Comets and Mules continue to stack up wins

Wahkiakum and Naselle have been rumbling through the regular season, piling up blowout win after blowout win, and this week was no different. One thing both programs have in common is a great quarterback helping drive the offense week in and week out.

In talking to both coaches, the name of the game is execution and improvement at this point. Even though the two teams have eyes on deep playoff runs, their immediate focus never strays beyond their next opponents.

Here's how both squads stacked up this week, and what the coaches and quarterbacks are thinking now that the end of the regular season is in sight.

Naselle

Senior quarterback Leith Chadwick has made a habit of tossing touchdowns this season, but on the first play of Naselle's 70-20 win against North Beach, he found himself on the other side of a TD pass. It was one of the highlights of his season so far.

"The trick play pass back to me was a highlight," Chadwick said. "Those times are fun, when coach has options and tricks up his sleeve. He's got a big bag of tricks and he loves to use 'em."

Thanks to a well-drilled trick play, Chadwick was able to get loose downfield, and sophomore Eli Gardner delivered a strike after receiving a lateral screen.

"Normally, I'm throwing the touchdowns, but catching 'em? The satisfaction of catching a touchdown is equal to throwing them," Chadwick said. "That sophomore quarterback, Eli Gardner, he threw a little bit of a wobbler, but it got to me, and I caught it and ran as fast as I could. It was a fun time. It was an amazing trick play. We practiced it that week, just giving the coach some fun."

It must have been fun for Head Coach Kevin McNulty as well. Seeing Gardner toss up a "moon ball" wasn't exactly the trajectory they had practiced, but McNulty was happy with the 65-yard touchdown the play produced. Gardner put together a fantastic performance. In addition to his touchdown pass, he rushed five times for 171 yards and four TDs. The "gadget play" was the cherry on top.

McNulty is good friends with North Beach's coach, and the Naselle coach was hoping the trick play would keep a familiar opponent off balance from the outset.

"I thought, 'He won't expect this at all,'" said McNulty. "The other thing it does is get the kids excited. It makes them think and be a little more cautious, and your kids are excited because they're doing something out of the norm."

Naselle and North Beach played pretty close through the first quarter. The Comets still held a 32-14 advantage, but McNulty was pleased that the team was tested a bit at the start of the game before locking in and outscoring the Hyaks 38-6 in the final three frames. Even if the scores look lopsided, McNulty and Chadwick both emphasized they take no result for granted.

"No matter who we're playing, we always come in like they're the best team in the country," said Chadwick. "We gotta go in there, take care of business, do our assignments right, run up the score, and get the JV in there to get them some playing time."

Whether playing at home or away, Chadwick said the approach to the game remains the same. In front of the home crowd, Chadwick has loved feeling the support of the crowd. On the other hand, he enjoys "going to somebody's house" and "taking care of business."

With four games left in the regular season, Chadwick said the team needs to keep pushing, keep fighting, be stronger, and more mentally focused. Something he wouldn't mind is another shot at the KM Trophy. Chadwick said Wahkiakum served the Comets a slice of "humble pie" in their matchup earlier this season, but the focus now turns to the final regular-season games and a playoff pursuit.

"We want that rematch against Wahkiakum; that's what we're aiming for," Chadwick said. "Once we get that, hopefully, when we get them in the playoffs, then we just move to the second and third round and then the state championship. That's our goal."

Wahkiakum winning

Head Coach Ryan Lorenzo said the Mules "took care of business" against Ocosta on Oct. 3, improving their record to 5-0. Senior quarterback Jayden Stoddard put together another eye-popping stat line with 273 passing yards and five touchdowns passing, and 122 yards and two touchdowns rushing, but he's not one to tell you about it.

"I'm not really chasing the stats, I'm chasing the team progression and making myself better overall as a leader and athlete," Stoddard said. "I try to kind of set the standard. In the past, it was set for me, and I'm trying to eclipse all of that and give everyone the best example that I can."

Lorenzo said what stood out to him from Stoddard's Ocosta game was "how calm he was." The coaching staff put restrictions on Stoddard during the game, keeping him from throwing deep and trying to "force him to get better." Lorenzo said his audibles were excellent and credited Stoddard and the offensive line for keeping him on his feet.

"He hasn't been tackled in 3 games," said Lorenzo. That's pretty cool. The O-line is performing exceptionally. They are working and communicating and still haven't given up a sack."

Stoddard also praised the O-line for the role they've played in getting Wahkiakum to an undefeated start to the season.

"I think they've helped a whole lot, and it's kind of one of the biggest things helping us right now, and one of the biggest differences from last year [is] their impact," said Stoddard.

The Mules have also benefited from the standout play from the program's seniors. In the game against Ocosta, seniors Cooper Carlson and Gage Robinson each found the end zone. Carlson turned his single catch into a 61-yard TD, while Robinson caught four passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Unfortunately, the Ocosta game also saw one of Stoddard's favorite targets, Parker Leitz, go down with a concussion in the first quarter. Robinson stepped into the role of primary receiver, but the Mules will undoubtedly hope to have Leitz back on the field soon. Lorenzo also credited Emory Filkowski for stepping in at corner back and playing "very well." Stoddard's relationships with the other seniors on the team have been years in the making, and it shows on the field.

"We've always talked about this since third grade," said Stoddard. We've been playing with each other since third grade and now we're finally here playing together," Stoddard said. "That chemistry has been huge."

Although the Mules have already secured five wins, the result that sticks out above the rest should come as no surprise.

"Definitely that KM Trophy game," said Stoddard. "I've been waiting for that game since last year, and I'm glad we could finally take it back."

With the Comets being a top-five 1B team in the state, it's possible the two teams may meet again, but it would have to be in the playoffs. It's not a game from which Stoddard would shy away.

"I have no problem with whipping on Naselle again, but seeing some other competition wouldn't be too bad either," he said.

Right now, Stoddard is focusing on the season game by game. That's the emphasis for Lorenzo as well. Despite the wide margin on the scoreline against Ocosta, Lorenzo still feels there was room for improvement.

"We wanted to be as stingy on defense as possible," he said. "We had a bonehead play that gave up the second TD on our varsity this year. We will make sure that's fixed this week."

Lorenzo is focusing on week after week improvement. As they head into their matchup with North Beach on Friday, the Mules will be pushing to stay perfect.