Mules pound out homecoming win

The short-handed Wahkiakum Mules ground out a 21-13 non-league victory over the combined Morton/White Pass (M/WP) football team in the 2009 homecoming game last Friday.

"It was not our best game," said Mule Coach Eric Hansen. "We were missing seven starters, some to injury, some to illness, one to grades, and one for a tobacco suspension."

The Mules had their moments. They opened the scoring at 4:45 of the first quarter on a 14-yard pass play from Brandon Fudge to Zach Pierce. Lars Blix kicked the conversion for a 7-0 Mule lead.

After kicking off to M/WP, the Mules forced a fumble which linebacker Ty Bain picked up and ran 31 yards for a touchdown and 13-0 lead.

The visitors responded with their only scoring drive of the night. Marco Bertucci ran it in on a three-yard run early in the second quarter. The Mule defense stopped the run for the conversion, and the score stood 13-6 at halftime.

At 5:10 of the third quarter, Zach Schneider scored on a three-yard for the Mules. He ran the conversion, too, putting the Mules up 21-6.

The Mules drove inside the visitors' 5-yard line in the fourth quarter, but a penalty pushed them back, and they turned over the ball on downs.

The Mules gained 248 yards rushing and 48 yards on three pass completions for 290 yards of offense and 13 first downs. They had 10 penalties for 75 yards and fumbled twice, losing neither.

Bryce McClain gained 116 yards on 22 carries. Schneider picked up 89 yards on 13 carries, and Joel Niccolazi had 23 yards on six runs. Fudge completed passes to Pierce, 14 yards, Ryan Helms, 20 yards, and Schneider, 14 yards.

Mitch Moonen led the Mule defense with 12 tackles; Bain had 11. Helms blocked a punt to set up the Mules final touchdown.

M/WP gained 198 yards on the ground and 30 on three pass completions for 11 first downs. They had six penalties for 50 yards and fumbled twice, losing one.

The Mules head to Adna this Friday to take on the undefeated and league leading Pirates.

"We'll need everybody ready to play, and we need to cut down our mistakes," Hansen said.

The Mules will close out the regular season Thursday, November 5, with the Mossyrock Vikings come to Cathlamet for a 7 p.m. game.