The fire hydrants on 39th Street in Washougal have been painted orange and black. What about the school bus? The Washougal High School football team earned its third victory away from home Friday, beating Clatskanie, Ore., 24-8. The road trip continues this week, as the Panthers travel to Longview Friday for their first league game against R.A. Long. Kickoff is at 7 p.m., at Longview Memorial Stadium.
Brent Hill, Addison Owen and the rest of the Camas High School football players wanted to make a statement Friday night. When two of the best teams from different leagues played for Clark County bragging rights at Doc Harris Stadium, it was the Papermakers who rolled along to a 28-12 victory over Skyview. Hill breezed past the defenders downfield, made an over-the-shoulder catch, and took the football into the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Logan Grindy.
Facing defending state champion Columbia River at the new Doc Harris Stadium Thursday gave the Camas High School girls soccer players plenty of motivation. Head coach Roland Minder had only a few words of inspiration, but they were important. "Listen up," he said in the huddle. "Nobody comes into your house and pushes you around."
Since joining the 2A Greater St. Helen's League four years ago, the Washougal High School boys tennis team has been chasing Mark Morris and R.A. Long. Last week, the Panthers beat both rivals for the first time. It is a feeling of satisfaction for seniors Erik Ackerman, Eyan Cagle, Jacob Eagle, Patrick McCarthy, Chris Norton, Brian Price, Peter Quinanola and Nico Severich, and coaches Eric and Linda Balholm. "We had opportunities to beat them last year, but we always seemed to tie and lose by sets," said Eric Balholm. "We've come so close, and now we're finally doing it."
Camas clubs Skyview 28-12 in a scuffle of Greater St. Helen's League powerhouses. Washougal gets back on track with a 24-8 victory over Clatskanie. The floor is yours, Camas and Washougal football fans. Tell us what you think about the 4-0 Papermakers and the 3-1 Panthers. Did the Camas, Skyview game live up to the hype? Is Washougal for real?
The opening kickoff at the brand new Doc Harris Stadium was just as the Papermakers dreamed it would be, with thousands of fans screaming at the top of their lungs and sheets of rain falling from the sky. "I'm going to look back at this night when I'm 80," said senior lineman Eric Clay. "This is something I'm going to love and cherish forever." There was not an empty seat on the Camas side Friday, as the Papermakers thumped league rival Columbia River 42-6. Senior quarterback Logan Grindy ignited the offense with three touchdowns. Junior running back Zack Marshall scored twice on a 96-yard kick return and a 47-yard touchdown run.
Ellie Boon had a good excuse for missing the first round of the Washougal High School girls soccer practices. She was kicking the ball around with the best of the nation in the Olympic Development Program. That did not excuse the 2009 2A Greater St. Helen's League Offensive Player of the Year from getting in the mandatory amount of practices to become eligible for the Panthers. Boon did not expect anything less. She wanted to be ready in time for Washougal to face league rival Hockinson Thursday, in front of her hometown at Fishback Stadium.
Rainy skies and an outdoor swimming pool did not bode well for the spectators, but the participants barely noticed. The Camas and North County girls swimmers from Battle Ground, Hockinson and Prairie were too busy racing Evergreen, Heritage, Mountain View and Union. Before the first event began under dark clouds, Camas and North County head coach had just a few words of advice.
A rowdy crowd at Fishback Stadium went wild Friday, when Colton Sullivan and Sam O'Hara hooked up for another Washougal touchdown two minutes into the third quarter. Up by two, the young and ferocious Panthers galloped to the goal line again. It appeared nothing would stop Washougal from scoring again, except for a yellow flag and a holding penalty.
Grand opening of Doc Harris Stadium draws more than 4,000 football fanatics, to watch the Papermakers plow Columbia River 42-6
