Ilwaco, Naselle cross country

Area cross country teams are off and running this season, with local runners garnering top-20 finishes at the Three-Course Challenge last weekend at Camp Rilea.

A trip to Hoquiam Thursday on Sept. 12 saw Ilwaco and Naselle cross country squads competing in the same race. Ilwaco freshman Elsa Linquist placed fourth behind a trio of Montesano runners with junior teammates Sophia Bittner eighth and Nora Soule 14th. Kenzie Larsen, an eighth-grader, and Karsen Green, a freshman, were the highest placing Naselle girls, 13th and 16th in a field of 46.

Comet sophomore Caesar Garcia was the highest-placing boy, coming ninth in a field of 79. Ilwaco senior Sammy Lloyd was the highest Fisherman finisher, some way down the pack.

Next for both schools was the Three-Course Challenge at Camp Rilea in Warrenton on Saturday, Sept. 21, where the huge number of students registered meant they were divided into difficult, moderate or easier courses. Ilwaco’s Linquist (23:35.0), placing 18th on the difficult course, and teammate Sophia Bittner (24:12.8), also 18th on the moderate course, were the highest finishers in the crowded races, which attracted runners from all over Oregon and Southwest Washington.

The season continues for Ilwaco with a meet at North Beach on Thursday, Sept. 26, then a trip to Blue Lake in Fairview, Ore., near Portland on Sept. 28. Next for Naselle is a Sept. 28 trip to a scenic course around Lake Sacajawea in Longview.

Ilwaco football

The Ilwaco football team remained unbeaten on the season after edging out a 28-20 non-league home win over Wahkiakum (0-3) last Friday.

The Fishermen were led by junior fullback Corbin Johnson (23), who rushed for a game-high 123 yards and two touchdowns. Ilwaco junior running back Cody Miller (7) added 62 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Fishermen freshman quarterback Haddox Hazen (1) completed 4 of 7 passes for 66 yards, with tight ends Wade Smith (21) and Robert Sanders (82) as the primary targets.

Ilwaco, now 3-0, is off to their best start in nearly 20 years. The last time the Fishermen started the season with three straight wins was 2005, when Ilwaco reached 6-0 before finishing 6-5, ending with a playoff loss to Friday Harbor.

Ilwaco has has been perfect through their nonleague schedule this season, beating Toutle Lake (16-6), Winlock (58-12) and Wahkiakum (28-20). The Fishermen will face several league tests over the next few weeks, with matchups against Morton White Pass (2-1), Forks (1-2), (Adna 1-2), Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (1-2) and Napavine (2-1).

Up next: Ilwaco (3-0) will host Morton White Pass (2-1) on Friday, Sept. 27, the first of three straight home games for the Fishermen.

Raymond/South Bend football

The Raymond/South Bend football team slipped to 1-2 on the season after losing to Hoquiam (1-2) 36-28 last Friday.

The Ravens rushed for 245 yards, including a team-high 105 yards coming from senior quarterback Chris Quintana (4). Ravens junior Chris Banker (25) added 70 yards rushing and one touchdown while senior Isaac Schlueter (15) accounted for 50 yards one touchdown on the ground. Schlueter also had two touchdown receptions. Raymond sophomore DB Adam Mora (12) recorded a game-high 11 tackles.

Up next: Raymond/South Bend (1-2) will travel to take on Adna (1-2) in a league matchup Friday, Sept. 27.

Pe Ell/Willapa Valley football

The Pe Ell/Willapa Valley football team fell to (1-2) on the season after losing to Toledo (3-0) 48-29 last Friday.

Up next: Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (1-2) will host Lake Rosevelt (0-3) Friday, Sept. 27.

Naselle volleyball

The Naselle volleyball team (3-4) won two of their last four matches, including straight-set wins over Wishkah Valley and Mary M. Knight, before losing in five sets to Willapa Valley (4-1) and Onalaska (4-1).

Up next: Naselle (3-4) will travel to take on Wahkiakum (4-0) on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Willapa Valley volleyball

The Willapa Valley volleyball team climbed to 4-0 before suffering their first loss of the season last week to Taholah (4-0) in four sets. The Vikings, currently 3-1 in the Coastal 1B Division, remain in second place behind first-place Taholah.

Up next: Willapa Valley (4-1) will travel to take on Mary M. Knight (3-4) Thursday, Sept. 26.

Ilwaco volleyball

After notching their first win of the season last week over visiting Clallam Bay, the Lady Fishermen volleyball team (1-3) lost in straight sets to Hoquiam (4-1) on Monday, Sept. 23 in Ilwaco.

Up next: Ilwaco (1-3) will travel to take on Clallam Bay (0-2) Thursday, Sept. 26.

Ilwaco soccer

The Ilwaco girls soccer team fell to 0-3 on the season after suffering two shutout losses last week, including 6-0 to Warrenton and 12-0 to powerhouse Ocosta (4-0).

“Many of our players are new to the sport but we are patient and working together to get stronger, and we will,” said first-year head coach Cindy Guzman.

“This team is a brand-new unit and once they get the momentum rolling, we are going to be a great team. I believe in them.”

Up next: Ilwaco (0-3) will host Astoria (2-2) on Thursday, Sept. 26.

South Bend soccer

The South Bend girls soccer team opened the season with a 5-1 loss to Onalaska.

Up next: South Bend (0-1) will travel to take on Hoquiam (0-4) on Wednesday, Sept. 25.