Ridgefield looks to get back in Class 2A Greater St. Helens League race

After four straight losses, Ridgefield will try to get back into the win column with a game at Mark Morris Friday.

Spudders are 0-2 in GSHL action heading into Friday’s game at Mark Morris

Ridgefield Spudders (1-4, 0-2, 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 45, Ridgefield 15 Week 5: Washougal 34, Ridgefield 14 Next: vs. Mark Morris, 7 p.m. Friday at Longview Memorial Stadium Another strong first quarter, followed by a tough end to the first half. That has now happened two weeks in a row to the Spudders.

Early success:

The Spudders had something going in the first quarter. Jeremy Martin broke free for a 61-yard run to the 10-yard line, then Hunter Abrams scored from there. Abrams was actually met by the Washougal defense at the 8-yard line, but he refused to go down, bounced off a couple would-be tacklers and raced to the end zone. Just a little more than a minute into the game, the Spudders had the lead. Washougal responded with a long drive on its first possession, getting a first down at the Ridgefield 11-yard line.

Bryce Lawrence met the ball carrier on the first-down play for a loss of 3 yards, with an assist from Abrams. The next play went for a loss of a yard. And there was an incomplete pass on third down with Brock Harrison pressuring the quarterback. That led to a field goal attempt that was missed, and Ridgefield kept its 6-0 lead.

Second-quarter troubles:

Washougal would get three second-quarter touchdowns. The last two in a two-minute span toward the end of the half. The Spudders had a similar scenario the previous week, hanging tough with the Hockinson Hawks but allowing two quick scores just before half.

Promising:

The Spudders did get the final score of the game when Harrison caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Dawson Lieurance. The Spudders also moved the ball for much of the second half against a good defense. Ridgefield had three other drives of at least eight plays, but all ended in turnovers. The turnovers are no good for the Spudders, but they have to feel good about picking up a few first downs against an undefeated team.

Coach Speak:

What did Kim Ulman learn about his team in Week 5? “We have a great deal of improvement that needs to happen if we would like to be playing in November.” MVP on offense: Jeremy Martin with around 100 yards from scrimmage. MVP on defense: Makani Schultz. “The trap is one of Washougal’s favorite and most successful plays,’’ Ulman said. “Makani did an excellent job of neutralizing that.” Thoughts on Week 6 vs. Mark Morris: “We will need to play better than we did in Week 5,’’ Ulman said. “Playing on the road is always more difficult. Mark Morris will be highly motivated. They are on a 15-game losing streak, it’s Homecoming, they feel like they should have beaten Washougal, and I’m sure my former fellow coaches and players would like to beat me.”