Story by Rick Nelson

The Wahkiakum Mules could claim second place in the River Division of the Central League with a victory over the visiting Toutle Lake Ducks.

The win would mean the Mules would host the third place team out of the Mountain Division the following week in cross-over playoffs.

A loss would likely throw them into a three-way tie with Toledo and Toutle Lake. The winner of a coin toss would host the cross-over game; the other teams would hit the road.

The Mules kept their drive for second place intact with a 55-27 win last Friday over the Cardinals in Winlock.

James Anderson led the Mule attack; scoring on a 22-yard run at 7:42 of the first quarter and adding a 62-yard punt return at the end of the first quarter and an 82-yard kickoff return at 10:37 of the second quarter that gave the Mules a 19-6 lead.

After the Cardinals scored to close the gap to 19-12, Mule quarterback Lucas Brown connected with Kaden Cothren for a 28-yard touchdown play and 25-14 halftime lead.

The Mules increased their lead to 33-14 when Zach Brown scored on a 5-yard run at 9:49 of the third quarter. Winlock struck back with Seth Lindsay scoring on a 3-yard run with 5:13 left.

The Mules ran seven plays in the fourth quarter, three for touchdowns. Z. Brown scored at 9:40 on a 6-yard run for 41-20 Mule lead, and Chance Cothren scored on runs of 66 and 21 yards at 5:53 and 5:05 to put the Mules up 55-20. Winlock scored with 22 seconds left for the final 55-27 score.

The Mules gained 313 yards on 25 rushes and 43 yards on three pass completions for 356 total yards.

The Cardinals gained 328 yards on 53 rushes and 18 yards on three pass completions for 346 total yards.

Cothren led the Mule rushing attack with 130 yards on five carries. Z. Brown had eight carries for 83 yards, and J. Anderson ran 10 times for 81 yards. L. Brown gained 12 yards on two runs; he completed three of five passes for 43 yards. Catching passes were K. Anderson, 28-yard touchdown, Braxton Johns, eight yards, and J. Anderson, seven yards.

L. Brown was leading tackler with 19 tackles; Z. Brown had 14, including two sacks; Ashden Niemeyer 12, Cothren 11, Tristan Collupy nine, K.C. Beery eight; J. Anderson and Evan Quigley seven each; and Dannie Dennison six.

Lindsay, a 6-2, 210 lb. senior running back, gained 207 yards on 25 carries and scored each of Winlock's four touchdowns.

"We didn't play good defense," Mule Coach Eric Hansen commented. "We'll have to do a better job tackling Toutle's Asher VanHoof because he's a good back."

On Friday, action starts early at 6:35 p.m. with the introduction of seniors participating in football, cheer and cross country.

Then the battle for playoff spots.