Mules rip Wildcats for 2nd win of season

The Wahkiakum Mules came on strong in the second half to defeat the visiting Ocosta Wildcats 34-7 last Friday in a non-league football game.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Mules took the lead at 9:29 of the second quarter. KC Beery caught a pass from Lucas Brown for an 18-yard touchdown. L. Brown passed to Zach Brown for the conversion and an 8-0 lead.

The visitors responded with their only score of the night on a 22-yard run and kicked a conversion that cut the Mule lead to 8-7 with 6:11 left in the second quarter.

The Mules dominated the second half, holding the Wildcats to 20 yards rushing and 21 yards passing while piling up 26 points for the 34-7 win.

"In the second half, we kind of wore them out," commented Mule Coach Eric Hansen. "Having a game under our belts (the game was Ocosta's first, Wahkiakum's second) was a distinct advantage."

Z. Brown did the damage, scoring on runs of 45 yards in the third quarter and six, 22 and seven yards in the fourth quarter.

Z. . Brown finished with 90 yards rushing on seven carries. James Anderson gained 80 yards on 15 carries; L. Brown picked up 60 yards on six runs; Chance Cothren had 15 yards on seven runs, and Braxton Johns carried twice for seven yards.

L. Brown completed three of 10 passes for 47 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Beery, Anderson and Santos Wright each had receptions.

Overall, the Mules had 252 yards on the ground and 47 in the air for 299 yards of offense. The Wildcats had 115 yards on the ground (only 20 in the second half) and 18 yards in the air.

On defense, Anderson and Tristan Collupy each had 10 tackles, Z. Brown nine, Casey Wilson eight, Quigley and L. Brown six each and Berry five. Cothren intercepted a Wildcat pass.

"We had some young kids come in and help us on the defensive line," Hansen said. "Zach Brown had a great game with four touchdowns, and Evan Quigley moved from split end to quick tackle and really helped us on the offensive line; he's a real physical kid."

The Mules juggled their line for the game. Quigley came to quick tackle; Moon moved from quick tackle to strong tackle; Aaron West stepped into the quick guard position; Collupy moved from quick guard to strong guard. Only center Wilson and tight end Beery stayed put in their spots.

The Mules head to South Bend this Friday. South Bend defeated Chief Leschi 56-16 last week.

Junior quarterback Drew Rose can throw the ball and runs the option really well, Hansen said, and 185 lb. running back Ben Byington will be a handful. The line is big and loaded with juniors and seniors.