Fast start for Camas in Sherwood

A 20-point first quarter propelled the Papermaker football team to a 24-12 victory against Sherwood Friday, in Sherwood, Oregon.

Ja’Michael Shelton made his first varsity start at receiver count for Camas. The 6-foot, 4-inch senior leaped up, caught the football, wrapped out the defender, held on to the ball, landed on his feet and kept going for a 44-yard touchdown.

“I was hoping for pass interference or something, but I ended up catching it. ‘Oh, let me get in the end zone as fast as I could,'” Shelton said. “We got pushed all the way back to the 1-yard line. I was just trying to get us out as far as I could. Just do anything I could to help us out.”

Head coach Jon Eagle said it was a play he’s seen Shelton make in practice, but he was still impressed.

“There are not a lot of defensive linemen that can split out receiver and catch touchdown passes,” Eagle added. “That’s pretty unique.”

Shelton finished the game with six catches for 137 yards and that touchdown.

“I’ll remember the team effort and the catch. I don’t think many people are going to let me forget about that,” he said. “It was my first game starting on offense and defense. I’ll definitely remember that.”

Taylor Adams blocked a punt for the Papermakers on the 7-yard line. Camas turned right around and scored a touchdown to establish a 20-0 advantage before the end of the first quarter.

“It was just something we had been looking at all week and I was just fortunate enough to be able to make the play,” Adams said.

“(Central Catholic and Sherwood) are two good teams that should contend for a state championship (in Oregon),” he added. “We may be under-sized, but if we just play as a team and play for our brothers, then we’ll be alright.”

Running back Will Schultz piled on 134 rushing yards for the Papermakers and two touchdowns. He capped off the first drive of the game with a 4-yard sprint across the goal line. He also broke away for a 59-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Camas quarterback Kyle Allen completed 16 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Rushall added eight catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Eagle said the offensive linemen opened things up for the quarterback, running back and receivers.

“Our protection from week one to two has gotten better,” he added. “I’m real happy with our tight ends. Even though they haven’t caught a lot of passes, they’re blocking to help our run game.”

The Papermakers took lots of time off the clock during a 70-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Going for it on fourth down in front of the goal, Semisi Schultz dove over the linemen and landed in the end zone for a touchdown.

Camas continues to tighten the clamps on defense. One to two Papermakers get to the man with the ball, and then two more join in on the tackle from all sides.

“Coach Kielty drills it into us to pursue,” Adams said. “So now, it’s kind of a staple of our defense that we’re really proud of.”

Camas (2-0) hosts Davis High School, of Yakima, Friday, at Doc Harris Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

“We’re very excited. There’s no fans like our fans. We’ve been waiting since last year to play back at Doc,” Adams said. “We just want to play hard and play in a way that makes our town proud.”