The Papermakers pounded the Union Titans into submission Friday night, at McKenzie Stadium. Camas became the first football team to shut out Union since the school opened in 2007.
As if seeing a bear wasn't an eye-opener, the Camas High School cross country runners gained valuable experience from the Stanford and Richland invitational meets. "I never thought I would be going all the way down to Stanford just to run in an invite. It's kind of like being in a dream. I'm wondering when I’m going to wake up," said senior Andrew Duffy. "Then there's this other side of me that realizes we are this good. It comes from having great coaches and teammates you can trust. They bring out the best in you."
The Camas High School girls swimming team creamed the competition at the Kelso Invitational Saturday. The Papermakers won the 15-team meet by 365 points. Anna Panebianco, Allison Bourquin, Julieann Reed and Sierra Colletto finished in first place for the Papermakers in the 200-meter medley relay with a time of 2 minutes, 3.7 seconds. Colletto, Reed, Panebianco and Brittany Worley grabbed first in the 200 freestyle relay (1:49.99). Panebianco captured first in the 200 individual medley (2:26.65) and the 500 freestyle (5:34.45). Reed earned first in the 100 backstroke (1:03.40) and second in the 50 free (25.84). "Winning the meet gave us a lot of confidence. The girls swam well and got more district cuts," said head coach Mike Bemis. "Our depth is coming up. We might be one of the biggest teams at districts. How well we do is going to depend on our depth." The Papermakers only have a few more meets before districts to make their marks. Camas faces Evergreen, Heritage, Mountain View and Union Thursday, at Cascade Fitness Center. Events start at 4 p.m. Camas and Union are both undefeated going into this meet. The winner will be the league champion.
The Camas High School football team crushed the Evergreen Plainsmen 77-28 Friday, at Doc Harris Stadium. The Papermakers manufactured 63-7 advantage at halftime.
There was nowhere for Skyview to hide Friday night. The Camas football community came to play. More than 5,000 Papermakers, both young and old, filled the grandstand at Doc Harris Stadium to be a part of the first 4A Greater St. Helens League football game in Camas history. The Papermakers rocked the Storm like a hurricane, to the tune of a 42-17 final score. Camas put the defending league champions away with 28-0 scoring drive in the second half. "It's such a surreal moment to be out on that field in front of so many fans. I didn't realize how many people were there until they surrounded us during the Camas fight song. We were rubbing elbows with everybody in the community," said senior linebacker John Norcross. "There's nothing else like that. It was such an awesome feeling. I wish everyone could experience something like that."
The Camas girls soccer players had been waiting years to defeat Skyview and Battle Ground. They accomplished both feats last week. Emily Ponce and Jamie Carter delivered the goals that helped the Papermakers trip up the Storm 2-1 Sept. 25, at Doc Harris Stadium. It was the first time the Camas girls beat Skyview since Sept. 16, 2008. Freshman wing Anyssa DeVera mailed the perfect cross to Ponce in the middle. The senior blasted the ball past the opposing goalkeeper and into the back of the net for a goal in the 14th minute. "I got the right touch on it and put it in the far post," Ponce said. "Against a tough team like Skyview, it definitely set the tone. It was great to watch the ball go off my foot and into the net, and then turn around and see everybody cheering."
There's a new volleyball power on the block in the 4A Greater St. Helens League, and they call themselves Papermakers. Camas introduced itself to the largest classification in the state last week by torching Skyview 25-18, 25-19, 25-16 and Union 25-16, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16. "These were huge wins in terms of setting the bar high," said head coach Julie Nidick. "Our goal is to win league and push from there. Obviously, these girls want to get back to state. This was the first step."
The Washougal High School football team left too much time on the clock Friday, at Fishback Stadium. The Panthers saw their 17-point advantage evaporate in the fourth quarter on three touchdown runs by Jacob Yordy. Washougal still had the will to take the football down the field and score a touchdown for their hometown, but they couldn't keep Yordy from scoring his fourth touchdown in the final quarter. The Lumberjacks escaped the clutches of the Panthers with a 34-31 victory. "The kids wanted to win the game for their town and their school. They left their hearts on that field," said head coach Bob Jacobs. "When we retook the lead on that last drive, that was a great character check for our kids. The place was electrified at that point. We just couldn't make that last stop."
Redemption received. Respect earned. The Camas High School football players achieved both of those goals by defeating Lakes 53-14 Friday, at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. The Papermakers dedicated their victory to the members of the 2010 team, who won the first state playoff game in school history before losing to Lakes in the quarterfinals. "It was a special group because they took Camas further than it had ever gone before. We all looked up to them," said junior offensive lineman Drew Clarkson. "This was the toughest team we have gone up against this season, but we went out there and beat them for all those guys who had lost that playoff game." Jon Eagle was at a loss for words during the post-game huddle. He said this was the best team performance he has seen in 30 years of coaching.
What a way to reinvigorate the Camas and Union high school sports rivalry. Braeden Campbell and Brian Humphreys delivered back-to-back birdie putts for the Papermakers on the fifth hole Thursday at Camas Meadows, but the Titans walked off the golf course with the team victory in hand by one stroke. "This would have been a good match to win," said Camas head coach Ed Givens. "We had it for awhile. We just let it slip away." Campbell led Camas with an even par round of 36. Humphreys followed with a 37, and Brett Ball and David Wright both shot a 39. Eddie Abellar earned a 37 for Union, Ian Spicer added a 38 and Tyler Copp rolled in a 39. Will Kellogg, the sixth golfer on the team, tipped the scale in favor of the Titans by shooting a 36. The final score was Union 150, Camas 151.
dan.trujillo@camaspostrecord.com
