Washougal clinches Week 10 playoff berth with 45-6 rout of Columbia River

Washougal’s signature orange turnover belt changed hands several times during the Panthers’ post-game huddle Friday.

There were a lot of players for defensive coordinator Anthony Rodrigues to recognize in the team’s 45-6 rout of Columbia River at John O’Rourke Field.

Two interceptions from Thaine Sanders and Owen MacDonald, a forced fumble returned for a touchdown by Elijah Franco, a field goal blocked by Travis Lundberg and finally, a punt blocked by Adam Baalaer leading to a Casey Crosby return touchdown, were all part of another banner day for the Panthers’ defense and special teams.

Afterwards, players were quick to give thanks to Rodrigues and fellow coaches as well.

“Coach A-Rod and all the coaching staff with all the film we’re watching, we get to know everything that they’re going to do, and it just works out,” Lundberg said.

Washougal’s third straight 2A Greater St. Helens League win, combined with an R.A. Long loss to Ridgefield on Friday, clinched a Week 10 playoff berth for the Panthers.

Their third consecutive postseason didn’t exactly come easy.

While trying to find their identity earlier in the season, the Panthers (5-3, 4-2) had to retool after losing senior leaders Harrison DeShazer and Mercy Johnston to long-term injuries.

Then, by losing two of their first three 2A GSHL games, the Panthers found themselves in must-win territory to stay in the playoff hunt. They’ve since responded with wins over Hudson’s Bay, R.A. Long and River.

“We’ve had some struggles this year,” Washougal coach Dave Hajek said. “So, the way we’ve been able to rally and kind of finish the season, and then make the postseason, is big for us.”

“It means a lot,” Lundberg added. “Nobody thought we could do it, losing a bunch of key players. But we came through, and now we just gotta keep working harder and get better.”

Fittingly, the last player to hold Washougal’s belt on Friday was Franco, the Panthers’ standout senior safety who’s seen his role expand in recent weeks.

His second quarter fumble return for a touchdown helped the Panthers take a 21-0 lead into halftime. That lead quickly ballooned to 28-0 when Franco ran for a 67-yard touchdown on the first play of the third quarter, a new wrinkle the Panthers have added to the playbook with Franco taking snaps at quarterback in the I-formation, spelling starter Kaden Fautt in occasional spurts.

The team first experimented with the addition in a Week 5 loss to Ridgefield, but has fully unleashed Franco in the last three weeks, all wins for the Panthers.

“After that, we started really using Elijah more and more on offense, and you saw what he can do,” Hajek said.

Franco added a 5-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter and Lundberg hauled in a 7-yard touchdown reception from Fautt to start the fourth, putting the Panthers ahead 42-6.

Washougal’s lone blemish on defense came in the third quarter on Joey Ianello’s 3-yard touchdown run. With six points allowed to the Rapids, the Panthers’ defense is giving up just 10 points per game on average, the second-best mark in the 2A GSHL.

“Elijah Franco, Ben Kellar, Parker Cherry … Royce Jones (and) the guys up front, they’re playing really good right now and they’re playing aggressive,” Hajek said. “And I think that carried over to the special teams — that’s why we had blocks. … River had some good plays against us and they moved the ball a little bit, but I’m just real happy with what our defensive coaches are doing and how the kids are playing.”

Lundberg, a defensive end, also made sure to give a shout out to fellow defensive end Logan Lynch, who’s filled in for DeShazer, an Idaho commit, after the senior suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the year. It’s one of several instances where the Panthers have turned to less experienced players to fill a void and keep moving forward. Next man up, as they say.

“We just had to have a couple guys step up,” Lundberg said. “Logan Lynch playing for Harry, he’s doing a great job getting in there, making plays. Just everybody stepping up and working hard.”

River (3-5, 2-4) remains in the hunt to grab one of five postseason berths from the 2A GSHL. Currently tied with R.A. Long for fifth place in the league standings, the Rapids face Hudson’s Bay in next week’s regular season finale.

WASHOUGAL 45, COLUMBIA RIVER 6

Washougal 7 14 14 10—45

Col. River 0 0 6 0—6

First quarter

W — Hunter Miller 3 run (Brandon Austenfeld kick)

Second quarter

W — Elijah Franco 30 fumble return (Austenfeld kick)

W — Casey Crosby 10 punt block return (Austenfeld kick)

Third quarter

W — Franco 67 run (Austenfeld kick)

CR — Joey Ianello 3 run (two-point conversion pass failed)

W — Franco 5 run (Austenfeld kick)

Fourth quarter

W — Travis Lundberg 7 pass from Kaden Fautt (Austenfeld kick)

W — Austenfeld 32 field goal

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Washougal: Hunter Miller 13-64, Ben Kellar 5-16, Elijah Franco 9-108, Royce Jones 3-31, Owen MacDonald 3-20, Hudson Lucas 1-4, Team 3-(minus 3). Columbia River: Joey Ianello 15-57, Ethan Bumgarner 3-3, Aedan Pena 3-(minus 2), Savion McCoy 7-41, Greg Blau 1-4, Ezekiel Kamakea 3-1, Cole Pearson 1-2, Hunter Vynanek 1-0, Team 1-(minus 1).

PASSING — Washougal: Kaden Fautt 11-15-0-92, Elijah Franco 2-2-0-25. Columbia River: Cole Pearson 6-14-2-44.

RECEIVING — Washougal: Parker Cherry 2-14, Brandon Austenfeld 3-36, Ben Kellar 3-35, Logan Lynch 2-(minus 1), Travis Lundberg 2-23, Royce Jones 1-10. Columbia River: Joey Ianello 5-42, Greg Blau 1-2.