Comets and Mules ready for KM Trophy showdown

Naselle and Wahkiakum scored big wins in their first games of the season, each beating their opposition by more than 40 points. Both squads will hope to carry the momentum into their upcoming matchup this Friday, with the KM Trophy on the line.

Both coaches are looking forward to Friday's game under the lights at Naselle High School, and it is shaping up to be an early-season showdown between Coastal 1B's elite.

Wahkiakum winning

Wahkiakum put the game against the Chitwhins out of reach early, and cantered to a 56-8 win on Sept. 5. Head Coach Ryan Lorenzo said Taholah is in the process of rebuilding and came into the game light on numbers. The Mules were quick to capitalize. "[The] boys executed well," Lorenzo said. "We had varsity in for 10 snaps."

Playing against their shorthanded opponents, the Mules came out kicking, putting up 32 unanswered points in the first quarter. Senior quarterback Jayden Stoddard made the most of his time on the field, completing four of his six pass attempts for 167 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns on two carries, including a 56-yard scamper to the endzone.

Senior receiver Parker Leitz brought in the most receiving yards, with three catches for 68 yards and a TD. Seniors Gage Robinson and Cooper Carlson each came away with 40+ yard touchdown receptions as well. Robinson also got his hands dirty on the defensive end, with two tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery that resulted in a touchdown.

It wasn't just the seniors on the scoresheet, though. Sophomore Joshua Moon also rushed for a touchdown, making him the youngest player on the squad to find the endzone for a TD. The Mules also showed their stubbornness on the defensive side of the ball. "Defense played well," Lorenzo said. Don't think they gave up a single yard." Thanks to some hard-nosed defending, the Mules held Taholah scoreless in the second half. After the win, Lorenzo turned his attention to the upcoming matchup with Naselle.

Last year saw the Mules take a tough loss to the Comets. The final score was 72-6 on Sept. 13, but a lot can change in a year. When asked what the team will be focusing on, Lorenzo said physicality will be a "hot topic." "Naselle is gonna bring it," Lorenzo said. "Our guys are working at getting together."

With the KM Trophy on the line, and last year's defeat to avenge, there's plenty of motivation for the Mules. Lorenzo hopes the community will come out in force to support them. "Show up," Lorenzo said. "It's going to be a good game."

Comets crushing

While Head Coach Kevin McNulty expected the game against Darrington to be a good test, Naselle passed it with flying colors. The Comets coasted to a 52-8 win, powered by some early game changes. "After Darrington's first drive in which they moved the ball some, we adjusted for the speed of their QB, and our D line was able to apply pressure with good linebacker support," McNulty said.

On offense, the Comets focused on sustained drives with plenty of lateral movement to wear out the 15-man Logger squad. The offense hummed in the first half, outscoring Darrington 44-0 before the break. "We have lots of little details to fix team wise, but a solid first outing," McNulty said.

Quarterback Leith Chadwick had an efficient day, going 5/8, throwing for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Eli Gardner was the primary beneficiary, hauling in two touchdowns and 66 receiving yards. Gardner also had a monster day on the ground, rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns, showing dual-threat prowess. The other touchdown pass was brought in by senior Scott Henington.

With Wahkiakum looming on the schedule, McNulty thinks this game could be critical in the race for the league championship as well as the KM Trophy. "Mules are a very good football team, and the week two matchup for, quite possibly, what may be the league championship, is unique," McNulty said. "We have some youth, and I may feel a little comfortable having a few weeks to prepare kids, but this is the way it is."

In addition to having a young squad, McNulty said the Comets are coming into the showdown a little banged up. Though they aren't as healthy as they would like, McNulty said that good teams battle through adversity, and his team will push through.

There will be a lot of quality on the field in Friday's game, and both teams seem slated to make the playoffs this season. Though the rivalry continues between the two programs, McNulty said he hopes both programs will be rooting for each other when the time comes... unless, of course, they are facing off.

"Both teams want the trophy, and one will get it! I believe both of these teams will represent the west side in the state playoffs if things go as they should," McNulty said. Tune in for the game on Friday, Sept. 12, when Wahkiakum travels to take on Naselle at Naselle High School at 7 p.m.