BATTLE GROUND — Columbia River broke open a tight game in the span of three plays Friday on the way to a 27-3 victory over Battle Ground at District Stadium.
Leading 7-3 midway through the third quarter, the Chieftains’ Cameron Jay recovered a fumble at River’s 45-yard line. One play later, they were at the Battle Ground 25, following a 30-yard pass from Clayton Frank to Ian Christianson. One play after that, they were in the end zone, following a 25-yard strike from Frank to Christianson.
“It was the same play,” said Christianson, a senior who to that point had two catches for minus-1 yard. “The safety was coming up and we took advantage of it. It gave our offense some momentum.”
The Chieftains needed it, as they nursed a slim lead. Columbia River opened the scoring with a 5-yard drive in the first quarter that was set up by an Anthony Nelson interception. Battle Ground followed with a 25-yard field goal Mac Brandenburger in the second quarter.
But following Christianson’s score, the Chieftains were able to put the game away. Remick Kawawaki added a 9-yard TD run later in the third, two plays after he broke loose for a 30-yard gain.
Kawawaki, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound sophomore, finished with 102 yards on 11 carries.
Columbia River closed the scoring in the fourth quarter when Terrence Joshua ran 43 yards with a punt that had been blocked by Thomas Jacobson.
“Considering how inexperienced we are as far as starters and kids who have played a lot of varsity, you’re always apprehensive,” Columbia River coach John O’Rourke said about the first game of the season.
“I thought we played well. The defense played well; they ran around a lot.”
River held Battle Ground to 6 yards rushing and 161 yards of total offense, intercepting three passes and keeping the Tigers out of the end zone. That was enough to avenge last year’s 42-23 season-opening loss to Battle Ground.
“Last year, we lost this game,” Christianson said. “So we weren’t coming in cocky. We just said we have to do our talking with the pads.”
Battle Ground, meanwhile, could take solace in the fact that it was the Tigers’ first game under coach Larry Peck and that is a long season ahead.
“I think we played well,” quarterback Chris Paul said. “We played as a team. We picked each other up and we were well conditioned.”
Columbia River 7 0 14 6—27
Battle Ground 0 3 0 0—3
First quarter
CR—Kevin Cotter 5 from Clayton Frank (Cotter kick)
Second quarter
BG—Mac Brandenburger 25 FG
Third quarter
CR—Ian Christianson 25 from Frank (Ben Kraft kick)
CR—Remick Kawawaki 9 run (Kraft kick)
Fourth quarter
CR—Terrence Joshua 43 return of blocked punt (kick blocked)
Individual leaders
Rushing — Columbia River—Remick Kawawaki 11-102, Clayton Frank 12-46, Justin Rinta 2-39; Battle Ground—Bo Smith 11-22.
Passing — Columia River—Clayton Frank 8-18-86-1; Battle Ground—Chris Paul 13-27-155-3.
Receiving — Columbia River—Ian Christianson 4-54, Kevin Cotter 2-16, Jordan Erdman 1-16; Battle Ground—Tyler Bergeron 6-70.
