Tigers cool Comets 18-13 in semifinal

The Napavine Tigers edged the Naselle Comets 18-13 last Friday in the western Washington semifinal of the state Class 2B football playoffs in the Tacoma Dome.

Napavine (11-2) plays Asotin (12-1) in the championship, this Friday, 4 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome.

The Comets ended their season with an 8-5 record, tied for third in state. They finished in second place in the Pacific League.

For a while, it looked like the Comets might upset the Central League co-champions. They controlled play in the first quarter, taking the opening kick at their own 11-yard line and marching to the Tiger 9-yard line where they fumbled it away. Napavine returned the favor two plays later. Mike Shirley recovered at the Tiger 22-yard line, and the Comets then drove for a one-yard touchdown run by Austin Burkhalter.

Napavine tied the game 6-6 late in the second quarter, going 53 yards in three plays.

The Tigers returned the second half kick deep into Comet territory and went up 12-6 at 8:54. They added another score at 11:06 of the fourth quarter to lead 18-6.

The Tiger defense held the Comets scoreless until the final minute when Burkhalter scored on a two-yard run with 34 seconds left. Caleb Corona kicked the conversion to cut the margin to 18-13.

The Comets tried an onside kick, but Napavine fielded the ball and the Tigers ran out the clock for the win.

The Comets gained 267 yards in offense, with Nick Hines gaining 170.