This is a roundup of Camas High School sports (football, soccer, volleyball, swimming) over the last few days.
State Football Playoffs! Camas Defeats Puyallup 17-7; Advances to Quarterfinals
Camas came from behind in the third quarter Friday night (7-3 at halftime) to score two touchdown passes from QB Taylor Ioane to Brock Thornburg and Mark Thorkelson, which would seal the deal and advance the Papermakers to State Quarter Finals this weekend.
Twenty-six flags were called tonight (16 against Puyallup that cost them 180 yards).
Camas Football advances to State quarter finals.
State Playoffs: Camas High Girls Soccer Team Defeats West Valley (Yakima) 3-2; Advances to Final Four
The Papermakers hosted the Rams at Doc Harris Saturday with Emerson Grafton scoring the first goal. The Rams tied it up in the second half, and Papermaker Maya Parman answered back with a 30-yard goal! She was followed by a goal from Bella Burns to seal the victory.
Camas heads to Puyallup for the last leg of the State Tournament. Final Four!
Volleyball Moves Onto State
After losing their first Bi-Districts match last week, the Camas Volleyball team fought their way back through the loser’s bracket and will compete at State.
Girls Swim Team Wraps Up Season
Federal Way, WA — The Camas Girls Swim team returned to the WIAA State Swimming and Diving Championships this weekend for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic.
The Papermakers sent seven athletes overall to compete in three relays and four individual events.
The Camas 200 Free Relay team (Sophia Wade, Zoe Chapin, Campbell Deringer, and Sydney King) took 11th overall at Saturday’s State Swimming Championships. Deringer competed at Finals for both her individual events (200 IM and 100 Breast) finishing 5th and 11th in state respectively.
Lila McGeachy and Sophia Wade made finals for the 500 Free and the 100 Free respectively.
“It’s an honor to represent Camas at State,” said Deringer. “It was nice to have so many of us there. We had several PR’s.”
Camas sports teams performed well Monday night. Here’s a fun report about how they did.
Boys Golf
Last night in the match against Heritage, and the previously unbeaten team from Col. River, Camas won both matches with a score of 152. Camas @ 152 Col. River @ 169 Heritage @ 244. Eli Huntington, the match medalist, led the team with an even par 36. Owen Huntington @ 38, Evan Chen @ 38, & Caleb Shira @ 40 finished up the Varsity scoring. Cameron Miller with a 43 was the match medalist in the JV match. Varsity 10-0 JV 11-0
Volleyball
Camas Varsity wins 3-0
25-10, 25-9, 25-9
Varsity Stats:
Kiah Hollister- 3 service points, 5 Digs
Delaney Clark – 1 Dig, 5 kills
Grace Varsek – 5 Kills, 1 service point, 7 digs
Chloe Ascuitto – 8 Kills, 2 block
Jessie Westby – 2 digs, 1 ace, 2 service points
Sydney Moltrum – 30 assists, 11 Service points, 4 digs
Boys’ JV tennis beat Union 4-2 yesterday. Doubles were played in all 6 matches. Wins were earned by Aiden McOmie/Julian McOmie, Jeffrey Johanson/Ethan Tobey, Zach Mello/Logan Fishler and Kyle Wen/Jackson Waldbauer. C team also beat the Titans 3-0. Way to go, Camas!
Slow Pitch Softball
Chloe Parker did the opposing team no favors on Monday, picking up five hits over six at bats and leading the Papermakers to a 20-10 win over Skyview. Parker totaled 4 singles and 1 double with 6 RBIs. Piper Stroh also drove in 5 runs with her 4 hits for the game. Other standouts include; Lauren Baffaro 3 for 6, Ali Snyder 3 for 5 w/ 1 RBI, Maggie Lyons 3 for 5 with 1 RBI, Amelia Marcum 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Grace Barsness 3-5 2 RBIs, and Addy Cagle 2-2 with 1 RBI. Way to go Makers!
The CHS boy’s golf team beat Battle Ground 161 to 209. The team was led by the match medalist Owen Huntington @ 36. Eli Huntington @ 41, Evan Chen @ 40, Cameron Miller @ 44, and Drew Scott @ 50 also played in the Varsity match. The JV team of Caleb Shira @44, Leo Cassel @ 50, and Easton Rheaume @ 51 also beat Battle Ground’s JV.
Volleyball
Varsity – Camas won
25-17
22-25
25-18
25-22
Stats: Emmy Hansen- 17 kills, 5 digs, 3 service points Sydney Moltrum- 26 assists, 2 aces, 3 digs, 2 kills, 4 service points Grace Varsek- 5 kills, 2 blocks, 5 digs, 2 service points Alliyah Barnes- 5 kills, 3 blocks, 2 service points Jessie Westby- 4 aces, 2 digs, 4 service points Chloe Asciutto- 4 kills, 2 blocks Halle Reiter- 17 digs, 7 service points, 1 ace
Camas, WA — Camas High School Athletic Director, Rory Oster, announced today that Papermaker sports events will resume Monday, February 22 after an 11-plus month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“With sporting events/games starting on Monday, please be aware of the spectator guidelines with regards to each sport,” Oster said.
GSHL Spectator Update by Sport
Spectators that attend any GSHL event must wear a mask for the duration of their time on school facilities, indoors and outdoors. Spectators must also social distance with a minimum of six feet between individuals outside of their family.
Volleyball – Each athlete, manager and coach will be allotted TWO entrance tickets to their specific contest only. Doors will open for entrance ten minutes before the contest scheduled start time at the North Commons/Gym entrance only, and gyms will be immediately cleared at the conclusion of the contest.
Varsity games will begin at 7:00 pm with a 6:50 pm entrance.
JV games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
C games will begin at 7:00 pm with a 6:50 pm entrance.
4th team games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
Girls Soccer – Each athlete, manager and coach will be allotted TWO entrance tickets to their specific contest only. Main gate will open for entrance ten minutes before the contest scheduled start time, we ask that spectators of the game that has finished, immediately leave the facility.
Varsity games will begin at 7:00 pm
JV games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
C games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
Cross Country – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced along the course and wear a mask at all times.
Boys Tennis – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced along and wear a mask at all times.
Boys Golf – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced along the course and wear a mask at all times.
Slow-pitch Softball – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced and wear a mask at all times. Spectators may need to bring chairs to set up along the outfield fence.
Football – No spectators are allowed at any football events at this time. This includes JV and C team games. We continue to advocate for changes to this rule with the Governor’s office and local department of health and we will immediately adjust if we are able to.
All contests held at Camas High School Gymnasium and Doc Harris Stadium will be live streamed athttps://www.nfhsnetwork.com/ subscriptions can be purchased which will give you access to all volleyball, girls soccer and football games played at Camas School District sites. Other GSHL schools will also be streaming their contests and we will update you with locations of those streams. If they use the NFHS network, your subscription will work for those games as well.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/19113809/E42995F3-7016-48B5-8140-2DF75B82656A.jpeg395938Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2021-02-19 11:57:212021-02-19 11:57:31Camas High School Sports To Resume February 22 After 11-Month Hiatus
Washougal, WA — About 200 Camas High School Papermakers gathered at the Port of Camas Washougal at 6:30 am Thursday to hold an annual tradition — the Senior Sunrise.
The Class of 2021 is starting their school year with remote learning, and will likely stay in this state for at least a couple months, so decided they wanted to gather and feel a sense of normalcy.
“This is just one of the senior year traditions where everybody gathers early in the morning to watch the sunrise,” said Dave Peddie, a Camas High School senior, and State Champion swimmer. “Other schools in the area did it and we wanted to do it too to keep the tradition alive. We got the word out and everyone is here.”
Reactions to the way the school year is starting is mixed. Some say it’s working well, for them, while others would prefer to have school in the classroom.
“It’s going better than we thought,” said Peddie. “The teachers are putting in a lot of work, and they are making sure we’re learning the material we’re supposed to learn. It’s a smooth transition so far.”
Prior to departure, the Camas Swim team decided to provide water entertainment by stripping down to their competition swim suits and plunging into the cold Columbia River.
“We decided to hop in,” said Peddie. “It was Jack’s (Harris) idea. He texted us late last night and he’s like bring your speedos and we’ll do a little swim. It was fun!”
CHS swimmers, wearing competition suits, got into the cold Columbia River.
Harris admitted it was his idea.
“Once I heard about the planning of this Senior Sunrise thing, I thought we’d do the best we can to make memories this year considering everything that’s going on so I thought it would be really funny if me and the guys decided to hop in front of everyone,” said Harris, a CHS Senior and member of the school’s swim team. “I thought it would be something fun to talk about as a good memory. The water wasn’t that bad, but it was refreshing.”
Getting in was the hardest part, said CHS senior, Alex Duma. “Nobody actually wanted to get in, but once we got in it was good.”
Peddie isn’t sure what other events are planned, but he said it was good to gather and connect with friends.
About half the students wore face masks, and they mostly stayed in smaller groups, except for one larger group by the river’s edge. The event lasted about 45 minutes, after which many headed out to eat breakfast.
Hanging out at Senior Sunrise.Friends at Senior Sunrise.Alex Duma exits the river, followed by Nathan Kim.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/03192846/F4BF0692-EC7D-4519-85B4-E4E772226110.jpeg7261280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-03 19:44:392020-09-05 23:19:42Camas High School Senior Sunrise Event Kicks Off 2020-21 School Year
Rory Oster, Camas High School Athletic Director, issued this statement today regarding sports programs:
On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 the athletic directors of the Greater St. Helens 4A/3A League voted to move all high school athletic programs offered during season one to season three of the modified WIAA calendar. While league officials strongly believe in the growth that interscholastic education based athletics provides and want to return student-athletes to the field as soon as possible, we also believe this decision is best for the health and safety of the student athletes, coaches and communities which is always the top priority.
Updated modified schedules for all sports within the league will be released during the early winter months of 2020 on the league website.
Oster also answered frequently asked questions about athletic eligibility. He said the folllwing:
Camas High School has been receiving questions in regards to transferring schools and how that affects athletic eligibility moving forward as a Papermaker. Here are some insights to those questions based on the current WIAA handbook. Please remember that all transfer eligibility rules are for varsity competition only. All registered Camas High School, Hayes Freedom High School and Discovery High School students are eligible to participate at the non-varsity level of the programs offered.
18.11.2 The following students who are attending a member school shall be deemed to meet the residence rule requirement and transferring student rule requirements: A. A student whose transfer is based on a bona fide change of residence to a new school (district) due to an actual physical relocation of and with the entire family unit to a different residence and preceded by termination of all occupancy of their previous residence.
FAQ: Can our daughter begin school in Arizona since they are allowing students to attend regular class, but transfer back to Camas High School once they return students to the classroom and be eligible for athletics?
Answer: As long as the entire family unit (everybody that currently lives in current home) moves to Arizona to attend school, and then has the entire family unit move back to Camas is eligible for varsity competition. Please note that entire family unit must move, one parent cannot stay at the house in Camas while another is with the child in Arizona.
FAQ: Can our son enroll in a local private school this fall that is offering in person learning and return to Camas School District once they return to in person learning and be eligible?
Answer-As the WIAA handbook currently reads, the answer is no. They made the move for academic purposes and in that choice forfeited varsity eligibility for one calendar year upon the return to CSD.
18.13.3 There can be no evidence that either the student transferred for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics or transferred as a result of having been recruited for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics.
FAQ: Can my son who is a senior transfer to play football this fall in South Dakota and return to Camas High School in January to participate in football in the spring?
Answer-Any student who is deemed to transfer strictly for athletic purposes are ineligible to compete at the varsity level for one calendar year.
A student-athlete may always apply for a waiver/hardship exception when they are deemed ineligible. Those cases are heard by a local committee and decided upon at that time. They fall under the rule listed below:
18.13.0 RESIDENCE RULE WAIVER – Transferring students, unless eligible via 18.10.0 through 18.11.0, shall be deemed to have transferred at will and must apply to the WIAA District Eligibility Committee for a waiver of the Residence Rule. Such an application shall be processed under the appeal provisions contained in Article 19 of this Handbook. The procedure for evaluating a transferring student’s application will be as follows: 18.13.1 The student must meet all other eligibility requirements of Article 18 of this Handbook. 18.13.2 The student must establish a hardship as defined under the provisions of Article 19.1.0 and as determined by the District Eligibility Committee. 18.13.3 There can be no evidence that either the student transferred for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics or transferred as a result of having been recruited for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics. 18.13.4 In addition to the above requirements, the District Eligibility Chairperson shall, as an added condition of eligibility, require that a transferring student submit a WIAA Previous School Statement. A copy of the signed form must be retained on file in the school office for the duration of the student’s attendance at that school.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/07094625/08BAFC4D-E895-488F-A25A-5F82AD09B5F0.jpeg6421690Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-08-13 17:43:342020-08-13 17:43:43Greater St. Helens League Moves All Season 1 Sports to Modified Season 3
RENTON, WA — Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) issued this statement Tuesday evening:
The WIAA Executive Board took action on Tuesday to modify the 2020-21 WIAA sports season calendar in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes will create four WIAA-sanctioned seasons and will also move moderate- and high-risk team sports, originally scheduled for the fall season, to the WIAA Season 3.
The fall sports of cross country, slowpitch softball, as well as alternative seasons for golf and tennis, have been determined to consist of WIAA Season 1 and will each begin practices the week of September 7, a date determined by the Executive Board at a previous meeting. The viability of girls’ swim and dive taking place in WIAA Season 1 is dependent on more information from the Department of Health.
The remaining fall sports of girls’ soccer, 1B/2B boys soccer, volleyball and football will now be scheduled to begin in the early spring of 2021 as part of WIAA Season 3.
The Board recognizes that participation in any fall sports will depend on county progression through the phases laid out in Governor Inslee’s Safe Start plan over the coming weeks. The Executive Board will create benchmarks on July 28 to be met in order for WIAA Season 1 to take place. If the benchmarks are not met, the Board will plan to move the remainder of fall sports to WIAA Season 3.
Traditional winter sports will all take place in WIAA Season 2 with the expectation to begin in late December or early January. Traditional spring sports will occupy WIAA Season 4 to end the school year.
The supporting document below provides tentative dates of when seasons could potentially start and end, but a final decision has not been determined by the Board.
“Since March, the philosophy of our Association has been to allow students every chance to participate,” said WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman. “We’ve asked our Executive Board and planning committees to be as creative as possible in allowing for those opportunities. These are tough and unprecedented decisions to make, but it has been inspiring to see so many people around the state come together to work on behalf of students.”
The WIAA Executive Board and planning committees are working under the Return-To-Activity Guidelines supported and co-authored by the National Federation of High Schools, Washington Department of Health and the Governor’s Office, as well as sport-specific guidelines set forth by WIAA committees made up of coaches, athletic directors, students, officials and local health professionals. Those guidelines can be found on the WIAA Website.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074251/3D350052-E9D8-4AA1-B190-88BEC1703AC7.jpeg6461280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-07-21 19:08:002020-07-21 19:08:07WIAA Releases Modified 2020-21 Sports Season; Moves Football to Spring
Camas High School will be honoring several Papermakers as they sign their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 at Camas High School North Commons beginning at 9:00a.m. You are welcome to attend the event. The following student-athletes will be signing:
SOPHIE FRANKLINwill be signing to play softball for the Wolves of Western Oregon in Monmouth Oregon. Sophie will finish her high school career earning a very impressive eightvarsity letters from Camas High School. Sophie lettered all four years in both slowpitch and fastpitch softball. She has been instrumental in leading the Papermaker slowpitch softball team to two league and two district titles, along with two trips to the state tournament. Sophie’s fastpitchteams have reached the state tournament during all three of her varsity seasons so far earning a 4th place finish in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, and a 7th place finish her junior season. Sophie has earned GSHL All-League 1st team honors all four years in slowpitch, capped with a Player of the Year honor her Junior season. In fastpitch Sophie was GSHL All-League 2ndteam her sophomore season and GSHL All-League 1st team her junior season, with her senior season still to come. While in Monmouth, Sophie will be studying social sciences and American Sign Language.
Parents Joe and Anneli Franklin – Placing 4th in two state tournaments, and all the bus rides to state and bi-district tournaments.
BRYCE LEIGHTONis the next Papermaker kicker from a long line of excellence to be moving on to play football in college. Bryce will be playing for the Bobcats of Montana State in Bozeman Montana. Bryce is a three year letterman in football. He is a two time GSHL All-League 1st team award winner, and during his senior campaign was also recognized as 1st team All-State and the very first Papermaker Under Armour All-American. Bryce was an important piece to the Papermaker undefeated state champion team his senior season. While in Bozeman, Bryce will be studying environmental engineering.
Parents Ryan and Lori Leighton – Memorable moment was winning the 2019 Washington State Championship.
ELIZABETH PARKER is also headed across the river, and she will be playing soccer for the Western Oregon Wolves in Monmouth Oregon. Elizabeth lettered in soccer for the Papermakers three years. During those three years, her teams were GSHL league champions twice and finished with a 3rd place state finish her sophomore year and a 2nd place state finish her junior year. Elizabeth has been recognized as a GSHL All-League player during all of her three seasons with 2nd team honors her sophomore and junior seasons and 1st team honors her senior season. She is a two time GSHL academic All-League award winner, and will study elementary education while playing for the Wolves.
Parents Scott and Tamar Parker – Memorable moment playing for the state championship in 2018, and Coach Minders stories and his attempt to teach me German.
RUSH REIMER will be joining his teammate on the football team in Bozeman Montana to play for the Bobcats of Montana State University. Rush is a two year letterman in football and also received a letter for winter cheer. Rush has received GSHL All-League 1st team honors his junior and senior seasons, and was also recognized as 1st team All-State his senior season. His efforts on the offensive line helped the Papermakers to an undefeated season and the schools second state championship in 2019. While playing for the Bobcats, Rush will be studying engineering.
Parents Eric and Jamie Reimer – Memorable moment winning the state championship in 2019.
ALEXZANDER SAMODUROV will be traveling further than any Papermaker has traveled as he will be playing soccer for Liverpool John Moores University in Brownlow Hill Liverpool United Kingdom. Alexzander will be a four season letterman for the Papermakers lettering in soccer for three seasons and lettered in cross country one season. He has been recognized as GHSL All-League 1st team his sophomore and junior seasons with still his senior season to play. Alexzander also received All-Region selection his junior season for leading the GSHL in assists on the season. In Liverpool Alexzander plans to study engineering.
Parents Cliff and JenniferSamodurov – Memorable moment goal against Issaquah in the 2019 season.
RILEY SINCLAIRis our first Papermaker baseball player to sign in 2020. Riley will be playing for the Redhawks of Seattle University in Seattle next year. Riley will end up a three year letterman for the Papermakers, and led his team to a GSHL league championship, district championship and an appearance in the state tournament his junior season. He was selected as GSHL All-League 1st team and 1st team All-State his junior season with his senior season still yet to play. Riley will study sports science and physical therapy while attending school in Seattle.
Parents Eric and Marin Sinclair – Memorable moment sweeping Skyview High School junior season.
TRISTAN SOUZAwill be headed east to play football for the Cougars of Washington State University. Tristan is also a three year letterman for the Papermakers and will leave Camas High School as a state champion winning a league and state championship during his senior season in 2019. Tristan has received high recognition playing on both offense and defense for the Papermakers. He is a GSHL All-League 1st team offensive and defensive lineman, along with an All-Region and 1st team All-State defensive lineman. Tristan is undecided on what he will study in Pullman
Parents Aaron MacDonald and Emily Tanner – Memorable moment winning a state championship in 2019.
CAADYN STEPHENis the third Papermaker offensive lineman to be recognized today, as he will be playing football in Los Angeles California for the University of Southern California Trojans. Caadyn played his freshman and sophomore years in Anchorage Alaska before moving to Camas. He will earn two football letters, one basketball letter and one track and field letter as a Papermaker. Caadyn is also involved with the Camas High School unified basketball program. Although he was injured for most of his senior season, he played a large part in the Papermakers second state championship in 2019. While playing for USC, Caadyn will study business and entrepreneurship.
Parents Jeremiah and Camie Stephen – Memorable moment winning state championship in 2019.
LAURISSA TSUKIMURA is signing to play soccer for Pacific University in Forest Grove Oregon. Laurissa has been a part of the girls’ soccer program as well as the Camas High School unified soccer for two years. She is an honors scholarship winner, and has been recognized for several academic awards at Camas High School. While playing soccer for the Boxers, Laurissawill be studying education.
Parents Lance and Tish Tsukimura –
KENNETH WRIGHT is our fourth Papermaker state champion football player that is moving on to play football at the college level next year. Kenny will be playing for the Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines in Boulder Colorado. He is a three year letterman in football and a one year letterman in basketball. Kenny served as captain of the state championship team and is a four time GSHL scholar athlete award winner, along with a National Football Foundation scholar athlete award winner and to take it a step further he is also a National Merit semifinalist. While in Boulder and wearing Blaster the Burro mascot, Kenny will be studying Civil Engineering.
Parents Nick and KristenWright – Memorable moment winning the 4A team state championship.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/07074130/4D812A26-7EEE-4415-A7FD-CF19F5BB8A14-e1580873655757.jpeg6491280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-02-04 19:37:292020-02-04 19:37:41Camas High School Letter of Intent Day This Wednesday
After literally a year of preparation, the 2019 Camas Football team clinched Washington’s 4A State Title defeating Bothell 35-14 Satuday bringing home the trophy, a perfect 14-0 record, and the satisfaction of meeting a lofty goal. The Revenge Tour is a wrap.
Lacamas Magazine has reported on the team through 14 game videos, many individual interviews, some articles and a lot of social media posts. After working through the weekend to get those reports to our readers, I had the chance to listen to — and view — those earlier reports and found some common threads about the Revenge Tour.
I also reflected on pre-game conversations with team members at the field and in my own house. I recall when Papermakers Jackson Clemmer and Colin Pearson came home with Jordan Geigenmiller (my third son) following a hot August practice to raid our pantry. It was Clemmer who told me “Papa Giggles, we’re gonna win State this year!” Colin nodded, and Jordan aka “Giggles” just said “yep, dad!”
A few days earlier, I spoke with Papermaker Kenny Wright during the team’s pre-season kickball event. In his interview he said “we’re gonna win them all!” See the video here: https://youtu.be/on-cQ_kY26U
So, that brings us to the first common thread: Determination.
In every interview, whether posted or not, each player was determined to get the win. They were determined to overcome any obstacle. If someone got injured, a player filled the deficit. There was never any doubt about the outcome because it was decided a year ago they’d win the State Title.
I’d hear doubts come from fans, other reporters, and people on the street about the impacts and effects of injuries on key players. Observers said “well, maybe they have a chance at State …”
Note to the doubters: That only fueled their determination. They read those articles, watched those videos, and heard those comments. These boys never doubted they’d win State.
Tai Tumanuvao, O/DL, a talented athlete and well spoken dude, said it best following the win in the semi-finals: “Play where you are … focus on where your feet are, that’s what coach always says …”
So, that brings us to the second common thread: Focus.
I watched several pre-season practices, listened to observer perceptions and could tell they were focused on what they were doing at that moment. Then, after the first quarter of the first game, I really saw it. Following seven years covering CHS sports I thought I’d seen it all, but then I saw the 2019 team in real action. The sideline talk was kept to game focused plays, and there wasn’t a lot off-topic discussions happening. They were focused on the game plan, focused on what the coaches told them, and focused on winning despite whatever mistake may have happened.
“We focus on the moment,” said Charlie Bump, WR. “You shake off what happened five minutes ago, and make the moment you’re in count.”
Undoubtedly, CHS has been coached by the best in the State, and probably some of the best in the nation. Using their God-given talents they’ve led by example and encouraged their players to lead on and off the field making it clear that character counts.
Camas 2019 Football team at the State Championship.The Seniors. Class of 2020.
So, that brings us to the third common thread: Leadership.
During these games, I look for the leaders, and typically it’s one of the quarterbacks, but that isn’t always the case. I could see leadership qualities in Tumanuvao, but I also saw them in Jake Blair, Blake Asciutto, Randy Yaacoub, Dante Humble, Tyler Forner, and many others.
So, one night I asked my son about leadership. I asked “which player is leading this team, son?”
His reply: “Dad, it depends on the situation. Sometimes it’s Tai, sometimes it’s Blake, it just depends. We all know when to lead and when it’s time to step back and follow. It’s a brotherhood.”
During his State Championship interview, I asked Wright what are the ingredients to a successful team?
His reply: “Love, friendship, hard work, persistence, we bought into it and believed in ourselves and each other …”
So, that brings us to the fourth common thread: Love.
Yes, you read that right — love! These guys love each other as brothers. They fight as brothers. They correct each other as brothers. They poke fun of each other as brothers. And, when one man is down, they stop what they’re doing and lift up that brother. It’s what families do, and this team was — and probably will forever be — a family.
That love has built up over the years as these boys played CCYF football, Little League, basketball, rugby and other sports together over the years. They built up a working chemistry and connection since elementary school that’s transferred into young adulthood and onto the field.
The Columbian’s sports writer, Tim Martinez, wrote a brilliant piece a few weeks ago, which we now call the Nebula story. In the article he said: “Part of Camas’ success In 2019 could be rooted in the fact that the Papermakers don’t have a star. They have a nebula. Camas has a roster of really good players who can seemingly step into a key role and perform in a big way. The Papermakers have done it all year.“
Martinez was right. I thanked him personally for writing that article. He nailed it.
So, that brings us to the fifth common thread: Athletic Talent.
You can’t build a State Championship team without athletic talent, and it went all across the spectrum. Camas has the best O Line in the state. QB Jake Blair is gifted, and when he broke his collarbone, Blake Asciutto stood right next to Blair as they assessed his condition. Asciutto took that mantle without missing a beat. Clemmer is a talented wide receiver. Running Back Jacques Badolato-Birdsell is a star. There’s Tyler Forner, Dante Humble, Randy Yaacoub, Bryce Leighton, Rush Reimer, Tristan Souza, Tumanuvao, Tyler Criddle, Bump, and many more.
The doubters kept telling me all week, “but Bothell has an amazing quarterback!”
My reply: “Yes, and that’s what they said about Mount Si. What else would you like to add?”
These boys know they’re talented, and sometimes they do show off, and I think they’re entitled to that, but most of the time they’re focused on getting the job done.
But, why isn’t athletic talent at the top of the list?
“You have to have heart,” said Head Coach Jon Eagle in one of our first interviews. “We can coach anybody who has heart.”
The athletic talent would be nothing without Determination, Focus, Leadership and Love. It would be hollow. See our Championship post-game interview with Coach Eagle, who explains this: https://youtu.be/on-cQ_kY26U
It was great to interview so many players moments after their big State win. It was a surreal moment captured after 12 months of determination, focus, leadership, love and sheer athletic talent. Nicely done, boys. We look forward to seeing what your future brings.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074243/69CDAA83-F210-4D62-98C8-CAFDC5D69EF4.jpeg6061280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-10 20:19:352019-12-10 20:19:46Camas Football 2019 State Champions: 5 Common Threads
Seattle, WA – The Camas Jets 12U Pop Warner football team has been invited to compete in a regional qualifying event with top teams moving onto the Pro Football Hall of Fame National Championship in Canton, Ohio. These top teams will compete to the world championship on December 10th-14th at the Johnson Controls Pro Football Hall of Fame Village and Tom Benson Stadium. Every championship game in Canton will be televised or streamed on CBS Sports Network.
The qualifying event will invite top teams from throughout the region to compete for exciting post-season football on Nov. 21st- Nov. 24th in the Northwest Regional in Seattle Washington. Regional qualifying events will take place in the following cities: New York/New Jersey, New Mexico, Richmond VA, Canton Ohio, Dallas Texas, Santa Clara CA, Valley Forge PA, Gulf Shores AL, and Wichita, KS.
Teams will be represented from seven unweighted divisions, four weighted divisions and three all-star divisions.
Teams that qualify for the national championship in Canton will take part in national media day, a red-carpet ceremony with Gold Jackets and the Game for Life program that will provide character development to all athletes and coaches. The program was created by the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with Hall of Famers.
The national selection process is headed by former NFL General Manager, Ray Farmer and National Collegiate Scout, Gary Howard. More than 2,500 top teams from across the country will be considered in 2019.
“We are thrilled to share the vision of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and LEGACY Global Sports with the next generation of promising athletes,” Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker said. “This youth championship series, the biggest in the history of youth football, will feature athletes and coaches competing in the most exciting post-season weekend in football with every team aiming for the championship. Just as important, all of these fine athletes, win or lose, will be immersed in the values of football through the Game for Life Program authored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and its Gold Jacket members that teach life skills that serve athletes beyond the game of football.”
Camas Jets Pop Warner 12U team.
The championship event is owned by Legacy Global Sports and directed by Richard McGuinness, who created the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on NBC, the Eastbay All- American Game and other top football properties over the past 15 years. McGuinness sold his interest in his previous company to re-imagine the nation’s top showcase events for youth, high school and soon to be NFL athletes through showcase events like the Championship series.
“This national showcase event will bring the nation’s top youth teams and youth athletes together like no other and it will serve as a cornerstone property for football in America. With regional play, a blue-ribbon selection team and a final championship weekend in Canton, this is the ultimate in youth football,” McGuinness said.
By 2020, the championship event will be featured in the indoor football stadium at the village that will include 8,000 seats, a perfect place to celebrate the best in youth football.
“As the world of football recruiting continues to get younger, this event will also serve as the first phase of player identification in the nation. Through our extensive collection of game film from this event along with NFL style evaluations, we are provided a unique opportunity to identify nation’s best youth athletes like no one else,” said National Event Director, Marc Boldurian . “We are excited to invite elite teams such as the East County Camas Jets team to represent their state and compete for regional supremacy in the largest youth championship in the world.”
Team nominations for next year are currently hosted at www.youthfootballchampionship.com Event sponsors include Xenith, Jet Fuel, Wilson and Shadowman.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/07074514/E0ACBBBE-BBDB-494C-8001-13A1CC2C9F6C.jpeg8731993Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-11-15 00:05:482019-11-15 00:06:45Camas Jets Pop Warner Football Team Preps for Regionals Event
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