The road back to the Tacoma Dome is almost complete. The Camas Mean Machine flattened Arlington 62-6 in the first 4A state tournament football game in school history Saturday, at Doc Harris Stadium. "We played good defense, ran the ball well, made timely passes and converted some big third downs," said head coach Jon Eagle. "We were able to be balanced and get everybody involved. That's the trick."
A shootout loss knocked the Camas girls soccer team out of the state tournament last season. When backed into a similar situation Saturday, the Papermakers earned redemption. Camas defeated Mead 3-1 on penalty kicks in the state quarterfinals Saturday, at Doc Harris Stadium. The win gives the Papermakers a golden opportunity to play in the Final Four. "Not very many people thought we could make it this far our first year in 4A, but we're in the semifinals. That shows how much heart we all have," said senior captain Jamie Carter. "I'm really excited to be going to the Final Four with such a great group of girls. It definitely makes senior year memorable."
A disappointing loss to Mead in the quarterfinals Friday night could have spelled the end for Camas, but the Papermakers rallied to beat Union in five sets Saturday morning and then swept Puyallup to earn a fifth-place trophy from their first 4A state volleyball tournament. "I am very proud of the girls for playing to the best of their ability after losing such a tough match the night before," said head coach Julie Nidick. "This was such an amazing season. These 12 girls together are such a close knit group. Making those memories at state and bringing home hardware was very important. Especially for the seniors."
The Camas cross country, football, soccer and volleyball teams had some big accomplishments Saturday. The girls cross country team clinched second place at the Nike Cross National Northwest Regional to qualify for nationals, the football team thumped Arlington 62-6 in the first round at state, the girls soccer team defeated Mead in the shootout to qualify for the final four and the volleyball team captured fifth place in the state tournament.
The Camas football team is in its first 4A state tournament after a convincing 43-12 victory against South Kitsap Friday, at Doc Harris Stadium. Nate Beasley rushed for 178 yards and scored three touchdowns. His first trip to the end zone came on a 33-yard run following an interception by Zach Eagle. "It's do or die now. From that first play on, I just had a different mentality," Beasley said. "We're driving on the road built by the guys who played here before us, while at the same time creating our own path for future classes to follow. And we're doing all of this in 4A."
The Camas girls cross country runners could see for miles at the top of the mountain. The largest classification in the state proved to be an easier obstacle for the Papermakers to climb. And for the second year in a row, they stood on the podium as state champions. "We remember what happened last year, and all the hard work it took to get here, and we just worked harder," said senior captain Megan Napier. "We all have quotes written on our legs. Mine says, 'I run because I can and for those who can not.' It reminds me that I am running for Camas and everybody who has been a part of this program."
As he crested that last hill in the state championship race, Sean Eustis saw his destiny. There were two tuckered out runners lagging to the finish line, but the Washougal High School senior had more to prove to himself, his coaches and his teammates than just sixth place. "Border Clash is top five. That's where I wanted to go," Eustis said. "In my mind, I kept thinking 'Border Clash, Border Clash, Border Clash' with each step."
The Union Titans brought plenty of tricks to the Camas warehouse on Halloween, but they couldn't scare the Papermakers. Camas defeated their Lacamas Lake rivals 17-25, 25-13, 25-23, 19-25, 15-9 in a volleyball thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats watching the Papermakers rise from the grave and grab the 4A district championship. "It's the most adrenaline I've ever felt," said sophomore outside hitter Lauren Harris. "We just wanted to get to everything for the team. I think that really showed on the court."
The Camas cross country team captured the state championship, and the football, soccer, swimming and volleyball teams qualified for state their first year in the 4A.
The Union Titans brought plenty of tricks to the Camas warehouse on Halloween, but they couldn't scare the Papermakers. Camas defeated their Lacamas Lake rivals 17-25, 25-13, 25-23, 19-25, 15-9 in a volleyball thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats watching the Papermakers rise from the grave and grab the 4A district championship.
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