Ridgefield hopes to climb into Class 2A GSHL race

After a loss to league favorite Hockinson, Ridgefield hopes to get into the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League race with a win over unbeaten Washougal.

Spudders play host to unbeaten Washougal in Week 5

Ridgefield Spudders (1-3, 0-1 2A GSHL)

Week 1: Ridgefield 41, Castle Rock 0 Week 2: W.F. West 33, Ridgefield 13 Week 3: La Center 35, Ridgefield 7 Week 4: Hockinson 42, Ridgefield 15 Next: Washougal at Ridgefield, 7 p.m. Friday The Spudders were in it for a half against one of the top teams in the state, let alone the top team in the 2A GSHL.

The long TD run:

Ridgefield’s Jeremy Martin found daylight and took off for a 59-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to make it a 7-7 game. But of course, it is never about one player when a long run happens. Makani Schultz, the center, did his job, keeping the nose tackle from doing anything to threaten the play. Left guard Simon Berkey turned his defensive lineman away from the play. Left tackle Calvin Staker appeared to be ready to help Berkey but that was not needed so Staker went after a Hockinson linebacker. Right guard Bryce Lawrence pulled and got in the way of a linebacker trying to close the edge. Right tackle Cameron Salewski pulled and was in position to make a block but his guy dove for Martin and missed. And tight end Brock Harrison also was in position to make a block, but there was no one left to block. That’s how good this play worked for the Spudders.

Defensive highlights:

Matthew Gama had an interception for the Spudders. Andrew Rommel and Schultz had sacks on back-to-back plays in the first half. The Spudders, in fact, were in this one. Again, it was 7-7 after a quarter and even when it was just 14-7, there was still hope. A misfire on special teams put the defense in a tough position and Hockinson would make it 21-7 at the half.

Coach Speak:

What did Kim Ulman learn about his team in Week 4? “Two weeks in a row we were able to hang with very good teams for around two quarters. We need to continue to work on our consistency.” MVP on offense: Jeremy Martin. He had 170 yards of total offense, plus that long TD run. MVP on defense: “Matt Gama did a great job covering their No. 1 receiver and had an interception,” Ulman said. Thoughts on Week 5 vs. Washougal: “We get to head back home after two weeks on the road,’’ Ulman said. “Washougal is a physical team (that) wants to run the ball and mix in play action. It will be a good test for us and give us a better understanding of where we stand in our league.”