By Paul Valencia, Columbian
High School Sports Reporter
Published: December 24, 2013, 4:00pm
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Camas quarterback Reilly Hennessey, The Columbian's All-Region football player of the year.Photo Gallery
Reilly Hennessey prefers to think of the season as a whole, not just one final game that went awry.
When put in totality, there was very little that went wrong with the Camas Papermakers this past football season.
“It was exactly how we pictured and dreamed until Week 14,” said Hennessey, the quarterback. “Record-wise, we had gone through 13 weeks of perfect football.”
Through 13 weeks and 47 minutes into Week 14, the Papermakers still looked to be perfect. We all know what happened. Chiawana stunned Camas with two touchdowns in the final minute for a 27-26 victory in the Class 4A state championship game.
Hennessey said of course that game is still on his mind, but he also is mourning the passing of his high school and youth football career.
“To be able to walk out to that (practice) field every day, to see my best friends every day, that’s what I miss,” Hennessey said. “For the last eight or nine years of my life, I’ve been throwing a little oblong ball to these guys.”
His football career will continue. He intends to sign a letter of intent with Eastern Washington University in February.
But today, we celebrate Hennessey’s final season with the Papermakers as The Columbian’s All-Region football player of the year.
Hennessey threw for 3,387 yards and 38 touchdowns, and rushed for three more TDs, leading Camas to a school-record 13 wins and its first appearance in a state championship game. Oh, and Gatorade named him Washington’s state player of the year.
“It was such an honor. There are so many great players in the state,” Hennessey said. “To be considered up there with them is kind of mind-blowing. I have so much respect for what they do and how they carry themselves.”
Hennessey said he remembers looking up in awe to former Camas quarterback Logan Grindy and former Heritage quarterback Garrett Grayson. He called it “humbling” to be mentioned with those guys as some of the best QBs to ever come out of Southwest Washington.
He called them local legends.
How is this for legendary? Reilly Hennessey as a starting quarterback for the freshman team, JV team as a sophomore, then two years as the varsity quarterback leaves high school with a 43-2 record.
A career mark, indeed.
Player of the year
*REILLY HENNESSEY, SR., QB, CAMAS
He opened the season with four touchdown passes against one of the best programs in Oregon. The Papermakers destroyed Jesuit that night, setting the tone for the next three months. Hennessey QB’d a team that averaged more than 53 points per game. They fell one win shy of their ultimate goal, but Hennessey and the Papermakers gave fans quite a ride in 2013.
Rest of All-Region offense
*NATE BEASLEY, SR., RB, CAMAS: A touchdown machine from Week 1 until Week 14. He finished with 1,574 yards rushing with 27 TD runs, plus he caught six TD passes. He finished his three-year varsity career with 71 touchdowns.
LEON SIOFELE, SR., RB, UNION: Led the region with 1,956 yards rushing — a school record — and also rushed for 24 touchdowns.
*ZACH EAGLE, SR., WR, CAMAS: One of two receivers in the region to break the 1,000-yard barrier, Eagle finished with 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also was first team all-league on offense and defense.
*JACOB DENNIS, SR., WR, SKYVIEW: Finished with 1,099 yards and 13 touchdowns. Had a run of five consecutive 100-yard games, including a 200-yard performance in Week 10 playoff victory.
*DYLAN WHITE, SR., TE, CAMAS: Yet another weapon in the Camas machine. Fine target in the passing game and also a strong blocker for the running attack.
ALEX MEZA, SR., OL, LA CENTER: The La Center running game was key once again to a playoff run. Meza was one of the leaders on the line, helping the Wildcats to the elite eight.
*DREW CLARKSON, SR., OL, CAMAS: Intends to sign with Oregon State in February. Clarkson was dominant even though he was never really 100 percent this season after battling cancer last summer.
JOSH LEE, SR., OL, UNION: Paving the way for all those yards by Siofele, Lee was instrumental for a team that averaged more than 37 points per game. By the way, Union went 8-3 in 2013, with the losses coming to two state runners-up and another elite eight team.
PHILLIP RUDOLPH, SR., OL, MOUNTAIN VIEW: The Class 3A Greater St. Helens League champion Thunder had two 1,000-yard rushers and another with more than 750. Which means the Thunder had an excellent offensive line.
MAX ARCHER, SR., OL, COLUMBIA RIVER: A first-team, all-league performer for a team that finished 8-3 and went to the Class 3A state playoffs for the second year in a row.
NATE HAWTHORNE, JR., AP, COLUMBIA RIVER: All-purpose? Or should that be every purpose? Hawthorne was first team all league at wide receiver, special teams and defensive back. Scored 11 touchdowns in 11 games.
All-Region defense
*JASON VAILEA, SR., DL, CAMAS: We know him from the pre-game ritual: The Haka. We know him because of his hair. We know him because of his touchdowns on short-yardage situations. But he is best known for his defense, his amazing ability to find the ball carrier.
MATT DANIS, SR., DL, CAMAS: If opponents tried to run away from Vailea, they’d run into Danis. That’s a win-win for Camas, and a big lose-lose for the opponents.
GARRETT LAWLER, SR., DL, SKYVIEW: Defense, offense. Offense, defense. Where should Lawler hang out? Wherever he wants. Or wherever we want. First team all league on both sides, we like him on defense.
MAX HILLER, JR., DL, LA CENTER: So many fine athletes play both sides, especially at the 1A schools. Hiller got his name in the paper a lot for offense, but defense wins (league) championships.
TATE NELSON, JR., LB, UNION: If a Nelson is playing defense for Union, he’s gotta be good. Another Nelson brother keeping the family tradition alive with a showing on the All-Region team.
*MICHAEL DiGENOVA, SR., LB, CAMAS: Scary good all season, he was voted the 4A GSHL’s defensive player of the year. Such a good athlete, he also became go-to tight end after injury slowed Dylan White.
*ADAM DAWSON, SR., LB, CAMAS: Another 1-2 punch for the Camas defense, this time in the linebacker corps. This guy had a knack for getting tackles-for-loss.
CONNER FULTON, SR., LB, LA CENTER: The most valuable player in the Trico League, Fulton rushed for 1,539 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also was a force on defense, where he finds his place on this team.
*JORDEN PAYNE, SR., DB, CAMAS: Here comes the Payne! We know Camas’ offense got most of the attention, but the Camas defense (with five All-Region athletes) was solid throughout the 13-1 season, too.
GARRETT JONES, JR., DB, MOUNTAIN VIEW: First team, all-league defensive back had two defensive touchdowns for the league champion Thunder. Also helped Mountain View to first win in state playoffs since 2002.
VINCE NIGRO, SR., DB, WOODLAND: Nigro makes the All-Region team representing all the Woodland seniors who remember the 0-9 season when they were freshmen. The Beavers reached the state payoffs the past two seasons.
GAGE STUMPF, SR., DB, SKYVIEW: A coach’s dream for a defensive back, Stumpf has the rare combination of great coverage skills along with the ability to crush an opposing running back. Very physical.
Notes — * Player was selected by The Columbian staff, coaches vote and fans vote.
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