Braves knock Mules out of football playoffs

The LaConner Braves put an end to the Wahkiakum Mule football season with a 41-20 decision last Saturday at Mount Vernon.

LaConner advances to meet the Raymond Seagulls next Saturday, 3 p.m., also in Mount Vernon. The Mules finish the season with a 8-2 record.

"They were a good football team," Mule Coach Eric Hansen said of LaConner. "They were bigger and faster."

The Mules started the game with a bang, taking the opening kickoff and moving downfield through the passing of quarterback Lars Blix, who completed the drive with a two-yard plunge for the touchdown. Gunnar Blix kicked the conversion, and the Mules led 7-0 at 5:50 of the first quarter.

LaConner responded with a quick touchdown drive and tied the score 7-7 at 3:16.

The Mules were moving the ball on their next possession, but the Braves intercepted a pass and returned it just short of the goal line to set up their next touchdown at 8:45 of the second quarter. From that point on, the game belonged to LaConner. They led 35-7 by the time the Mules scored their next touchdown, a nine-yard pass from Lars Blix to brother Gunnar Blix at 10:34 of the fourth quarter.

Lars Blix connected with Austin Good on a one-yard scoring pass play with 12 seconds left to close out the scoring.

"The kids played hard, but losing the momentum on the first interception seemed to hurt us," Hansen said.

The Mules ended up with a total of nine yards rushing on 27 runs. Lars Blix passed 42 times and completed 25 for 252 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Steven Doumit had 40 yards rushing, Travis Wegdahl four, and Good three.

Good caught seven passes for 68 yards and one touchdown. Gunnar Blix caught five for 58 yards and one touchdown; Wegdahl caught five for 43 yards; Doumit caught four for 24, and Seth Doumit caught three for 40 yards.

Steven Doumit was in on eight tackles, Mason Mackey nine, Bubba Calvert eight, Nathan Cothren seven, Good and Lars Blix six each, and Gunnar Blix and Brandon Burdick, four each.

The game was the last as Mules for seniors Lars Blix, Steven Doumit, Kohl Bergseng, Mitchel Dault, Dallas Peacock, Bubba Calvert, Eli McElroy and Adam Vasion.

"We came a long way this season," Hansen said. "The kids have nothing to hang their heads about. It was the first time for us in the playoffs in six years. They played hard and executed well. They were enjoyable to be around."