A Qwest for Camas

Camas vs. Timberline

Saturday, 3 p.m., at Qwest Field in Seattle

o Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens

o Free admission for children under the age of 5

o Parking is $10

o Purchase tickets from the CHS athletic office, open today through Friday between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Logan Grindy knows what it feels like to slide into home plate at Safeco Field, and score the winning run.

On Saturday, the Camas High School senior quarterback crosses the street for an opportunity to throw the football around inside Qwest Field.

“To go to places like that by yourself is a lot of fun,” Grindy said. “To be able to go and play with all your friends is pretty awesome.”

Grindy hopes to play catch with Jeremy Faulkner. The two Papermakers helped lead the Camas baseball team to second place at the state tournament inside Safeco. They hope the home of the Seattle Seahawks is just as inviting.

“A lot of people just want to go down and touch those fields. We get to play on them,” Faulkner said. “We are very fortunate for the opportunity play in front of that many people. It’s definitely an experience not a lot of kids get to do.”

Camas opens the 2010 football season at the Emerald City Kickoff Classic against Timberline High School of North Thurston. The game begins at 3 p.m.

“I don’t have any doubt that our kids will make our community proud,” said head coach Jon Eagle. “Just the chance to be in that venue and on that field, walking in the same footprints as an NFL player, is something these kids are never going to forget.

“I hope I don’t have to describe to people where we come from,” he added. “Our goal is to let everyone know where Camas is.”

It just gets better for the Papermaker football players. Thirteen days after playing at Qwest Field, they come home to a brand new Doc Harris Stadium that features more seats. Camas hosts Columbia River on that Friday night, Sept. 17. Kick off is at 7 p.m.

“The opening game in front of that crowd is going to be incredible,” Grindy said.

“I think people are just as excited for that game as they are for Qwest,” Faulkner said.

From the opening kickoff at Qwest Field, Faulkner and Grindy hope to see their Camas teammates steam rolling the competition.

“We want to come out hitting hard first. Show them that we’re a physical team, and that we can play with the best,” Faulkner said.

“Every time we go out there, we’re playing for our community,” Grindy said. “It’s such a privilege to wear Camas colors.”

And to play in two professional stadiums in three months.

“I’m going to remember these games for the rest of my life,” Grindy said. “Definitely going to have to good stories to tell. For sure.”