Wahkiakum football season at an end

Wahkiakum High School football season has wrapped up, with the final game of the season coming against Neah Bay in the first round of the state playoffs. The Mules had a hard time dealing with the Red Devil's high-octane offense, ultimately getting knocked out in a 70-14 loss.

The game always seemed like it would be a challenge for Wahkiakum, as they had previously played and lost to Neah Bay earlier in the season 78-24. Coming into the Nov. 15 game, the Mules were seeded #12 with an 8-3 overall record. The Red Devils came in as the #5 overall seed, with a 9-1 record, that lone defeat coming at the hands of #1 overall ranked Liberty Christian (Richland).

Wahkiakum played away at Forks High School as the underdogs and entered off the back of a seven-game winning streak, but sadly, couldn't quite get things going in the first half.

Despite touchdowns from wideout Gage Robinson and Mason Waldeck, the Mules entered halftime down 14-40. Robinson finished the game with six catches for 80 yards, while Waldeck managed four catches for 87 yards. Unfortunately, the margin would only widen in the second half as the Red Devils continued to pile on the pressure. Wahkiakum was shut out in the second half, while Neah Bay still put up another 30 points.

Luckily for the Mules, they have a young roster with plenty of room to grow. The team will only lose three seniors this season, and there is still time for junior quarterback Jayden Stoddard to lead another playoff charge next year.

Stoddard has been excellent this season, both on the ground and with his throws, but Neah Bay's defense proved to be stingy and turnover-hungry. The defense kept Stoddard from performing with his usual efficiency en route to a 15 for 35 throwing day for 135 yards, with a touchdown and three interceptions. He did contribute 49 rushing yards on nine carries as well.

For a quarterback with a lot of promise, this game will hopefully be the motivation that he and the team need to enter next season, ready to put together another strong winning season and another chance to get into the playoffs.