Camas and Washougal football teams set the tone

Multiple snaps over the punter’s head doomed Central Catholic from the start, while the Camas machine continued to produce on the football field Friday at Hillsboro Stadium.

The defending Washington Class 4A state champion Papermakers defeated the Oregon 6A runner-up Rams 35-13.

New starting quarterback Kyle Allen completed 18 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns, and returning all-league receiver Drake Owen made 11 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns, to help Camas clinch its 15th win in a row and 51st consecutive victory during the regular season. Excluding the playoffs, the Papermakers have not lost a game since 2011.

Meanwhile in Seattle Friday, the Washougal High School football team made a statement with a 54-0 victory against West Seattle. The Panthers put up 44 points in the first quarter, and another 10 in the second period to set off a running clock in the second half.

Kade Coons collected 117 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Ian Harris returned a fumble for a touchdown and Jakob Davis sacked the ball handler in the end zone for a safety. Grant Lewis caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Stevens, and Stevens also kicked a 21-yard field goal. Nathan Tofell and Brevan Bea capped off the victory with rushing touchdowns.

Camas and Central Catholic were locked in a tight battle during the first half Friday. After the Papermakers forced the Rams to turn the ball over on downs, Camas ended up punting its first possession away. Central Catholic attempted to do the same after the next series failed, but the snap sailed way over the punter’s head and he dove on top of it in the end zone to give the Papermakers two points instead of a potential six on a fumble recovery.

Once again, Camas clamped down on defense and forced Central Catholic to punt. And, once again the ball was hiked over the punter’s head and bounced out of the back of the end zone. This gave the Papermakers two more points. At the end of the first quarter, it was 4-0 Camas.

The spread got back to normal after the next possession, as Andrew Boyle kicked a 22-yard field goal to give Camas a 7-0 advantage. Owen then caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Allen, following a 26-yard run by Will Schultz, to put the Papermakers up 14-0.

Central Catholic finally completed a drive down the field and scored a touchdown to get on the board. The Rams also forced the Papermakers to punt before halftime.

The momentum shifted back in Camas’ favor with 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. All it took was two passes between Allen and Owen, including a 57-yard strike for a touchdown. After the Papermakers forced the Rams to turn the ball over on downs again, J’Michael Shelton snagged a 17-yard touchdown pass from Allen to give them a 21-point cushion.

Central Catholic scored one more touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Isaiah Abdul blocked the extra-point kick for Camas.

Over the next seven minutes, the Papermakers proved they had a lot left in the tank by driving 80 yards into the end zone. After fighting for several yards and earning first downs, Schultz completed the surge with a 14-yard sprint across the goal line for a touchdown with 58 seconds left on the clock.

Both of the Camas and Washougal football teams set the tone for what they hope will be memorable seasons. The Panthers host Castle Rock Friday, at Fishback Stadium, while the Papermakers travel to Sherwood, Oregon. Both games begin at 7 p.m.