RIDGEFIELD — It wasn’t an ideal start for the Woodland Beavers, but all that mattered at the final buzzer was how they finished: A 48-15 2A Greater St. Helens League victory on Friday.
After punting on their first drive, the Ridgefield’s offense marched down the field 62 yards for a touchdown while taking over 7 minutes off the clock and keeping Woodland’s offense off the field.
It was the first points scored against the Beavers this season.
The Spudders appeared to key in on stopping the Beavers rushing attack and running back Eli Whitmire. The Beavers netted only 13 rushing yards in the first half.
“Ridgefield had a great scheme offensively and defensively. Our kids had to figure that out a little bit and get accustomed to their smash mouth game,” said Woodland head coach Mike Greenleaf.
The Spudders had control of the game’s pace and flow until midway through the second half when Woodland’s freshman quarterback Wyatt Harsh began racking up the yards through the air.
Harsh hit Trevor Huddleston for a 45-yard catch and run with under 4 minutes left in the first half and then threw a 31-yarder to Cody Shepherd right before halftime.
Harsh, who said he decided as a fourth grader he wanted to start on varsity as a freshman, racked up 247 yards on 13 of 17 passing and six touchdowns. Harsh looked seasoned while doing so, playing mistake free and getting the ball to his receivers.
Consistent with his maturity, Harsh first credited his offensive line when asked about his big game: “I barely got touched. They did amazing.”
Said Greenleaf: “He didn’t watch cartoons growing up. He watched ESPN. He’s above the years. I think after the first game, he’s not rattled.”
In the second half, the Harsh continued his great night and running back Eli Whitmire started to get loose in the running game and the passing game.
The Beavers scored 35 points in the third quarter, with the help of three turnovers, and rattled off 48 unanswered before Ridgefield scored again.
Had Harsh had a game like this before?
“I threw seven touchdowns in middle school but not on varsity.”
Then, as if he just realized how big of a game he had just had, he smiled.
WOODLAND 48, RIDGEFIELD 15
Woodland 0 13 35 0—48
Ridgefield 7 0 0 8—15
First quarter
R — Noah Couch 6 pass from Jonah Roberts (Michael Martin kick)
Second quarter
W — Trevor Huddleston 45 pass from Wyatt Harsh (kick failed)
W — Cody Shepherd 31 pass from Harsh (Tylor Bishop kick)
Third quarter
W — Eli Whitmire 20 run (Huddleston pass from Harsh)
W — Huddleston 33 pass from Harsh (Bishop kick)
W — Shepherd 13 pass from Harsh (Tristan Thomas pass from Harsh)
W — Jared Cloud 11 pass from Harsh (2-pt no good)
W — Whitmire 24 pass from Harsh (kick failed)
Fourth quarter
R — Nathan Eggleston 6 run (2-pt good)
Individual statistics
RUSHING — Woodland: Eli Whitmire 10-53; Hunter Raney 2-19; Tylor Bishop 1-6; Logan Knight 1-3; Trevor Huddleston 2-(minus-2); Thomas Brower 1-(minus-19); Wyatt Harsh 4-(minus-24); Ridgefield: Nathan Eggleston 25-102; Roberts 6-9; Taylor Nolan 2-5; Cody Duncan 1-2.
PASSING — Woodland: Wyatt Harsh 13-17-0-247; Ridgefield: Jonah Roberts 5-16-1-50.
RECEIVING — Woodland: Jared Cloud 4-83; Huddleston 2-78; Shepherd 2-44; Whitmire 4-41; Raney 1-1. Ridgefield: Noah Couch 2-27; Cade Morril 1-12; Tamaric Mendoza 1-11.
