Photo gallery - NHS can't keep up with Valley

Week 4 game previews

Naselle celebrates homecoming with perhaps their biggest game of the year, while the Fishermen are off the Toledo after a schizo couple of weeks

Naselle vs. Valley, Friday, 7 p.m., Pentilla Field, Naselle, HOMECOMING GAME
The Comets have pretty much done everything you're supposed to do early in the season — win the close ones and blow out the easy ones. And with a win on Friday maybe they'll also win a little respect as well.
Naselle is ranked seventh in the News-Tribune computer rankings this week (Valley is ranked second, closely behind first place Morton/White Pass). Meanwhile, neither team is ranked on the Daily News' AP ballot this week — they instead ranked a 1-2 Raymond squad No. 5 in the state? Makes you wonder what the guys over at the Snooze are thinking, right?
Despite being still very early in the season, it's not too much of a stretch to say that the winner of Fridays game will have a decided edge on the league title. Both teams come in with identical 3-0 records, 1-0 in the Pacific. They also come in with with nearly identical numbers — NHS: 35 ppg, 11 papg, VHS: 41 ppg, 9 papg — which would certainly back up Valley as no. 2 and NHS as No. 7
The Vikings have a two-pronged running attack featuring Cody Buchanan and David Rockett — both of whom ran for more than 100 yards last week and multiple TDs. And while that is daunting, its really the only shell in their canon. The Vikings starting QB is just 3-13 passing for 69 yards total in three games — but it's Valley, so you would probably expect as much.
On the Comets side of the ball, you have one of the most diverse offenses on this side of the state. We all know about Dustin Eaton's gaudy numbers — 945 total yards and 12 TDs in three games — but you also have a WR duo of Brendan Greenfield, 340 yds and 3 TDs; and Chandler Chapman, 127 yds and 3 TDs; and of course "Slippery" Sam Scrabeck with 243 yards on the ground and a score. With all this offense from both teams its not a stretch to predict that it will come down to whoever has the stiffest defense will be coming away with the win.
And even though this is only week four, with so few away games this season, the Comets will celebrate Homecoming Friday. Scrabeck, Chapman, Eaton and Levi Wasmundt will be spending halftime as homecoming princes.

Check back Saturday for a photo gallery and game recap

Ilwaco @ Toledo, Friday, 7 p.m.

The Fishermen have seen the highest highs (week two 66-28 win), as well as the lowest lows (56-6 week 1 loss, 31-2 week three loss) this season. Unfortunately, visiting 5th ranked Toledo Friday will likely have them well on the low side of things once again.

Toledo comes into the game 2-1, having given up the third fewest points in the state, just 18 in three games. They're no slouches on offense either, averaging 34 ppg. 

Ilwaco is averaging 25 ppg, thanks to the 66 points they put on Seton Catholic, but have only scored 8 points in their other two games combined. The Fishermen are averaging 38 papg on defense. Their biggest problem 

Pigskin Pick'em

Played hooky last week, but would've picked IHS for the win, so I'll take the loss on that one, 5-1 this year.

W- Naselle vs. Valley

The Comets destroyed Valley in Valley last year 55-0, but I think this one will be a bit closer. The win last year was the first regular season win over the Vikes in a decade

L - Ilwaco @ Toledo

Sorry Fishermen, wish I could. Maybe in two weeks when Stevenson comes to town?

Nice Win

Friday night we came out focused and ready to play. On offense, we moved the ball well due to the giant holes the line made while the backs were able to make people miss. We also maintained possession of the ball and kept the clock ticking as we marched down the field. The JV offense moved the ball too (they scored 2 touchdowns in the final 8 minutes of the game!) Our fight song was playing all night as we scored 66 points, the most Ilwaco has scored in awhile. Although we were stellar on offense, our defense still showed some holes. For most of us, this was only our second week of varsity action on both sides of the ball after all, but we cannot use that as an excuse. Our front 7 confused Seton Catholic's offensive line all night by our constant shifting and we plugged up the middle. Our defensive backs improved in their coverage as well. We have to increase our aggresiveness and intensity so we can reach our full potential on D. Time to start getting prepared for next weeks game at home against White Salmon (Columbia)!!! Eric McMillan #15 QB/LB