Camas back on track

Camas High’s running backs were rolling at Doc Harris Stadium Friday, Sept. 7, as the Papermakers got their winning football program back on track, beating the Hazen High Highlanders, 52-0.

After the game, which starred his three touchdowns, Camas junior running back Randy Yaacoub was quick to thank his team’s offensive linemen for making it possible.

“It’s all because of our ‘O line,’ and right before that first run up the middle, my coach told me to run someone over, and I was like, ‘That’s what I’ve got to do.’ So, I didn’t focus on anything except getting into that endzone,” Yaacoub said.

Back to winning after tough season opener

The Papermakers home crowd was music to the ears of Camas players and coaches, who experienced a nail-biter of a loss in their season-opener game Aug. 31 against Lincoln High Abes of Tacoma, Washington.

In their Aug. 31 opener game, Camas started slow and fell behind by four touchdowns before marching back in the second half behind sophomore quarterback Jake Blair who showed some impressive leadership skills. However, Blair’s pass for a 2-point conversion, which would have tied the game was intercepted by Julien Simon of Lincoln, one of the top college recruits in the country, to end the game.

The Sept. 7 match against Hazen put the Papermakers back in a comfortable spot.

“It’s good to get the Camas train back on the track,” Camas football head coach Jon Eagle said after the Hazen game.

Even after a 52-0 win, Eagle was quick to point out some things his team needs to work on during practices.

“We have to be more physical, and need to play smarter with confidence,” Eagle said. “We are thinking too much on the field, and not just reacting and playing.”

Camas continued to play two quarterbacks against Hazen, with sophomore Jake Blair taking more snaps than senior Andrew Boyle, who also is the team’s starting kicker. Blair continued to show leadership against Hazen, completing 5-11 passes, including a touchdown plus another rushing touchdown.

“I feel like I’ve played really good the past two games, and feel strong going into the next game,” Blair said.

Eagle still hasn’t decided on a starting quarterback, but said he really likes the depth the Papermakers have at that key position, calling it “two deep.”

“I think we have two guys that are very capable at quarterback, and I don’t know what the future holds,” Eagle said.

Track star thrills the crowd with his speed

By far, the loudest moment of the Sept. 7 game came when the Papermakers’ track star, Blake Deringer, intercepted a pass and showed off his 100-meter speed with a 45-yard sprint up the sidelines.

Deringer, who plays both offense and defense, had a second touchdown at running back.

“It was just sheer joy and excitement after that interception, having that amazing opportunity to go down the sidelines with our crowd going crazy,” Deringer said. “It was an awesome experience.”

The Camas senior said his team started slow last week because the team has a lot of new guys, who were not as confident as they need to be. But, in week two, he thought the young players really stepped up, and said the home crowd certainly didn’t hurt things.

“Our home crowd is always a big factor,” Deringer said. “Last week, we were moving a little slow on both sides of the ball. But, with our crowd behind us, we came out energized and excited.”