NEAH BAY — The surprising Neah Bay Red Devils are one win away from the Class B-8 state football championship game.
The Red Devils, 4-3, take on undefeated Columbia School of Hunters, 11-0, in the Lions’ backyard in Pasco in the state semifinals Saturday.
Because Columbia is one of at least three schools in the state with the same name, many coaches and officials simply call the school Hunters.
The game starts at noon in Edgar Brown Stadium.
The Columbia Lions are ranked No. 2 in state. And for good reason.
“Columbia-Hunters is as tough as it gets,” Neah Bay coach Nathan Tyler said.
“A couple of coaches who have seen them play told me that they run the ball down your throat, and they are a well-disciplined team.”
Hunters has one of the best B-8 lines in the state, according to Tyler.
“They almost solely play power football by pulling guard,” Tyler said. “They rarely pass. They do nothing fancy. They play well-disciplined, no-mistakes-at-all football.”
In contrast, Neah Bay beat Wishkah Valley 36-26 last week in the quarterfinals despite playing mistake-prone football.
The Red Devils had seven penalties for 98 yards, most of them clipping penalties. They had three touchdowns called back because of penalties.
