Mules kick Vikings 34-14, head to Winlock

The Wahkiakum Mule football team opened their 2012 campaign with a 34-14 victory over the visiting Mossyrock Vikings last Friday.

The Mules showed they could run the ball and pass it as well as they piled up a 21-0 halftime lead.

The Vikings twice failed to convert fourth down plays in the fourth quarter and gave possession to the Mules in Viking territory. The Mules took advantage of the good field position.

Steven Doumit scored on a five-yard run at 8:54 and Peter Weiler kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead. The second drive featured some good passing from quarterback Lars Blix to the Mule receivers, but Austin Good ran 13 yards for the score. Weiler's kick made it 14-0 at 2:54.

Weiler followed a wall of blockers and scored on a 22-yard sweep in the second quarter and kicked the conversion for the 21-0 hafltime lead.

Doumit scored again for the Mules in the third quarter on an 18 yard run; Weiler kicked the conversion, and the Mules led 28-0 at 8:25.

The Vikings responded with a touchdown drive at 3:56 of the third quarter to cut the Mule lead to 28-7. They performed a successful onside kick but were unable to score.

At 7:53 of the fourth quarter, Blix passed to Travis Wegdahl who caught the ball one yard short of the goal line and powered through a defender for a six-yard scoring play. A missed conversion kick left the Mules ahead 34-7.

Mossyrock got the ball back and scored on a four-yard pass play at 4:56 to cut the Mule lead to 34-14. The Vikings got the ball back and threatened to score at the end of the game, but the Mule pass defense preserved the lead.

"It was a great game for us," Mule Coach Eric Hansen commented. "I thought we showed a balanced attack. Conditioning showed in the second half when they got their scores; we need to be in better shape."

The Mules gained 233 yards rushing and 90 yards passing; they had nine first downs. The Vikings gained 154 yards on the ground and 151 yards in the air; they had nine first downs.

Weiler gained 145 yards rushing and caught five passes for 61 yards. Doumit had 56 yards rushing and one pass for three yards. Good gained 28 yards rushing and caught two passes for 20 yards. Wegdahl caught one pass for six yards. Blix completed nine of 14 passes for one touchdown and no interceptions.

The Mules lost one of two fumbles and were called for three penalties for 30 yards. Mossyrock had one fumble and four penalties for 30 yards.

On defense, Doumit made 20 tackles and intercepted one pass. Kohl Bergseng made 14 tackles, with one quarterback sack; Nathan Cothren made 11 tackles; Good nine tackles and Blix eight, with one sack.

The Mules play at Winlock on Friday. The Cardinals lost their season opener 42-0 at Morton/White Pass last Friday.