The Papermaker football typhoon swallowed Lakes 49-0 Friday, at Doc Harris Stadium.
The Lancers defeated the Camas football team in overtime during the 2010 state quarterfinals at the same location. This town had not forgotten about that day, and neither did the seniors in the Papermaker pads. They had a job to do.
“I remember looking into the eyes of those seniors and not wanting to feel how they felt,” said quarterback Reilly Hennessey. “Lakes is the only team we had lost to at the new Doc Harris Stadium. Without a doubt, we wanted to win this game for those guys who put Camas on the map and for our town.”
Hennessey had a night to remember. He threw for 279 yards and completed three touchdown passes to Michael DiGenova, James Price and Zach Eagle. Hennessey also ran in a touchdown for good measure.
“They make my life so easy,” he said of his receivers. “I’m not half of what I accomplish without them and the O-line. It takes 11 guys on the field to do what we accomplish.”
DiGenova demonstrated his vertical leap and balance on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Hennessey. The 6-foot-2 senior tracked the ball over his shoulder, rose above the defensive back, turned around and caught the ball in the air, landed back on his feet and continued his motion into the end zone.
“It was my first touchdown,” DiGenova said. “It’s amazing. There’s nothing else like it.”
DiGenova also delivered some crushing blows on defense, along with Jason Vailea and Brad Hansen.
“The defense really wanted to get a shutout,” DiGenova said. “After three weeks of giving up touchdowns on the first drive, it feels good to be able to shut a team down for the whole game.”
Nate Beasley, Cole Zarcone and Jordan Del Moral each had touchdown runs for Camas.
Eagle almost scored a touchdown on three different punt returns. He also intercepted a pass on defense. Eagle’s night ended after snagging an 8-yard touchdown pass by Hennessey just before halftime.
Price turned a screen pass by Hennessey into a 54-yard shake and roll into the end zone for a touchdown. The linemen cleared a path for Price, he faked out a couple of defenders with his quick feet and then left everybody in the dust.
“As soon as I got the ball, the other 10 guys were doing their part to get me in the end zone,” Price said. “Once I saw that clear space, I knew those guys had done their job. I had to make the extra effort for them.”
Senior left tackle Drew Clarkson played his first football game since battling back from a strained hamstring and stage 2 testicular cancer.
“It’s awesome to once again be doing what you love with the guys you love,” Clarkson said. “Every single guy out here puts their heart into this team, and it definitely shows on game day.”
Camas opens league play against Skyview Friday, at Kiggins Bowl. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.
“There is a lot of talent in our league. We have to take every week seriously and continue to get better every day,” Price said. “There’s no stopping us, if we all work together and work hard.”
Head coach Jon Eagle planted a seed in the minds of the Papermakers. He said they haven’t beaten Skyview at Kiggins Bowl.
“That would be a good goal to obtain,” Clarkson said.
