Tigers corral Mules in 49-7 football loss

It might have been compared to a battle between David and Goliath, but this time, Goliath won.

In other words, the Napavine Tigers rolled over the Wahkiaum Mules 49-7 in a Central League football game last Friday.

With a small squad this year, the Mules suited up only 15 players, a majority of them freshmen and sophomores. Napavine, on the other hand, suited up more than 30 players, including plenty of juniors and seniors with playoff experience.

The Tigers got going with a 57-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the game. They added two more touchdowns in the first quarter for a 21-0 lead and two more in the second quarter for a 35-0 halftime lead. In the second half, they scored on a 23-yard run in third quarter and a 52-yard blast in the fourth quarter.

The Mules got on the scoreboard with a minute left in the game. Junior Hank Ferguson scored on a four-yard run, and sophomore Zach Brown kicked the conversion to make the final 49-7 score.

Even though Napavine dominated the game, Mule coaches were pleased with their young team.

"They never quit," said Coach Eric Hansen. "They did their jobs and kept trying to make plays."

The Tigers gained 187 yards rushing and 228 yards in the air. The Mules had 82 yards rushing and minus two yards passing.

Ferguson gaind 48 yards, and Cody Terpsma had 35. On defense, Brown had nine tackles; Ferguson was in on eight and batted down a Tiger pass; Alexander Merrill was in on seven tackles, recovered a Tiger fumble and sacked the Tiger quarterback, and Bryce Good made five tackles.

The schedule doesn't get any kinder to the Mules. They head to Adna to play the Pirates this Friday and then to Pe Ell September 25 to play Pe Ell/Willapa Valley. Both opponents are still undefeated.