CAMAS — Chase McGee is an elite pole vaulter in track and field who’s competed in prestigious meets and continues to set history-making performances. That includes last spring’s Class 4A state title clearing a height that ranks third all-time at a Washington state meet across all classifications.
Few athletes who have the combination skill set of McGee: eliteness in pole vault and football.
But that’s McGee, Camas High’s senior receiver and cornerback. Through four games, he is the team’s leading receiver in catches, yards and touchdowns. In Friday’s 48-14 win over Oregon City to push the top-ranked Papermakers to 4-0, McGee had three catches — all for touchdowns — for a game-best 143 yards. He now has 380 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.
His quarterback, fellow senior Jake Davidson, shared postgame what elevates McGee in football. The pair say their connection going back to their youth days is what makes it look easy on the field.
“There’s really no downside to him,” Davidson said. “He can get open; he’s got great hands. … He can do literally anything. It’s nice to have him out on the field. It helps my stats throwing screen plays. I love it.”
McGee’s touchdowns were for 54, 50 and 39 yards. Like McGee, Davidson had a career night Friday, too. He surpassed his career-best of five touchdowns in a single game (twice) by throwing seven against the Pioneers (1-3). In doing so, Davidson hit five different receivers for touchdowns: McGee (3), Anthony Forner, Ryder Jacobson, Nikko Spear and Thor Brody. Davidson finished 15 of 22 passing for 318 yards.
In fact, Davidson connected with McGee on the final play of the first half for a 50-yard touchdown strike that pushed Camas’ lead to 28-7 at halftime. Davidson hit McGee over the middle, shook defenders off down the right sideline, and plunged into the endzone well after the scoreboard horn sounded.
Friday’s win marked the second time in three games Camas put up 48 points. In its four wins, the defense has failed to allow more than two touchdowns in a game.
McGee, also a starter at cornerback, gave credit to the Papermaker front-7 and its control of the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Nikko Speer led Camas in tackles and also had three catches for 70 yards and a touchdown at tight end.
“We’ve got a strong front and they’re putting pressure on the QBs,” McGee said. “IT makes our jobs easier at corner and safety.”
After consecutive punts to open the game, Oregon City pulled within 14-7 after converting a fourth and 4 when Benjamin Schneider hit Easton Hunt for the 5-yard touchdown reception. After that, Camas scored touchdowns on four of its next five possessions to take its largest lead at 42-7 inside 5 minutes left in the third.
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CAMAS 48, OREGON CITY 14
Ore. City 0 7 7 0 – 14
Camas 14 14 14 6 – 48
First quarter
C – Ryder Jacobson 8 pass from Jake Davidson (kick good)
C – Anthony Forner 8 pass from Davidson (kick good)
Second quarter
OC – Easton Hunt 5 pass from Benjamin Schneider (kick good)
C – Nikko Speer 2 pass from Davidson (kick good)
C – Chase McGee 50 pass from Davidson (kick good)
Third quarter
C – McGee 39 pass from Davidson (kick good)
C – Thor Brady 11 pass from Davidson (kick good)
OC – Miles Wise 2 pass from Schneider (kick good)
Fourth quarter
C – McGee 54 pass from Davidson (kick failed)
