3A GSHL football: Columbia River 40, Hudson’s Bay 0

Columbia River took care of business on Friday night to set up a winner-take-all game next week against Mountain View for the 3A Greater St. Helens League title.

Both through the air and on the ground, River quarterback Jonathan Branson was able to do damage against Hudson’s Bay to help the Chieftains get out to a 27-0 first half lead. Branson kicked off the scoring with 19-yard pass to Nathan Hawthorne with 4:47 left in the first quarter.

On senior night, the Chieftains made sure their last game at their campus stadium this season as high school students went down as a win. (Next week Columbia River is hosting Mountain View at Kiggins Bowl.)

Branson finished with a combined 217 yards rushing and passing but was quick to credit his team.

“It felt good to put up the numbers but that comes with the team. Our line and my brother (Jayson) set up the running game better for me,” Branson said.

Branson said that the Chieftains will be ready for their big match-up against Mountain View next week.

“Our coaches always prepare us,” he said. “We were in this position last year so we know what it’s like.”

COLUMBIA RIVER 40, HUDSON’S BAY 0

Hudson’s Bay 0 0 0 0– 0

Columbia River 7 20 6 7–40

First quarter

CR — Nathan Hawthorne 19 pass from Jonathan Branson (Nathan Pyles kick)

Second quarter

CR — Holden Fielding 26 pass from Branson (Pyles kick)

CR — Nathan Jaskiemy 6 run (Pyles kick)

CR — Jayson Branson 3 run (kick blocked)

Third quarter

CR — Dante Coleman 1 pass from Branson (kick blocked)

Fourth quarter

CR — Vincent Daniels 1 run (Garrett McKee kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Bay: Bryan Hopster 6-8, Ane Sipaia 5-6, Stone Sabourin 8-(minus 6), Ryder Waite 5-11. River: Jay. Branson 12-51, Jon. Branson 7-79, Hawthorne 1-6, Jaskiemy 4-37, Gabe Evenson 2-18, Daniels 2-4, McKee 4-22, Wes Hartung 1-(minus 4)

PASSING — Bay: Sabourin 9-20-2-101. River: Branson 9-13-138, Evenson 3-6-21, McKee 1-1-9.

RECEIVING — Bay: Name not available 2-39, Anthony Sanchez 1-10, Hopster 1-2, Tristan Maxwell 1-5, Name not available 1-2, DeWayne Whitley 2-24, Waite 1-9. River: Jason Harmsen 1-(minus 1), Hawthorne 1-19, Jay. Branson 1-3, Rory Menegat 1-15, Fielding 2-36, Russell Rose 1-4, Marcus Gaylor 3-36, Coleman 3-20, Jack Scantel 1-7, Codie Schoene 1-9, Name not available 1-25