Royals edge Mules on extra points

The Wahkiakum Mules rallied from a two touchdown deficit only to fall short on extra points in a non-league 27-25 to the Portland Christian Royals last Friday.

The Mules led 13-7 at halftime, but the visitors dominated play in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns and their last on the first play of the fourth quarter to lead 27-14 with 11:53 to go in the game.

The Mules came to life on an exchange of turnovers. The Royals intercepted a Joel Fudge pass at midfield and drove to the Mule 21-yard line where they fumbled the ball away. After the Mules had punched the ball out to their 39-yard line, Fudge rolled to his left and then passed to running back Bryce McClain streaking down the right sideline who caught the ball in stride and ran for a 61-yard scoring play. Fudge attempted to run the ball for the conversion, but the Royal defense stopped him short of the goal line to make the score 27-19.

The Royals took the Mule kickoff and drove to the Mule 30-yard line where they again fumbled the ball away. The Mules drove into Royal territory where they fumbled the ball away, but the Royals again fumbled the ball to the attacking defense, with Ben Doumit coming up with the ball at the Royal 34-yard line.

Fudge passed to tight end Blake Anderson to convert a fourth down and one yard to go, with the ball moving to Portland Christian’s 8-yard line. Two McClain runs moved the ball to the 3-yard line, and Anderson, moving into the fullback position, punched it in from there to cut the Royal lead two 27-25 with 45 seconds left in the game.

The Mules tried for a two point conversion run, but the Royal defense stopped the run short of the goal line to preserve their lead.

The Royals then fielded the Mule onside kick and ran out the clock to claim the 27-25 win.

Portland Christian scored first in the game, a short pass play at 6:31 of the first quarter.

The Mules responded with two touchdowns in the second quarter.

Defensive end Ty Bain set up the first by slapping the ball away from q, who had rolled out to pass, and recovering the fumble at the Mule 27- yard line. A 17-yard pass from Fudge to Zack Pierce and a 19-yard run by McClain put the Mules at the Royal 13-yard line, and Zach Schneider ran the touchdown from there. Anderson’s extra point kick was good to tie the game 7-7.

The Mules then forced the Royal offense to punt and took over at the Mule 6-yard line. They ran the ball out to the 20-yard line, and Fudge passed to McClain sprinting down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown play. The conversion kick was wide, leaving the Mules ahead 13-7 at halftime.

“It was a great game if you were a fan,” said Mule Coach Eric Hansen. “I was pleased with how we came back. We threw the ball well; McClain had a great game, Bain played outstanding on the lnie, and Zack Pierce, a sophomore, played great defense against their big receiver.”

The Mules gained 158 yards on 41 rushing plays and 175 yards on five pass completions. The Royals had 193yards on 33 runs and 205 yards on 13 passes.

McClain led the Mule runners with 66 yards on 15 carries. Fudge had 22, Zach Schneider 29, and Luke Thomason 26. Fudge completed five of 11 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

For Portland Christian, Preston Dace gained 98 yards on 17 carries and 34 had 66 on seven runs. Dace completed 13 of 22 passess for 205 yards and one touchdown; 85 had six catches for 103 yards.

The Mules return to Central League action this Friday on the road at White Pass.

“Portland Christian was good experience for us,” Hansen said. “White Pass likes to throw the ball.”

Statistics

Mules

Royals

First downs

10

7

Rushes/yards

41/158

33/193

Passes/yards

5/175

13/205

Total offense

332

298

Punts/average

6/30.2

3/28.3

Fumbles/lost

2/1

7/3

Penalties/lost

3/26

4/40

Passes/complete/intercepted

11/5/2

23/13/0

Rushing: Mules--Bryce McClain 15/66; Luke Thomason 6/26; Zach Schneider 9/29; Joel Fudge 9/22; Blake Anderson 1/3. Royals--Preston Dace 17/98; Kyle Seemuth 7/66.

Passing: Mules--Fudge 11/5/2, 175 yds., 1 TD. Royals--Dace 23/13/1 205 yds. 1 TD.

Receptions: Mules--McClain 2/141, 2 TD; Zack Pierce 1/17; Anderson 1/17. Royals Chris Workman 6/103.

Tackles/assists/sacks: Mules--Thomason 5/4; McClain 6/5; Ty Bain 5/4; Ryan Helms 4/2; Schneider 3/3; Pierce 2/2.

Fumble recoveries: Bain, Ben Doumit, Schneider.