Westside Stories

On September 13, the football stadium at Wahkiakum High School was brimming with fans, as parents, students, alumni, and members of the community filled the stands to watch the Naselle Comets take on the Wahkiakum Mules in the KM Trophy 2024. It was the perfect evening for the rival teams to go head-to-head for the first time in several years. A slight chill in the air and a bit of mist was perfect football weather.

Going into the third quarter, the Comets held a significant lead. In their first offensive play, a pass play was called, but high school senior and quarterback Jacob Lindstrom didn't find an open receiver to throw the ball to. Like many times before, Jacob tucked the ball and ran up the middle towards the end zone. He had a nice run, however, unlike the times before, things didn't go as planned.

"It was a good game. Obviously, we were pretty hyped. We came out in the third quarter, and I kept it on a pass play up the middle. I went at the kid and he kind of went off to the side. I landed sideways, he landed on top of me, and I felt a crunch," Jacob recalled his memory of the play. "Right away I knew I broke my collarbone cause that's my third time breaking the same one."

The game paused momentarily to allow Jacob to be taken off the field. He was helped to one of the two ambulances stationed next to the field to be evaluated. He spent the remainder of the game pacing the sidelines with his arm in a sling watching his team as they soundly defeated the Mules 72-6.

"It was pretty tough to swallow," Jacob expressed his feelings after visiting the doctor to find he was out for at least 8 weeks of the season. He took it in stride and took the time to let it heal. There was hope he would be allowed to play in the playoffs if all went well.

As the playoffs approached, Jacob was able to return to practice. "I was doing everything the doctor said I could. Doing no contact football stuff. And then I just reached over to block a ball, and I felt a little crunch again. I thought it was maybe something else, but the doctor pretty much said if it hurts by today, it's probably a hairline fracture."

On Saturday, Jacob watched from the sidelines as his team took to the field against Moses Lake Christian in the 1B opening round District 4 playoffs at South Bend High School. Even though he wasn't in uniform, as team captain, he was still one of four players to be on the field at the start of the game for the coin toss. His leadership amongst his teammates was obvious as he encouraged them throughout the game. The Naselle Comets defeated Moses Lake 70-0.

During his four-year high school football career, Jacob has rushed for 3,318 yards, averaging 12.3 yards per carry, along with passing for 3,875 yards, completing 64.8% of his passes and 55 TD's.

Coach Kevin McNulty stated, "Jacob is a team leader and is really missed on the defensive side of the ball as well. He is not only intelligent in the classroom, but he understands and is passionate about athletics. He is a team captain and was a communicator on defense."

In the halls of Naselle High School, Jacob is known as the quarterback, prom king, star athlete, and the top of his class. From the outside looking in, it sounds like he could be the stereotypical cliché in a Hollywood movie; an arrogant, self-centered, bullying jock. But Jacob is the furthest thing from that generalization.

I chose to write about Jacob for my first Student Spotlight piece because of my personal interactions with him. As the Treasurer of the Finnish American Folk Festival, which owns the Naselle Community Center building, I pay the bills for the organization. Jacob has mowed the lawn at the community center for the last two summers. Each time he completes the task, he texts me to let me know he is finished so I can send him payment. For a teenager, I was pleasantly surprised to receive polite and courteous texts written in complete sentences. Our interactions left an impression on me.

He has made an impression on a lot of people. Science Teacher Sylvia Hoagland said, "He's an exceptional student, but he's more than that, he's an exceptional person. He's kind to everybody, not just his friends. Not just the people that might get him somewhere. He's kind to the students that other students maybe aren't so kind to. He is a great athlete, but that's not the part of him that shines to me. The part that shines to me is his character."

Principal Justin Laine also had high praise for Jacob, "He is a truly exceptional student-athlete. He will very likely graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average and as the valedictorian of his class. He is an extremely hard worker in and out of the classroom, on and off the athletic field. He is consistently recognized as the top student in each of his academic classes at our annual evening of excellence. In addition, he has earned all-league recognition in football, basketball, and baseball while making key contributions to our back-to-back state baseball championships. Beyond his academic and athletic achievements, Jacob is a tremendous role model and outstanding leader who leads by example. He is very humble, soft spoken, and always respectful to those around him."

With several more months in his high school career, I suspect this won't be the last time we will see Jacob's name in the Eagle.

Naselle Comets Football in 2nd round playoffs

This Saturday, November 23, at 1 p.m., the Naselle Comets football team (10-0) will take on Pomeroy (10-1) in the 1B second round of District 4 playoffs. The game will be held at South Bend High School. This is another great opportunity to fill the stands with Comet fans!

Westside Happenings

November

23 – Naselle Community Center Christmas Bazaar – 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

December

7 – Holiday Bazaar at Johnson Park – 12-4 p.m.

8 – Christmas Concert @ Deep River Church – 1 p.m.

8 – Naselle Community Center Soup Supper & Tree Lighting - 3-6 p.m.

10 – Grays River Grange Christmas Party - 6:30 p.m.

15 – FAFF Tour of Homes – 12-3:30 p.m.

15 – 3rd Annual Naselle Lighted Christmas Parade – 5 p.m.

15 – Appelo Archives Pictures with Santa – after the parade

18 – Rosburg Hall Senior Lunch Christmas potluck – 12 p.m.

To include an event on the calendar or to ask a question, please contact me at writerlisayeager@outlook.com. You can also follow me on Facebook @ Writer Lisa Yeager.