Mules beat Panthers;to host top-ranked Adna

It was pretty close to an ideal homecoming football game last Friday at Wahkiakum High School.

The Mule football team did pretty much as they pleased enroute to a 47-0 win over the White Pass Panthers, and the rain threatened but never showed to dampen the homecoming court.

The Mules rolled up 388 yards rushing and completed four of eight passes, all in the first half. The varsity opened the third quarter with a six-minute touchdown drive, and after that, the junior varsity came on and added another on a solid drive in the fourth quarter.

The Mules' first strike came at 6:20 of the first quarter on a 22-yard pass from Joel Fudge to Bobby Helms.

Blake Anderson scored on a 2-yard run on the first play of the second quarter. He scored three more touchdowns--the last in the third quarter--on runs of two, 12 and five yards.

Josh Rongey returned a pass interception 50 yards for a touchdown, and James Goldsmith scored for the junior varsity on a two yard run.

Anderson and Alec Sealund each gained 93 yards for the Mules. Quarterback Fudge added 30 on five runs. Goldsmith picked up 32 yards on seven carries for the JV's.

Fudge completed four of eight passes for 93 yards and one touchdown. Helms, Matt Willette and Rongey each caught passes.

"I was pleased with a lot of things; we did what we were supposed to," said Coach Eric Hansen. "Helms and Anderson ran the ball pretty well, and Fudge made some nice throws. The offensive line opened some real nice holes. The defensive line put a lot of pressure on their quarterback.

"The JV kids moved the ball well. James Goldsmith and Cameron Elliott ran really well, and Jordan Fritsch had some good hits on defense."

Some things bothered Hansen--penalties negated two touchdowns; the team failed to complete four conversions; kick off coverage gave up lots of yards, people needed to stay on blocks longer, and the defense lost outside contain a couple times.

"We can't have that in a big game," Hansen said.

The games won't get much bigger for the Mules: They entertain the league leading, top ranked Adna Pirates this Friday.

"Adna's got a complete team; they're solid," Hansen said. "Their running back may be the best in the league. They can do it all.

"We'll try to score early and control the ball," he said.