Camas makes 0-3 start a distant memory with 49-13 rout of Union

CAMAS — Folks around the state might glance at Camas’ 5-3 record and overlook the Papermakers.

That’s just fine with Camas.

Playing perhaps their most complete game of the season, the Papermakers rolled past rival Union 49-13 on Friday, making Camas’ 0-3 start to the season feel like a distant memory.

“Those three teams are some of the best teams in the region,” senior defensive lineman Holt Williams said, referring to Yelm, Glacier Peak and Lincoln of Tacoma — Camas’ first three opponents. “I think those really just prepared us for these tougher games down the road. A lot of these other teams we’re playing now haven’t seen the competition that we have.”

Well, Union now has after running into an inspired Camas squad at Doc Harris Stadium.

The Papermakers came out firing on the first play from scrimmage when quarterback Taylor Ioane hit Trenton Swanson on a 58-yard pass to the Union 4.

“We knew what we were going to run; we just executed it,” Swanson said. “They ran the defense we thought they were going to do. It just worked to our favor.”

Ioane followed with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Zach Blair and Camas led 7-0 just 28 seconds into the game.

On Union’s second offensive play, the Camas defense forced a fumble that Swanson recovered at the Titans’ 23. Two plays later, Ioane hit Blair again and Camas led 14-0 just 92 seconds into the game.

“We just played aggressive,” Swanson said of the Camas defense. “We played aggressive, and everyone did their assignment. We all worked together as a team.”

After another three-and-out by Union, a bad snap on a punt led to a block punt that Camas recovered on the Union 2. Ioane’s third touchdown pass — this one to Konnor Limnell — put Camas up 21-0 with 7:21 left in the first quarter.

That was more than enough for the Camas defense. Williams spent about as much time in Union’s backfield as Union’s quarterback, recording four tackles for loss.

“We spent a lot of time getting ready for what they were going to bring to the table this week,” Williams said. “I thought a lot of it was just preparing in practice. … I think (defensive coordinator Dan) Kielty is getting us ready for what we were going to see, being able to anticipate what’s coming.”

Swanson added an interception in the second quarter, and in the second half, he got to show off his punting skills, dropping a 52-yarder to the Union 1.

“Yeah,” Swanson said. “It’s like, I don’t know, utilityman.”

Friday’s win clinched a Week 10 playoff berth for Camas and at least a share of the 4A Greater St. Helens League title. The Papermakers can lock it up outright with a win over Battle Ground next week.

“Our team is really young, and it took us a little while to get kickstarted,” Swanson said. “But it’s downhill from here. We’re going to keep that going.”

Williams added: “It just matters when we’re playing our best football, and I think we’re playing our best football right now.”

Union (3-5) can still secure a playoff spot with a win against Skyview next week.

CAMAS 49, UNION 13

Union 0 6 0 7—13

Camas 21 7 21 0—49

First quarter

C — Zach Blair 4 pass from Taylor Ioane (Ethan Ouchi kick)

C — Blair 23 pass from Ioane (Ouchi kick)

C — Konnor Limnell 2 pass from Ioane (Ouchi kick)

Second quarter

C — Ioane 10 run (Ouchi kick)

U — Tyson Fuehrer 1 run (kick block)

Third quarter

C — Reid Tennant 5 run (Ouchi kick)

C — Titan Brody 9 run (Ouchi kick)

C — Said Abdullah 1 run (Ouchi kick)

Fourth quarter

U — Chase Lofton 26 pass from AJ Attaran (Jacob Hall kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Union: Clayton Maus 10-75, Cody Zehner 10-8, Tyson Fuehrer 8-16, AJ Attaran 8-33. Camas: Titan Brody 7-75, Reid Tennant 9-39, Taylor Ioane 6-31, Beau Harlan 2-11, Said Abdullah 6-20, AJ Hroza 1-(-3).

PASSING — Union: Tyson Fuehrer 5-11-1-38, AJ Attaran 4-8-0-67. Camas: Taylor Ioane 15-24-0-177, Grady Milholen 1-1-0-0.

RECEIVING — Union: Caden Drobinski 4-69, Chase Lofton 3-37, Toby Smoot 1-3, AJ Attaran 1-(-3). Camas: Trenton Swanson 4-83, Zach Blair 3-33, Konnor Limnell 2-12, Sam Stark 2-20, Reid Tennant 1-13, Easton McCarty 3-15, Titan Brody 1-1.