The Camas Varsity Football team ended their 2015 season at the State Quarterfinals, which was hosted by the Skyline Spartans. The final score was 35-10. We’ve posted a final photo album at our Facebook site. Photos by Blake Schnell. Go to https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.926189577436700.1073741893.244764548912543&type=3
 |
| Jared Bentley scores the winning touchdown of Saturday’s game. |
by Ernie Geigenmiller
Photos by Blake Schnell
CAMAS — Papermaker Football fans got their money’s worth at Saturday’s playoff game against the Skyview Storm in a competition that saw plenty of turnovers, defensive scores for both teams, and a successful drive near the end of the fourth quarter that made the difference.
It was a playoff game that was a battle early on, as neither side left anything on the field. The top-ranked Camas Papermakers etched out a victory on their home turf at Doc Harris Stadium, taking the lead with just 2 minutes and 16 seconds remaining to beat rival Skyview 29-22 in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.
 |
| Bentley celebrates his TD with teammates. |
Both sides eagerly wanted to play Skyline next week in the quarterfinals.
Papermaker fans expected a routing like they did during the regular season, when Camas smashed Skyview 41-10, and the opening moments of Saturday’s playoff game looked to tell that same story. Papermaker Drake Owen returned the game’s opening kickoff, running 95 yards for a Camas touchdown. That happened in the first 17 seconds.
But, the story quickly shifted.
Skyview answered back with a safety and an 83-yard touchdown pass to take a 9-7 lead before the end of the first quarter. Defense dominated the game, and offenses kept punting.
Papermaker Cooper McNatt changed the game with an interception, as Jordan Del Moral moved the ball 48 yards, with QB Liam Fitzgerald taking the ball the final two yards for their second touchdown, giving Camas a 14-9 edge.
 |
| Running back Jordan Del Moral. |
That was the score at halftime.
Jack Colletto lit up the fans by returning an interception for a 94-yard touchdown. The score was Camas, 21, Skyview, 9.
But the Storm wasn’t finished.
An 80-yard touchdown pass to Travis Yajko put them within 5 points of the Papermakers. The Storm then took advantage of a Camas fumble early in the fourth quarter, pushing them to a 22-21 advantage. Camas fans got nervous. That was Camas’ fourth turnover.
And both teams would fumble the ball again later in the fourth quarter.
 |
| Wide Receiver Hunter Bruno goes down. |
Jared Bentley, Hunter Bruno and Del Moral completed three consecutive first downs to bring the Papermakers to the 23-yard line with 2:23 left. Bentley caught the game-winning 23-yard touchdown pass from Fitzgerald, and both players connected again on the 2-point conversion to put the Papermakers up by seven.
 |
||
| QB Liam Fitzgerald battled all night, but in the end made a 23-yard TD pass that sealed the victory. |
That gave Skyview football just over 2 minutes to respond, until McNatt nailed his second interception of the night – dashing the Storm’s hopes of a last minute drive. After a first down, Camas took a knee.
The undefeated Camas team travels to Sammamish next weekend to face Skyline (10-1) in the state quarterfinals.
 |
| Wide Receiver Sean Ramage. |
The Papermakers Girls Swimming team won their 4A District victory at Pasco over the weekend. The Lady Papermakers earned a total of 254 points. In the photo, team captains Jessica Rourke and Brooke Kelly are holding the trophy.
Several girls advance to State competition in Federal Way.
PASCO, WA — It was expected, but it wasn’t a given, as the Camas Girls XC team won their second consecutive State title on Saturday, which was their fourth in five years.
Freshman Rachel Blair finished fourth, covering the 5,000 meter course at Sun Willows Golf Course in 18 minutes, 10 seconds. Sophomore Emma Jenkins was seventh in 18:17, and sophomore Emily Wilson was was in thirteenth place, clocking in at 18:30.
Maddie Woodson and Kaylee Merritt rounded out the five scoring Camas runners, who posted a team score of 81 points.
Many of the girls also compete in Track & Field, as well as run for club teams, so they are well-conditioned all year long. Blair also said their team is coached well, and that although it’s an individual sport, the girls on the team work well together, and encourage each other to excel, and to do their absolute best.
The team begins practice before school even begins in September, and they always set lofty goals for themselves.
More details to come.
 |
| From left to right: Brooke Roy, Madison Child, Ellie Postma, Rachel Blair, Maddie Woodson, Emily Wilson, Emma Jenkins, Kaylee Merritt, & Alexa jones.comprised the State Champion Camas XC team. |
Camas — The Papermaker’s football offense spoke loud and clear Friday night in the first round of 4A playoffs at Doc Harris Stadium. And the defense screamed loudly too, in a 49-6 crushing of the Bethel Braves.
It was over by halftime. The fans loved it.
Wide Receiver Jordan Del Moral ran for four first-half touchdowns, and Camas scored touchdowns on their first five possessions. It was a fantastic game for QB, Liam Fitzgerald, who passed the ball to a variety of receivers throughout the night.
“We had a great night,” said Fitzgerald. “I hope we do well again next week. We’ve been putting in the time, and we have an amazing team here.”
Del Moral scored the first four Camas touchdowns on runs from inside the 10. He finished with 66 rushing yards and another 70 on three receptions.
 |
| WR Jordan Del Moral ran for four first-half touchdowns. |
In the first half, Fitzgerald completed 16 of 23 throws for 237 yards. Among them was a 43-yard catch and run by Drake Owen for the fifth Camas touchdown.
Coach Jon Eagle, like his players, enjoyed the sixth first-half touchdown, which was a 51-yard interception return by Blake Roy.
“I appreciate how hard the boys played tonight,” said Eagle. “We work them very hard, and it shows. It’s also a reflection of all the coaches, and the support of all these great fans here at Doc Harris Stadium.”
 |
| Senior Sean Ramage is announced. |
The Braves only had a net 19 yards rushing, with 142 passing yards, with three completions of more than 30 yards.
The Papermakers return this Friday at Doc Harris Stadium.
COMMENTARY: I don’t always pay too close attention to the winners of the Camas Homecoming Court. It’s surely a good thing, and I’m sure the kids are deserving of the honor, but the current Camas High School Freshman class nailed it when they voted Grant Heiser as their Homecoming Prince. Why?
Well, my family has known Grant since he was 8 years old. He played in Camas Little League, and he was one of those diamonds in the rough. I saw how this happy kid really struggled at the plate. I saw how he struggled with the mechanics of learning a very tough sport.
I replied to his stepfather years ago: “Grant has the raw skills. If he works at it, he’ll be a rock star.”
Turns out my prediction was right. Grant is a rock star.
He’s superb at baseball, and has turned into a stellar all-around athlete. Why? Because he worked at it. He worked harder than anybody around him. He cared more than anybody else. Plus, he was fair and caring, and wanted the best for his team. But, it’s more than that. It’s more than athletics.
Grant is a good person, and one day he will be a good man. He has a competitor’s heart, but he also has a tender heart, and you can see that in his countenance. The boy loves life, and those around him. He works hard for his achievements and expects nothing less from those around him.
And, you know that scar by his left eye? A Geigenmiller gave that to him. Yes, it was a total accident, during a little warming up for a sandlot during an All-Star game. For years I cringed every time I saw that scar, knowing one of my sons gave that to him. I remember the entire event like it was yesterday.
But now, I look at that scar as a permanent connection to a person, and to a family that I love.
So, to the Freshman class: You got it very right this year. Grant is a prince, and you’re lucky to have him.
Godspeed, Grant.
Sincerely,
Ernie Geigenmiller
Wenn jemand über deine Witze lacht, die sonst keiner versteht – das ist wahre Liebe.
#dua #duadatingapp #FINDTHEONE
Zenith x AI
We have been working to bridge the gap between #AI functionality, and the #ETH blockchain.
Today, we present our #Zenith AI tool. Join today to start using: https://t.me/ZenithChainStatsBot
$ZW
Have you ever received a text from McAfee asking to download our app?
Remember, McAfee will never ask you to install our apps via a mobile SMS message. Only install McAfee Mobile Security through official app stores, such as Google Play and Apple's App Store.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE STUDY
Your taxpayer dollars are funding 90% negative coverage of Republicans on @PBS's @washingtonweek with @TheAtlantic
;
