on his throws. Robert Eaton was off to a potential MVP season last year at fullback, before being injured in their loss to Valley. He's back this year, and has bulked up in the weight room. That big D-line for the Comets will also being pushing people around at will on the offensive side of the ball too.
For the Fishermen on defense, essentially the same group that powers their offense will also be a strength on D, with Berteaux, Schenk, Malmstedt and Galvan rounding out their secondary. And this being as much a rivalry between the two coaches as much as between the two teams, you can be sure that there will be some chicanery and trickeration involved — my personal favorite was two years ago the Fishermen arrived five minutes before the game starts, having done their pregame warmups at their home field. Ilwaco has also switched up their offense just for the Naselle game a couple times, including a big win three years ago.
Last year stats of note
Naselle
Record: 7-2, the two losses coming in back to back weeks at home to South Bend and Valley. The Comets were 5-0 on the road last season.
PPG: The Comets averaged 24.8 points per game, and allowed an average of 12.2 ppg
Ilwaco
Record: 1-8, The Fishermen won only once last season, an impressive 34-6 win at Neah-Kah-Nie, breaking a nearly two season losing streak.
PPG: Ilwaco scored only 72 points last year, for an average of 8 ppg. They allowed 40 points or more five times and were shutout four times.
But what happens when a fast sports car hits a brick wall? That's essentially what the Comets line is going to look like — a big, strong brick wall. The Comets spent their whole summer in the weight room, and they are huge. Couple that with a new five on the line defensive formation that is designed to control the line of scrimmage and move it in the opposite direction. But with all the size in the front, if the opposing teams line can hold long enough for the QB to throw, the Comets one potential weakness on defense may be exploitable — their undersized secondary. Chris Walkowiak and Sam Scrabeck (both will get a ton of carries at running back) will have no trouble keeping up with receivers, but a lack of height could cost them on jump balls.
Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Comets, and it's one that could turn the tables either way, is senior lineman Ryley Queener. He's tall, he's strong, he's built...and he's got a torn ACL. He injured himself early this summer and elected not to have surgery, and instead will be wearing a brace on his affected knee. As of now he's looking good, but in a game all kinds of crazy things can go wrong, so he has to be careful.
On offense the Comets are going to run, run, and probably run some more, though QB Dustin Eaton showed last year that he has a good arm, and back up QB Sam Scrabeck has what looks to be a nice touch on his throws. Robert Eaton was off to a potential MVP season last year at fullback, before being injured in their loss to Valley. He's back this year, and has bulked up in the weight room. That big D-line for the Comets will also being pushing people around at will on the offensive side of the ball too.
For the Fishermen on defense, essentially the same group that powers their offense will also be a strength on D, with Berteaux, Schenk, Malmstedt and Galvan rounding out their secondary. And this being as much a rivalry between the two coaches as much as between the two teams, you can be sure that there will be some chicanery and trickeration involved — my personal favorite was two years ago the Fishermen arrived five minutes before the game starts, having done their pregame warmups at their home field. Ilwaco has also switched up their offense just for the Naselle game a couple times, including a big win three years ago.
Last year stats of note
Naselle
Record: 7-2, the two losses coming in back to back weeks at home to South Bend and Valley. The Comets were 5-0 on the road last season.
PPG: The Comets averaged 24.8 points per game, and allowed an average of 12.2 ppg
Ilwaco
Record: 1-8, The Fishermen won only once last season, an impressive 34-6 win at Neah-Kah-Nie, breaking a nearly two season losing streak.
PPG: Ilwaco scored only 72 points last year, for an average of 8 ppg. They allowed 40 points or more five times and were shutout four times.
Don't forget to check back Saturday for a game recap and photo gallery
Pigskin Pick'em
After going 14-5 in predictions in 2009, last year saw a bit of a drop off with a 11-7 record in predictions. Time to polish up the crystal ball and give it another go.
Ilwaco @ Naselle-W
We love this game every year, but the gap between these two teams is pretty noticeable. If Naselle does what they're capable of this one could be over early.
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