1B Prep Football: Naselle lets WCK slip away in State semis

The End — Comets take early lead, fall 52-28 on the road to Wildcats

A Naselle’ player brings down Wilbur-Creston-Keller’s Kallen Maioho while Eli Gardner (9) and Leith Chadwick (15) look on during a 1B State football semifinal, Saturday, Nov. 30, at Lion’s Field in Moses Lake. The Comets lost 52-28. — Photo by Byrne Bennett for Blast Zone Media

By Byrne Bennett for Blast Zone Media

MOSES LAKE – After going 11-2 last season, Naselle set its sights on winning this year’s 1B football State championship. To do that, they had to get past Wilbur-Creston-Keller in the semifinals on Saturday back at Lion’s Field in Moses Lake.

It was a rematch from last year’s quarterfinal matchup and it pitted Naselle running back Jack Strange against WCK running back Preston Michel. While both of those players performed to expectations, it turned out Michel had a more effective sidekick on the day.

WKC’s Michel Preston runs the football through a big hole in the Naselle defense while Naselle’s Kyle Pakenen (87) gives chase during a 52-28 loss in a 1B State football semifinals game, Saturday, Nov. 30, in Moses Lake. — Photo by Byrne Bennett for Blast Zone Media

After the Comets chiseled out an early lead, Kallen Maioho and Michel the Wildcats came back to win the game 52-28 to advance to Husky Stadium to play for the championship trophy next week.

“Today we had some opportunities, but their extra possessions on the recovered onside kicks was devastating for us,” Naselle coach Kevin McNulty said. “They came out in the second half and put it to us. They got momentum on their side and that was the difference in the ball game.”

The loss comes one week after the Comets defeated Pomeroy 60-50 much closer to home in the quarterfinals.