CAMAS — A rivalry game does not guarantee a competitive game.
That was pretty much the message on social media leading up to Friday’s game at Doc Harris Stadium.
Then the Camas Papermakers delivered that message, emphatically, to the Union Titans.
The top-ranked Papermakers had no problem taking care of neighboring Union in a Class 4A Greater St. Helens League football game.
Jordan Del Moral had 230 yards rushing — by halftime.
Liam Fitzgerald threw for three first-half touchdowns, too.
And that Camas defense that has made so many good offenses look bad this year?
That squad did it again in a 51-16 victory over the Titans.
“Everyone did great tonight,” Fitzgerald said. “Union brings out the best in everyone.”
“It’s a great feeling,” Del Moral said. “You absolutely love the rivalry, love the atmosphere, the fans. This is what Friday nights are all about. A great, great win. And a lot of school pride.”
Del Moral finished with a career-high 274 yards on 28 carries. He had touchdown runs of 72, 2, and 7 yards.
Fitzgerald, meanwhile, finished with 258 yards through the air — with scoring passes of 5, 10, 12, and 21 yards — plus he rushed for 57 yards. In all, Camas gained 601 yards against the Union defense.
“I thought our kids were really prepared and really ready to play. I felt good about it,” Camas coach Jon Eagle said. “I see it every day, so I’m not surprised.”
Fitzgerald said the play-calling was perfect.
“The passing worked because of the run game, and vice versa,” Fitzgerald said. “We were feeding off each other. The coaches were calling a combination of plays, and it was working.”
Camas (7-0, 4-0 GSHL) will face Mountain View in Week 8. Union (4-3, 2-2) takes on Battle Ground.
Friday’s matchup was all Camas in the first quarter. Blake Roy caught a 5-yd touchdown pass from Fitzgerald, then Del Moral scored on his long run for a 14-0 lead.
It was so much more than 14 points, too.
There was the morale factor.
Camas gained 226 yards in that first quarter. Union went three-and-out three times against the Camas defense, picking up a total of eight yards.
“I felt there was a vibe,” said Roy, who also dominated on defense with 1.5 sacks and plenty of pressures on the quarterback. “You can feel it with the guys. You know you’re rolling, and everyone is amped.”
David Aarhus also had a sack on his own, then teamed up with Roy on another. Jarrin Webb got to the quarterback, as well.
Camas has now stuffed three good offenses in a row — Skyview, Battle Ground, and Union.
“It feels good that we know we are able to do this. We have the confidence we can do these things,” Roy said. “The coaches do a great job of getting us ready. It shows on the field.”
A field goal by Michael Boyle made it 17-0 early in the second quarter. Union would get a field goal from Connor Culp, but then the Papermakers finished the first half with three more touchdowns: Hunter Bruno with a catch on a 10-yard pass from Fitzgerald, a 2-yard scoring run from Del Moral, then a 21-yard touchdown pass from Fitzgerald to Jared Bentley.
Game over.
At the half.
Union found some yards in the second half. Quarterback Jordan Lawson scored on two 1-yard touchdown runs for the Titans.
But Del Moral and Bentley also found the end zone again for the Papermakers. Bentley finished with 7 catches for 100 yards and his two touchdowns.
“We focused in (at practice) and it was good to show what we did all week in the game,” Del Moral said.
CAMAS 51, UNION 16
Union 0 3 6 7—16
Camas 14 24 0 13—51
First quarter
Cam — Blake Roy 5 pass from Liam Fitzgerald (Michael Boyle kick)
Cam — Jordan Del Moral 72 run (Boyle kick)
Second quarter
Cam — Boyle 21 FG
U — Connor Culp 39 FG
Cam — Hunter Bruno 10 pass from Fitzgerald (Boyle kick)
Cam — Del Moral 2 run (Boyle kick)
Cam — Jared Bentley 12 pass from Fitzgerald (Boyle kick)
Third quarter
U — Jordan Lawson 1 run (kick block)
Fourth quarter
Cam — Del Moral 7 run (Boyle kick)
U — Lawson 1 run (Culp kick)
Cam — Bentley 21 pass from Fitzgerald (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Union, JoJo Siofele 26-76, Jordan Lawson 12-37. Camas, Del Moral 28-274, Fitzgerald 7-57, Will Schultz 1-0, Tyler McClellan 1-12.
PASSING — Union, Lawson 8-20-1-131. Camas, Fitzgerald 21-30-0-258, Bruno 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING — Union, Keithen Shepard 4-96, Kai Gamble 1-7, Nate Kuratli 1-13, Carter Clay 1-9, Siofele 1-6. Camas, Jared Bentley 7-100, Bruno 5-80, Roy 5-48, Cooper McNatt 1-5, Drake Owen 2-19, Del Moral 1-6.
