Mules blank Comets 13-0 to claim KM Trophy

The Mule defensive line made a strong surge to force a Naselle Comet fumble late in last Friday's KM Trophy game and preserve a 13-0 Mule win. L-r in black are Zach Schneider, Mitch Moonen, Stian Vik, Ty Bain and an unidentified Mule. Photo by Rick Nelson. In what Wahkiakum Mule Coach Eric Hansen terms an upset, the Mules shutout the Naselle Comets 13-0 last Friday in the traditional KM Trophy game.

Both teams made turnovers in first game of the season. The Mules were able to capitalize on theirs, while the Comets came up short.

The Comets received the opening kick and quickly fumbled away the ball at their own 32 yard line. After two four yard runs by Luke Thomason, Bryce McClain ripped off a 24 yard run to the Comet 2-yard line, and Thomason scored on the next play. Blake Anderson’s conversion kick put the Mules up 7-0 at 10:38 of the first quarter, and that score would stand to the middle of the fourth quarter.

The Mules dominated play in the second quarter. Twice Naselle had to stop Mule drives deep in their territory, with one goalline stand coming just before halftime.

The Comets lost middle linebacker Alan Erickson to injury late in the third quarter, and with the Comet defense in disarray, the Mules mounted their second scoring drive in the fourth quarter. McClain picked up 64 yards in four runs, taking the ball to the Comet 6-yard line. After McClain punched the ball to the 1-yard line, quarterback Joel Fudge followed the Mule line surge for the touchdown. The Comets stopped McClain on a run for the conversion, leaving the score 13-0 with 7:31 to go.

With the passing of quarterback Lance Burkhalter, the Comets were able to put together a good drive in the final minutes, driving the ball two inches short of the goal line. The Mule defensive line then put together a powerful surge that pushed the Comet line into the backfield, forcing a fumble that Zach Schneider recovered for the Mules with 20 seconds left on the clock.

“I consider this an upset,” Hansen said. “They were co-champions of the Pacific League and took home a trophy. They made it to the playoffs, and we didn’t.

Both teams made lots of errors, but there was some hard hitting going on.”

The Comets had six fumbles, recovering only one, and the Mules intercepted one Burkhalter pass. The Mules had two fumbles, but recovered both, and the Comets intercepted one Mule pass.

The Mules gained 290 yards in 51 rushing plays. They attempted only three passes. McClain gained 207 yards on 22 runs; Thomason picked up 62 yards in 15 runs, and Fudge had 18 yards in nine runs.

Anderson led the Mule defense with five tackles and eight assists. Fudge had 6/2, Ty Bain 4/6, Schneider 3/6 and Ben Doumit 3/3.

The Comets gained 83 yards 23 running plays and 94 yards passing on 12 completions. Nathan Carlson was the leading running with 18 yards in two runs; Nick Hines had 15 yards in five runs, and Burkhalter had 11 yards in five carries. Burkhalter completed 11 of 21 passes for 87 yards. Erickson and Hines each completed a pass for a combined 7 yards.

Mike Shirley led the Comet defense with 10 tackles and five assists. Hines had 5/5, Leonel Mendoza 4/6, Tommy Rose 4/5, Erickson 3/6, and Seth Scrabeck 2/6.

The Mules host the Morton Huskies this Friday, 7 p.m. The Comets host the Warrenton Warriors this Friday, 7 p.m., in their home opener on Reuben Penttila Field.