CAMAS — Another high-quality opponent from Oregon.
Another Camas blowout.
The Papermakers, never afraid to take on the best from throughout the Northwest, opened the 2016 high school football season with a 42-10 victory over Central Catholic of Portland in front of a packed Doc Harris Stadium.
Jack Colletto, in his debut as the starting quarterback, threw one touchdown pass and rushed for two more.
“Really, I wanted to just go out there and have fun. Yes, it’s Friday night lights. Yes, I’ve been waiting all year for this. At the end of the day, you’re just trying to have fun. Play like you’re on the playground.”
Will Schultz rushed for two touchdowns. He had a sack on defense, as well.
“It just feels really amazing to represent your community and dominate with your brothers,” Schultz said.
The Camas defense was in typical form, holding the Rams out of the end zone until the closing minutes of the game.
“Everyone had first-game jitters, but we locked it down, did our job,” defensive lineman Cody Jackson said. “We did our best. The score shows that.”
Technically, this was a comeback win for the Papermakers. Central Catholic scored on the first possession of the game on a field goal.
Then it was all Camas.
Colletto completed his first eight passes. The Papermakers scored touchdowns on their first three drives. Colletto scored on a 3-yard run to finish the first drive. Michael Matthews punched one in from two yards out. Then Schultz scored his first TD of the season.
Just like that, it was 21-3.
“I had a lot of people help get me prepare for this,” Colletto said, adding that he was a little nervous but then remembered a couple of rules.
“Have fun and never hang my head when things go wrong,” he said. “Realize no single play is ever going to define who I am. It’s just about not being afraid to make mistakes.”
He had few mistakes in this one, completing 16 of 24 passes for 176 yards and no interceptions.
Drake Owen caught Colletto’s first TD pass as a starting quarterback. He called it a dime from his QB, which put him in perfect position to make a move for the end zone.
Colletto had 152 yards by halftime. The Papermakers did not need a passing attack in the second half.
The quarterback also led the team in rushing with 81 yards on 11 carries.
The Camas defense was on its game, too. Semisi Schultz had an interception, and Jackson and Kristian Hellberg added to the sack total.
“Getting a sack in this atmosphere, seeing the crowd go crazy, there’s nothing like it,” Jackson said. “Honestly, no better feeling in the world to get a big hit in this game.”
Will Schultz had the highlight play of this game, breaking free on a 37-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Camas has now won 42 consecutive regular-season games. Included in that stretch was a blowout victory over Jesuit, another traditional powerhouse from Oregon. This Central Catholic game reminded many Camas fans of that Jesuit contest, which opened the 2013 season.
“We didn’t know what to expect coming into this game,” Jackson said. “We knew they were going to be good.”
That just makes Camas look even better.
“Central Catholic is a great team. That was just a great team win for us,” Colletto added.
CAMAS 42, CENTRAL CATHOLIC 10
Central C. 3 0 0 7—10
Camas 7 21 7 7—42
First quarter
CC — Zach Simmons 31 FG
Cam — Jack Colletto 3 run (Andrew Boyle kick)
Second quarter
Cam — Michael Matthews 1 run (Boyle kick)
Cam — Will Schultz 2 run (Boyle kick)
Cam — Drake Owen 14 pass from Colletto (Boyle kick)
Third quarter
Cam — Schultz 37 run (Boyle kick)
Fourth quarter
Cam — Colletto 5 run (Boyle kick)
CC — Marcus Mildenberger 2 run (Simmons kick)
Individuals statistics
RUSHING — Central Catholic: Marcus Mildenberger 9-23, Jordan Stevens 5-9, Michael Abraham 3-19, DeAnder Smith 7-12, Cade Knighton 2-(minus 10), Team 1-(minus 2). Camas: Matthews 12-59, Colletto 11-81, Owen 1-9, Schultz 7-71, Tyler McClellan 8-51, Hunter Crandall 2-18, Elias Bashir 2-12.
PASSING — Central Catholic: Smith 6-11-0-63, Knighton 8-13-1-90. Camas: Colletto 16-24-0-176, Kyle Allen 1-1-0-12.
RECEIVING — Central Catholic: Trey Davis 5-30, Silas Starr 3-51, Jack Vecchi 4-63, Miles Jackson 1-5, Amari Hale 1-4. Camas: Ryan Rushall 4-30, Cooper McNatt 3-77, Owen 5-32, Schultz 1-10, Matthews 2-15, Dylan Ingram 1-12, Christian Nghiem 1-12.
