Comets hand Mules a 49-18 playoff loss

The Naselle Comets pounded out a 49-18 win over the Wahkiakum Mules in the opening of the state football playoffs last Saturday in Naselle.

The win also gave the Comets continued possession of the KM Trophy.

The Mules, fifth place in the Central League, gave the Comets, Pacific League champion and ranked second last week in the Associated Press football poll, all they could handle in the first half. In the second half, the Comets' size advantage began to tell, and the mistake prone Mules weren't able to keep up with their hosts.

The Comets opened the scoring on a seven yard run by quarterback Dustin Eaton at 6:07 of the first quarter. Eaton had passed to Sam Scrabeck for a 57-yard play to set up the score.

The Mules responded with a scoring drive. Quarterback Lars Blix connected with Travis Wegdahl on a 32-yard pass play to put the Mules in scoring position. Blix ran the ball in from seven yards out with 56 seconds left in the frame to tie the score at 6-6.

The second quarter advantage belonged to the Mules. They had 65 yards rushing on 17 plays and 93 yards passing in nine plays compared to the Comets' 23 yards rushing on three runs and 57 yards passing on two passes. Still, the Comets scored twice and the Mules only once.

Naselle boosted their lead to 14-6 at 9:50 of the second quarter when Eaton passed to Trevin Leeland for a 57-yard scoring play. Eaton ran the conversion for the 14-6 lead.

The Mules cut the margin when Blix connected with Wegdahl on a 10-yard pass play. The conversion failed, leaving the Comets ahead 14-12 at 4:21 of the second quarter.

Naselle struck back quickly, with Eaton scoring on a 19-yard run with 2:47 to go in the half. Leeland kicked the conversion for a 21-12 Comet lead.

The half ended with the Mules at the Comet goal line. The Comets brought Mule running back Wyatt Parker down a foot short of scoring as the clock ran out; officials ruled a fraction of a second remained, and the Mules weren't able to get the ball snapped before the horn sounded to end the half.

The Comets received the second half kickoff and marched for a score. Robert Eaton carried the ball in from nine yards out at 10:06 to boost the Comet lead to 27-12.

At 5:44 of the third quarter, the Mules put their last points on the scoreboard on Parker's one-yard run, cutting the margin to 27-18.

From there, the game belonged to the Comets. Dustin Eaton scored on a one yard run with 1:49 left in the third quarter; he ran the conversion to boost the Comet lead to 35-18.

In the fourth quarter, Robert Eaton scored on a 14 yard run at 7:33, and Dustin Eaton tacked on another touchdown at 2:59 with a 41-yard run. Leeland kicked two conversions for the Comets' 49-18 winning margin.

The Comets had 236 rushing and 144 yards passing and nine first downs. Dustin Eaton completed five of six passes for 144 yards and one touchdown. Nick Strange caught two passes for 66 yards; Scrabeck, Leeland (touchdown) and Chris Walkowiak all caught one pass. Dustin Eaton gained 111 yards rushing; Robert Eaton had 87, and Scrabeck 44. On defense, Dustin Eaton had 15 tackles, Leeland 11, and Walkowiak nine.

The Comets fumbled once, losing it, and were called for five penalties for 50 yards.

The Mules gained 123 yards rushing and 212 yards passing for 14 first downs, eight by passing. Blix completed 11 of 21 passes, with one interception for 212 yards and one touchdown. Wegdahl (touchdown) caught three for 42 yards; Parker had six receptions for 77 yards; and Steven Doumit caught four for 62 yards, and Eli McElroy and Kohl Bergseng had one reception.

Parker gained 72 yards on 23 carries; Bergseng had 33 yards on six runs, and Blix gained 18 yards on seven runs. On defense, Blix and Bubba Calvert each had 14 tackles; Parker had 10, and Bergseng eight.

The Mules fumbled three times, losing all, and were called for seven penalties for 80 yards.

The Comets will host the Adna Pirates this Friday, 7 p.m., in the next round of the playoffs.

The game was the last for Mule seniors Parker, Tylor Russell, Brett Chaput and Levi Cothren.