CAMAS — The Camas Papermakers, with a 9-1 record after their 56-7 victory on Friday to advance to the Class 4A football state playoffs, believe they’ve done enough to convince the state seeding committee they’re deserving of a top-four seed.
“Our defense is great, our offense is great, we’ve put in the work and we’ve shown what we’re made of,” said senior linebacker Nikko Speer.
The 4A Greater St. Helens League champion Papermakers have a strong case. Their only loss is to defending 3A state champion Yelm at home, 8-7, to open the season, have a nine-game winning streak, and boost a No. 3 RPI ranking.
A top-four state playoff seed means Camas’ first two playoff games also are at Doc Harris Stadium. State playoff seeds will be released Sunday by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
A season after a shocking Week 10 loss to North Creek to end its season shy of the 4A state playoffs, Camas is back in the round of 16 after its convincing win over Federal Way on Friday night in a rain-soaked Doc Harris Stadium.
“We had a great week of practice,” said Speer. “We knew we had to come out strong and set the tempo for the whole game. That’s just what we do on defense.”
Despite the rain, it failed to slow down Camas — on offense — all game. In all, eight players scored touchdowns, including on all five first-quarter drives to take a commanding 35-0 lead after 12 minutes.
In fact, it took 3 plays, 65 yards, and 63 seconds off the clock for the first score of the game. And it was all Papermakers from there.
Quarterback Jake Davidson hit five receivers and seven different ball-carriers had at least one carry. Alex Hroza had a team-best 73 yards and one of four rushing touchdowns by Camas.
As quick as some drives were, others weren’t. On consecutive scoring drives that pushed the Papermakers’ lead to 35-0 and 42-0 respectively, Camas converted fourth-down plays on each — both involving junior receiver Chase McGee — that led to touchdowns a play later. Facing a fourth-and-6 after a false start penalty, Davidson hit Cole Parker for an 8-yard gain. The following play, Davidson found McGee over the middle for a 28-yard touchdown that made it a 42-0 Camas lead. On the previous offensive series, Davidson hit McGee for a 16-yard fourth-down conversion on a fourth-and-5, leading to a Anthony Forner 4-yard touchdown a play later.
McGee, also known as a standout pole vault on Camas’ track and field team, says while pole vault and football are on opposite spectrums, can go hand-in-hand. He finished with a career high Friday in catches (four) and yards (129).
“I think it’s two different things,” he said of pole vault and football. “Pole vault is more relaxed. Football is way different. “But I put in a lot of work for pole vault and I think it helps with football.”
“I think we (Davidson) had a connection tonight — like a little switch. It was nice.”
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CAMAS 56, FEDERAL WAY 7
Camas 35 14 0 7 – 56
Fed. Way 0 0 7 0 – 7
First quarter
C — Beau Harlan 1 run (Jackson Tyler kick)
C — Alex Hroza 20 run (Tyler kick)
C — Jake Davidson 5 run (Tyler kick)
C — Anthony Forner 4 pass from Jake Davidson (Tyler kick)
C — Trenton Swanson 14 pass from Jake Davidson (Tyler kick)
Second quarter
C — Chase McGee 28 pass from Jake Davidson (Tyler kick)
C — Titan Brody 15 run (Tyler kick)
Third quarter
FW — Dionte Harrison 2 run (kick good)
Fourth quarter
C — Hayden Ollmann 7 run (Tyler kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
(Camas only)
RUSHING: Beau Harlan 2-5, Trenton Swanson 1-3, Alex Hroza 9-73, Grady Milholen 3-3, Jake Davidson 3-2, Titan Brody 1-15, Hayden Ollmann 7-54.
PASSING: Jake Davidson 13-18-1-254
RECEIVING: Chase McGee 4-129, Trenton Swanson 4-44, Cole Parker 2-13, Anthony Forner 2-39, Zuko Lopez 2-29
