Mules advance to semis, Comets' season ends in quarters

The quarterfinals of the 2025 Washington 1B Football State Championships took place this past weekend. While the Wahkiakum Mules advanced to the semifinals, Naselle saw its season end in the final eight.

The margins are always tight in elimination games, and even if the final scores weren't close, there were plenty of plays and moments that culminated in those results.

Naselle

Knowing Almira-Coulee-Hartline (ACH) would be a tough matchup in the Nov. 21 quarterfinal, the Comets made the cross-state trek to Moses Lake to take on the Warriors in a win-or-go-home game. ACH entered the tournament as the #4-seed, and Comets' Head Coach Kevin McNulty said before the game that Naselle would need to play mistake-free football to advance.

Though Naselle started well, stopping the Warriors on the first drive, things didn't break the Comets' way in the first quarter.

"Our first offensive series, we drove down into the red zone and fumbled," said McNulty. "ACH scored on a long run and led 8-0. They had a successful onside kick and got the ball right back, drove, and scored again."

On the next drive, penalties cost the Comets, and they were stonewalled on a fourth-down, goal-line play on the one-yard line. The Warriors took the ball back the other way, driving the ball 99 yards and punching in another touchdown. By the end of the first quarter, ACH had built a 22-0 lead.

McNulty credited his team's effort, but noted that the Comets had self-inflicted wounds that cost them against an opponent that could punish them.

"We lost a couple of onside kicks, we had three fumbles, and lost two of those," said McNulty. "Things that, you know, if the ball bounces the other way, it would be a different ball game, but it wasn't. Some of that is the opponent. They are a good football team; fast and physical."

McNulty said the Warriors were the most physical team Naselle faced all season, and they weren't afraid of the contact. ACH also played with speed, matching the Comets athlete for athlete. Though Naselle scored 12 points in the second quarter, ACH matched that total and outscored them 36-12 in the first half.

The game ended 26-61, and McNulty said the Comets struggled to bounce back after that early red-zone fumble. McNulty said, unfortunately, one of the "quirks" of this year's team was the inability to face adversity and move on quickly. Against a good football team, the early deficit proved too difficult to overcome.

Though the season is over, McNulty credited the Comets' seniors with putting together great careers. McNulty took over the head coaching job in 2021, and many of the program's veterans are players he's coached since they were in middle school.

"The senior group played on the varsity as eighth graders, because there was no middle school team due to numbers," said McNulty. "That senior group just finished, since eighth grade, with a 51-10 record over the five years. They made it to the top eight in the state each and every year; they made the semis two or three times. They leave a legacy. They were at the state football playoffs all five years. No, they didn't win it, but we were there, we were consistent. We're not always the biggest and strongest; in fact, we never have been, but we're still right in the throes of things."

McNulty said the team will lose seven seniors this season, but there will be players ready to step up and take their place next season. The Comets' program is all about developing, and McNulty trusts that players will step up to replace the seniors who will definitely be missed.

When he looks back on this season, McNulty said he'll remember this program's seniors and the journey they took.

"[They're] role models for the underclassmen," he said. "They've matured and been a fun group to work with. I'm really proud of them as human beings."

Wahkiakum

While Naselle battled Almira-Coulee-Hartline in Moses Lake, Wahkiakum took on Pomeroy at Kelso Stadium. The Mules came in as the higher seed - ranked #3 - and the Pirates were the #6-seed. Though the game started 14-14 after the first quarter, Wahkiakum ramped up the pressure before halftime.

The Mules grabbed control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Pirates 26-0 in the period behind some inspired defense. Head Coach Ryan Lorenzo credited the defense and special teams for making some big plays that shifted momentum.

"Defense got settled down," said Lorenzo. "Got an interception, an onside recovery, and a forced fumble. Those definitely helped."

At the center of the Mules' offensive success was the play of quarterback Jayden Stoddard. The senior was a terror for the Pirates' defense, racking up 315 passing yards to go with five touchdowns. Still, it wasn't just an air raid offense; Stoddard punished Pomeroy with his legs, rushing for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Parker Leitz, Cooper Carlson, and Gage Robinson opened up the field for the Mules, each catching at least six passes and combining for five touchdown receptions.

Lorenzo said the bevy of weapons makes the Mules' offense a bear to contend with.

"We have a couple of weapons, and you can't just focus on Jay," said Lorenzo. "When he gets in the open field, he is fun to watch."

With the game largely in control with a 40-14 lead, Wahkiakum didn't let the Pirates get any daylight. The Mules ultimately kept the foot on the gas pedal en route to a 66-34 win. On defense, Lorenzo said there were several standout performances. Chris Stewart made tons of tackles despite limited reps. Israel Velke and Aiden Scott on the D line were battling in the trenches all game long, and "of course," Joe Merz at LB was "doing what he does," which is causing mayhem. Merz registered 10 solo tackles and caused a fumble. Lorenzo said the game plan was executed well, but that there were some things he wants to clean up ahead of the semifinal game against Liberty Christian. In the upcoming match with the Patriots, picking up blitzes and communication from the O-line are points of emphasis.