CAMAS — Nobody said the Camas Papermakers’ nonleague slate of Oregon 6A opponents would be a cakewalk.
But a juggernaut of a schedule also leads to this: They’ll be better for it, players and coaches agreed, regardless of the outcomes.
In this case — a 38-30 loss to the Clackamas Cavaliers in their home opener at Doc Harris Stadium — wasn’t what Camas hoped for. It dropped to 0-2, but there’s still reason for optimism looking ahead to next week’s contest against Oregon powerhouse Jesuit.
And as interim coach Jack Hathaway said postgame, there’s still a lot more work to be done.
“We made steps to where we want to be, but we’re not there yet,” he said. “We’re getting better, but we’re not one to accept this outcome; that’s not what we’re striving for.
“We understand this is a process; it’s a long season and we’re ready.”
Friday was the first fall home game for the Papermakers since their undefeated 2019 season.
And it faced an opponent that officially had its first game of the season.
The Cavaliers’ Week 1 game last week was canceled because of COVID-19 issues by their opponent. That added another wrinkle in Camas’ preparation without fresh game film to break down. Instead, Hathaway said, they relied on film from August jamborees and last spring’s condensed season.
But in no way were the Papermakers ill-prepared.
The game featured five lead changes, including three as part of a first half with Clackamas leading 21-20 at the break.
Camas scored on its opening drive of the third quarter to grab what turned into its final lead at 27-24 on Luke Jamison’s second rushing score of the night before Clackamas’ took the lead for good. It turned into double digits at 38-27 with 4:16 left in the third quarter.
Key moments
Camas’ early momentum turned to catchup — Camas’ offense didn’t skip a beat on its opening three possessions. Its largest lead came at 17-7 midway through the second quarter when Jairus Phillips punched it in from 2 yards out. Camas’ offense punted twice in the second half, and had its best scoring threat to make it a one-possession game late with a red zone interception inside 4 minutes to play. Facing fourth and 10 with 3:56 remaining, Miles Williams intercepted quarterback Taylor Ioane in the back of the endzone for a touchback with Clackamas’ lead at 38-27. Camas had two more possessions after that, including one that resulted in a field goal. Trailing 38-30 with 1:47 left, Camas’ on-side kick attempt was recovered by Clackamas.
The Williams Way — When there’s a Williams — Miles Williams, that is — there was a way for Clackamas. During a 90-second second-quarter span, the senior receiver and defensive back — and return specialist — helped the Cavs regain the lead going into halftime after trailing by as many as 10. Quarterback Blake Baker found WIlliams over the middle for a 61-yard touchdown strike that made it a one-possession game at 17-14. Less than 90 seconds later, Williams returned a 55-yard punt off a bounce to put the Cavs up 21-17 with 5:23 left in the first half. That also is in addition to his interception in the end zone with 3:56 remaining.
Key players
Miles Williams — The Cavs’ senior did it all on offense, defense, and special teams Friday. He had three catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, a key interception and a punt return for a score.
Taylor Ioane — Camas’ quarterback went 20 of 39 passing for 266 yards.
Ethan Ouchi — Camas’ kicker drilled field goals of 31, 32 and 38 yards.
CLACKAMAS (Ore.) 38, CAMAS 30
Clack 7 14 10 7—38
Camas 14 6 7 3—30
First quarter
Cl — KJ Johnson-Gibson 35 pass from Blake Baker (kick good)
Ca — Luke Jamison 1 run (Ethan Ouchi kick)
Ca — Jairus Phillips 2 run (Ouchi kick)
Second quarter
Ca — Ouchi 31 FG
Cl — Miles Williams 61 pass from Baker (kick good)
Cl — Williams 55 punt return (kick good)
Ca — Ouchi 32 FG
Third quarter
Cl — Brandt Maiden 32 FG
Ca — Jamison 8 run (kick good)
Cl — Luke Ash 2 run (kick good)
Fourth quarter
Cl — Brandt Crowley 2 run (kick good)
Ca — Ouchi 38 FG
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Camas: Luke Jamison 7-24, Jon Schultz 11-30, Jairus Phillips 3-5, Zach BLair 3-25, Sam Speer 5-18, Taylor Ioane 3-(minus-3), Team 1-(minus-20).
PASSING — Camas: Taylor Iane 20-39-1-266
RECEIVING — Camas: Sam Stark 2-39, Nathan Criddle 6-44, Zach Blair 7-99, Conner Murphy 3-25, Jon Schultz 1-4, Mark Thorkelson 1-10.
