Mark Rego’s spirit continues to be not just around Union football, but other teams as well.
After Friday’s game against the Titans, Battle Ground paid tribute to the Union assistant coach, who died Oct. 6 after a battle with cancer.
Battle Ground presented Union with a banner that read “Titan Tough, Rego Strong, Always in our Hearts, Love from the Battle Ground community.” On the back were signatures from Battle Ground’s players, coaches and several dozen Battle Ground citizens.
Honoring Rego something Battle Ground coach Mike Kesler felt he needed to do. He coached with Rego for 20 years, first at Evergreen High then 10 years at Union before taking the Battle Ground job two years ago.
“We battled together.” Kesler said. “I coached the offensive line, he coached the defensive line. I consider him a brother.”
Rego, who lived in Battle Ground, was involved in coaching youth football in that city. Therefore, many of the Tigers knew him.
After Union’s 49-7 win Friday, several Battle Ground players urged the top-ranked Titans to go and win the 4A state title. Union coach Rory Rosenbach praised the sportsmanship shown by Battle Ground and their coach.
“Coach Kes is a first-class guy,” Rosenbach said. “I was sad to see him leave us, but I’m super happy to see him get the opportunity he has over there. He’s doing a phenomenal job with those guys.”
Battle Ground is making progress under Kesler. After going 1-8 and winless in the 4A GSHL last season, the Tigers (2-6, 1-3) played well enough to cause some trouble for Union, including forcing four first-half turnovers.
“We have a good group of seniors that are setting the tone for next year,” Kesler said. “We’ve improved over last year, just the stability that we have. Last year, we had three kids with varsity experience. This year, we brought 40 back.”
Woodland’s ‘prize?’ Tumwater
Woodland and Columbia River went into their 2A Greater St. Helens League matchup on Friday think it was the game to avoid playing Tumwater.
The winner of the Woodland-River game would be the No. 2 seed from the 2A GSHL and the loser would be No. 3, meaning a Week 10 district playoff game against the No. 1 team from the 2A Evergreen Conference.
Before Friday, most everyone thought that team would be second-ranked Tumwater.
So when Woodland rolled to a 40-7 win over the Cheiftains, the Beavers thought they avoided the talented Thunderbirds.
Think again. Black Hills knocked off Tumwater 22-17 on Friday to secure the top seed from the 2A EvCo.
Tumwater will be the No. 2 team from the EvCo. W.F. West of Chehalis is likely the No. 3 team.
That means Woodland will face to face Tumwater in Week 10.
“Do we play up at Tumwater?” Woodand senior Tyler Flanagan asked.
Yes they do
“That’s a tough one,” Flanagan said. “They’re good. That’s going to be a game. We’ll have to come out strong for that one. Wow.”
Assuming W.F. West beats 1-7 Aberdeen next week, the Week 10 district playoffs are set — W.F. West at Hockinson, Woodland at Tumwater, and Columbia River at Black Hills.”We just have to play Woodland football,” Flanagan said of the upcoming matchup with Tumwater. “Just come out and do our best and see what we got.”
Mountain View’s Mr. Dependable
The chorus of whistles blew the play dead, and everyone involved got up, except Philip Earnhardt. The Mountain View senior receiver/defensive back writhed in pain near the Kelso sideline, a pain that was eventually deemed a cramp.
Earnhardt got up gingerly and with the help of a trainer, walked back to the Thunder sideline. On the first play of the next series, he was hauling downfield for a 68-yard touchdown catch, one he burned two defenders to corral.
Why call a deep ball to the guy who just finished cramping?
“I don’t know,” Earnhardt said of his lone catch of the night.
It was the third and final touchdown of Earnhardt’s night. When the Thunder needed a score, they turned to Earnhardt. Both his rushing touchdowns were sweeps to the outside from inside the 10 yard line, underscoring his role in the Mountain View offense.
Sure, Jack Mertens has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing on the season with an area-best 11.4 yards per carry (and 13 touchdowns). And Garrett Moen has tossed for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns (21 total, including rushing).
But on Friday night, Earnhardt was Mr. Dependable when it came to scoring touchdowns, finding the end zone on three of his five touches of the night. He now has 534 receiving yards and six touchdowns — 13 total on the season including rushing.
Third-string QB shines for Camas
Blake Ascuitto made the most of his opportunity Friday.
Another big injury to a key player meant the Camas junior-varsity quarterback saw the most action of the season on varsity Friday in a 48-35 Homecoming win over Skyview.
Camas already was without sophomore quarterback Jake Blair (foot). So when starter Andrew Boyle when down with a right knee injury with 47.2 seconds left in the first half, the Papermakers turned to Ascuitto.
Nerves showed at first, Ascuitto said.
“After that,” he said, “we just do what we practiced. It’s all in the practice.”
Last week, he threw his first-career varsity touchdown pass. Friday, he completed 9 of 15 passes for 106 yards, including converting a third-and-5 play to Luc Sturbelle in double coverage for a 25-yard reception. The next play, Shane Jamison’s 25-yard touchdown run gave Camas a 48-35 lead. Much of the fourth quarter was a one-score game.
“I just put the pass up; Sturbelle did everything,” Ascuitto said. “He’s too tall. No one can guard him.”
