Fort Vancouver faces Kelso in Class 3A Greater St. Helens League matchup

Fort Vancouver continues to work on its long-range project, which is changing the culture of its struggling football program.

Trappers’ record fell to 0-4 with last week’s loss to Benson (Ore.)

Fort Vancouver Trappers (0-4)

Week 1: King’s Way Christian 56, Fort Vancouver 0 Week 2: The Dalles (Ore.) 32, Fort Vancouver 0 Week 3: Hoquiam 49, Fort Vancouver 16 Week 4: Benson (Ore.) 18, Fort Vancouver 0 Next: Kelso vs. Fort Vancouver, 5 p.m. Friday at Kiggins Bowl Didn’t get a chance to watch this game, but here are some notes courtesy coach Steve Broussard. What did Broussard learn about his team in Week 4? “The guys fought. We played well on defense. We had four takeaways. We had a couple of blocked punts. We had opportunities. Just didn’t get it done offensively.  Had some guys out, guys hurt on the offensive line. We kind of got exposed in that area. But defensively, played well.” MVP on defense: The coach noted strong play from several Trappers, including Shawn Mintah, Ezekiel Block, Prince Samuel Isaako, and Zijeon Lawrence. But he went with Nehemiah Polk-Rasheed as the MVP on defense. “Nehemiah continues to show that grit, making plays, running down stuff. He flashes at you at times.”

Thoughts Week 5 vs. Kelso: “They are who they are. They do what they do,’’ Broussard said. “They want to run the ball, run the ball, do a little play action, and run the ball. Have to have the bend-don’t-break (defense). Try to make them do some things they don’t want to do. Our challenge is up front. Starts with the offensive and defensive line. We gotta get better.” Changing the culture: The results have not yet changed in regard to the win-loss record and Broussard acknowledged this is a long-range project. This year’s team is improving. Just have to get over the mental hurdle. “We have to fight through adversity. Sometimes when you’ve been losing a lot, if something bad happens, we go, ‘Oh, here we go.’ We have to break that cycle,” the coach said. “Something bad happens? So what? Now let’s play the next play. We’re trying to get that mindset here. It’s coming slowly but surely.”