4A GSHL football preview: There’s a reason league has been good for awhile
The Columbian
Published: August 27, 2018, 6:17pm
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Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian Quarterback Lincoln Victor, left, and coach Rory Rosenbach lead a celebration after Union beat Camas 14-13 last year. The victory ended the Papermakers’ seven-year run of league titles and established the Titans as the team to beat.
What makes the 4A Greater St. Helens League, which crowned the 2016 4A state champion and produced two other state finalists since 2011, continually one of the state’s strongest and toughest leagues?
Continuity? Stability? Respectability?
All of that … and more.
“Three of the more established programs in the state are in one league,” said Heritage coach Matt Gracey, also a member of the inaugural WIAA state playoff seeding committee. “Skyview, Union and Camas have been good for a long time.”
For a long time, too, the 4A GSHL title went through Camas. From 2010 to ’16, the Papermakers won seven consecutive titles spanning 3A and 4A and included a 41-game league winning streak until Union knocked off Camas in the 2017 regular-season finale. It was Union’s first league title since ’09.
What will happen in 2018?
The Titans are poised to make a deep postseason run behind reigning 4A GSHL MVP Lincoln Victor at quarterback and one of the top prospects in the Northwest, receiver/cornerback Darien Chase.
Don’t forget about Camas, though. It has reached state eight straight years and features a strong nucleus of depth and talent at numerous positions. Coach Jon Eagle has what he calls three starting running backs and a stacked offensive line in front of them.
Always liking the underdog role is Skyview, a program that’s only two years removed from reaching the state semifinals. The Storm will rely on leading rusher Jalynnee McGee, who is expected to start both ways, plus an experienced secondary that grew as the 2017 season went along.
Heritage has made big strides under Gracey, now in his fourth year. Last season, the program won its first league game since 2012. Will their experience help them climb the standings? Of the 14 returning starters, eight are on defense.
Battle Ground continues to make progress in second-year coach Mike Kesler’s system. The Tigers might be young, but expect improvement as the season progresses.
Projected finish
1) Union: Titans arguably have one of the state’s most talented teams. Is a deep postseason run looming?
2) Camas: What the Papermakers lack in returning all-league players they make up for in depth, talent, skill in multiple areas.
3) Skyview: A team featuring 21 new starters is hungry to start another postseason streak.
4) Heritage: Timberwolves are banking on experience (14 returning starters) to get to the next step.
5) Battle Ground: Tigers are gaining ground in second-year coach Mike Kesler’s system.
Biggest games
Friday, Oct. 5: Union at Skyview, 5 p.m. at Kiggins Bowl
Friday, Oct. 5: Heritage at Battle Ground, 7 p.m. at District Stadium
Friday, Oct. 19: Skyview at Camas, 7 p.m. at Doc Harris Stadium
Friday, Oct, 26: Camas at Union, 7:30 p.m. at McKenzie Stadium
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