Naselle junior linebacker Jason Gardner (4) closes in on Taholah senior quarterback Jade Charley (9) as he scoops up a fumbled snap in the first quarter. 

NASELLE — The Naselle football team continued their warpath back to the 1B eight-man state playoffs in a 35-0 forfeit victory over Taholah last Friday, where the Comets (7-0) forced a quarterback-less Chitwhin team to wave the white flag in the first quarter.

Naselle slips in state rankings despite decisive win

Since a convincing 66-30 season-opening win over Darrington, the Comets (7-0) have taken a scorched-earth approach to their last six opponents, allowing only 12 points total — including shutting out the last four teams by a 274-0 margin.

The latest victim was Taholah (2-4), who endured a 35-0 first-quarter onslaught last Friday before forfeiting the game due to injuries with less than five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

Prior to the Taholah game, Naselle (7-0) had risen as high as third in the 54-team WIAA 1B state RPI rankings, but curiously slipped to seventh following the forfeit win. Remaining in the top four has been a goal of Naselle this season, which would give the Comets a first-round bye and allow them to host a state playoff game, eliminating the long travel they’ve endured in opening rounds in recent years.

In the (brief) game against Taholah — which lasted a total of 7 minutes and 17 seconds — the Comets were led offensively by junior quarterback Leith Chadwick (15) and senior running back Jack Strange (44), who each accounted for two touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Scott Henington (13) had the other score, a 20-yard reception from Chadwick, Naselle’s fifth and final score on only seven offensive plays.

Up next: Naselle (7-0) will travel to take on Ocosta (2-5) on Friday, Oct. 25.