Camas football preview: Walker mean, but not that green

Alex Walker might have been one of the best defensive linemen in the region last season, but he did not get a single start for the Camas defense.

He might have been one of the best offensive linemen, too. He started a handful of games.

Not that he was complaining. He played a bunch.

“Last year we had the best team in the state. I was behind those guys, and I filled every role needed,” said Walker, now preparing for his senior season with the Papermakers.

Coach: Jon Eagle.

2013 record: 13-1, 5-0 4A GSHL.

Key players: James Price, sr., wr/db; Cole Zarcone, sr., rb/db; Bryan Kelly, sr., rb/db; Alex Walker, sr., ol/dl; Liam Fitzgerald, jr., qb; Gabe Lopes, sr., lb/te; Reid Conlee, sr., lb/rb; Dane Santos, sr., wr/db; Trevor Wochnick, jr., lb/ol; Jared Bentley, jr., wr/db; Chase Lea, sr., ol.

Season outlook: The Papermakers do not have a lot of starting experience, but don’t be fooled: They have plenty of experience. Zarcone and Kelly combined to rush for more than 1,200 yards last year. The Camas defense is still the Camas defense. Which means pretty darn good. Camas might not have the big names from last year, but this is still Camas.

2014 SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 Chiawana

Sept. 12 Federal Way

Sept. 20 at Rogers

Sept. 26 Evergreen*

Oct. 3 Skyview*

Oct. 9 at Battle Ground*

Oct. 17 at Union*

Oct. 24 Mountain View*

Oct. 31 at Heritage*

• — 4A GSHL game

Home games played at Doc Harris Stadium

Coming Wednesday: Mountain View

“That was fine, at the time,” Walker said. “I knew it was in the best interest of the team. All good.”

While Walker played plenty of snaps last year he does not intend to come off the bench this season.

“This year is my year,” he said.

He wants to start. On offense and defense. More importantly, he wants to lead. He wants to take what the seniors did last year and teach younger Papermakers how to succeed.

Especially in the trenches, at the line of scrimmage.

“You just have to be the meanest person on the field,” Walker said.

Not dirty. No cheap tricks. Just a nasty disposition.

“Drew Clarkson is the perfect example,” Walker said of the Camas graduate who is now playing football at Oregon State. “I never met anyone so mean on the field. The entire line. I just try to replicate what they did. That was pure anger.”

Fun and friendship off the field. Focus on the field.

That style led Camas to 13 consecutive victories last season before falling to Chiawana of Pasco on the final play of the state championship game.

It just so happens Camas and Chiawana play each other in Week 1 of this season.

It is a rematch of programs, but there will be a lot of new starters for both teams.

While the Papermakers had several players make starts last year, they only return one full-time starter.

But here’s a not-so-little-secret about Camas: This squad has a ton of experience. Most of their games last year were blowouts. Backups and their backups played plenty.

Walker took advantage of his coaching to learn as much as he could. Walker played all five offensive line positions at least once last season. He called himself the “sixth man,” able to fill in wherever, whenever.

He also made plays from every angle of the defensive line.

So many plays, in fact, that this “non-starter” was voted by the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League coaches to the second team in the all-league voting.

“We had so many great guys on the defensive line. Just to get a spot (in the rotation) was surreal,” Walker said. “To get a spot on the all-league team, that was a cherry on top. I didn’t even start. I had a couple big plays in some big games. It was honestly just a blessing.”

Camas coach Jon Eagle expects more accolades coming Walker’s way after this season.

“We’re beginning a kind of tradition of elite Camas linemen,” Eagle said. “He’s another one coming through. He’s going to be one of the elite linemen in the league.”

Walker has the size at 6-4, 265 pounds, but he is also fast for a big guy. That’s a combination that should attract college coaches. A strong student, Walker said he wants to play college football.

Right now, he just wants to play any football. He missed spring practice and team camp, healing from a broken right leg he suffered while playing rugby.

“I’m all 100 percent now,” Walker said.

He is ready, ready for a new role.

The sixth man has earned his opportunity to start.