Mules crush Light, host Trojans in homecoming

Six plays, 157 yards rushing, 77 yards passing, three touchdowns, 20-0 lead. That was the first quarter for the Wahkiakum Mule offense in their 40-12 win over the Vancouver Light last Friday.

The Light showed some offensive power, running 19 rushing plays in the first quarter and piling up 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the first half, but their defense was no match for the Mules.

The Mules kicked off to the Light to start the game and finally forced the visitors to punt in mid-field. On the Mules’ first offensive play, Bryce McClain ran for 55 yards to the Light 26-yard line. Zach Schneider’s 11-yard run put the ball at the Light 10-yard line, and Blake Anderson ran it in from there. The conversion kick failed, leaving the Mules up 6-0 at 8:04.

After stopping the Light offense a second time, the Mules scored in two plays. Anderson gained 41 yards on a trap play, and McClain scored on a 40-yard run at 5:04 of the first quarter. Anderson’s conversion run put the Mules up 14-0.

The Mules got the ball back at their own 23-yard line, and on first down, Joel Fudge passed to Schneider who caught the ball in stride and streaked to a 77-yard touchdown, and the Mules ended the first quarter with a 20-0 lead.

The Mules scored twice in the second quarter. At 10:51, McClain scored on a 29-yard run, and at 1:34, Brandon Fudge scored on a 5-yard run.

The Light scored twice in the second quarter. Max Lenoir scored on a 38-yard run at 7:50, and Greg Polyakov scored on a 58 yard pass play.

The Mules entered the second half with a 34-12 lead. Anderson scored on a 6-yard run with 8:07 left in the third quarter, and after that, both teams played their reserves.

The Mules racked up 13 first downs, gaining 444 yards rushing and 98 yards passing. The Light had 12 first downs, 191 yards rushing and 93 yards passing.

McClain picked up 209 yards on 11 carries; Schneider, who left the game with a muscle tear, had 108 yards, and Anderson had 95. Lenoir gained 81 yards for the Light.

Ty Bain led the Mule defense with eight tackles and three assists; Anderson made four tackles and had six assists.

The Mules host the Pe Ell Trojans this Friday in the Mule homecoming game.

“This is a big, important game,” Mule Coach Eric Hansen said. The Trojans are coming off a win over Mossyrock and are a team the Mules need to beat to secure a place in post-season playoffs.

“They run an I formation offense, and they throw the ball very well,” Hansen said. “We need to contain their quarterback and running backs.”

Game time is 7 p.m. Friday.

The Columbia River Country Days celebration gets under way tomorrow (Friday) at 2:30 p.m. with travelers boarding the trolley for a slow ride across the bridge to Puget Island. The slow-moving parade, featuring the Trolley Wahkiakum, old-time vehicles, tractors, big-rigs, and trucks related to harvesting in SW Washington, will wind down Cathlamet’s Main Street, its destination being the farmer’s market. The market is ready to serve, and the pumpkins are ready to view.

Participants are to meet at 2:30 p.m. at the Elochoman Marina, leave the marina at 2:45 and parade through Cathlamet--horns blowing--and cross the bridge to Puget Island and the Farmer’s Market, 59 W. Birnie Slough Road. An incentive, free hamburgers, chips and pop will go to all who take part. Big-rigs and trailers should park just past the market. Smaller vehicles may enter the market parking area. For more information, contact Rob Stockhouse

Two Islands Farm Market invites parents to bring children to ride the “Pumpkin” Train Friday (3 to 7 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Stockhouse’s Pumpkin Patch will be open Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 1. p.m.

Friday happenings will end with a visit to the wine shop for a wine and chocolate fete. Tickets may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce in the Scarborough building. Also on display at the wine shop is a painting which will be given in a drawing.

Saturday morning’s events will begin at 10 a.m. with tours of Wahkiakum farms. Maps are available as a guide to five farms hosting visitors. Farm animals and farm produce will be on view at Crippen Creek Farm, Skamokawa; Wooden Bridge Farm, Skamokawa; Little Island Farm, Little Island; Stockhouse’s Farm, Puget Island; and Aegerter Dairy, Puget Island.

Also starting at 10 a.m. on Puget Island, the Howard Brawn farm will be hosting an AKC Lure coursing field trial. The competition is among sight hounds ranging from giant Irish Wolfhounds, whippets, greyhounds to tiny basenjis. The public is welcome to attend.

Saturday at noon, the Wahkiakum High School junior class will offer a pie social in the Hotel Cathlamet. Jordyn Wirkkala is the contact person.

At the Skamokawa fairgrounds in the Youth building on Saturday noon, the Skamokawa Grange is selling snacks and concessions. Following at 2 p.m. Auctioneer Brian McClain will conduct an old-time auction. Those with good sale items may call Sharon Dancie 795-6120.

Activities in Grays River include a gourmet, one-seating dinner served in the lamp-lit Covered Bridge at 4:30 p.m. Mark Bernetich , an award-winning Portland chef, has volunteered to be in charge of preparing the dinner.. Menu will include a salmon entrée, a chicken entree, corn, bread and blueberry buckle. Seating is limited, and tickets are nearly sold out, so those interested should contact Paula Carlson as soon as possible, 849-4000. A promised treat at the dinner will be a wandering minstrel, Jeff Reynolds, playing violin music.

Wahkiakum on the Move and the St. James bus will operate a shuttle beginning at 3:45 Saturday afternoon running continuously between the parking lot of the Grays River Café, the Meserve Park and the Covered Bridge. The ride in the shuttle bus will take passengers right to the entrance of the bridge.

In the evening at 7 p.m., Grays River Grange is hosting a Grange Dance and a pie social.

The harvest celebration has been planned to feature rural Wahkiakum County with the focus on farming and the Extension Service’s history of helping farmers and introducing Wahkiakum youth to the 4-H program and all it can offer.