Two dominant backs in Preston Michel and Jack Strange are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Wilbur-Creston-Keller Wildcats will challenge the Naselle Comets at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Wilbur-Creston-Keller will be coming into the matchup with an undefeated record on the line.
Wilbur-Creston-Keller is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They blew past Garfield-Palouse 56-12. Considering the Wildcats have won 11 contests by more than 23 points this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Wilbur-Creston-Keller's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Michel, who rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 8.5 yards per carry, and Kallen Maioho, who gained 228 total yards and two touchdowns. Maioho was no stranger to the big play, connecting on a big catch that went for 64 yards.
Wilbur-Creston-Keller was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 489 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 187 rushing yards in 25 consecutive matches dating back to last season.
Wilbur-Creston-Keller didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off four passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Maioho. His rushing production has been exceptional as that marked his sixth straight game with at least 109 rushing yards.
Meanwhile, Naselle faced Pomeroy in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Saturday. Naselle walked away with a 60-50 victory over Pomeroy. The defensive woes were uncharacteristic for the Comets, who until this game were averaging 10.36 points allowed.
Strange continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, rushing for 300 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 12.5 yards per carry, and also picking up 96 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Those 300 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Caiden Burke was another key rusher, gaining 83 total yards and two touchdowns.
Naselle pushed their record up to 11-0 with the win, which was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories were due in large part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 57.0 points per game. As for Wilbur-Creston-Keller, their victory bumped their record up to 12-0.
Saturday's matchup might be decided in the on the ground. Wilbur-Creston-Keller has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 403 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Naselle struggles in that department as they've been averaging 286.6. It's looking like Saturday's contest might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Everything came up roses for Wilbur-Creston-Keller against Naselle in their previous matchup back in November of 2023, as the squad secured a 98-44 win. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Naselle's Jacob Lindstrom, who threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on only seven carries. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Wilbur-Creston-Keller still be able to contain Lindstrom? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
