Beavers coming off loss to league-favorite Hockinson

Woodland Beavers (1-2, 0-1 2A GSHL)

Week 1: Kalama 26, Woodland 14 Week 2: Woodland 35, La Center 28 Week 3: Hockinson 49, Woodland 27 Next: Woodland vs. Hudson’s Bay, 5 p.m. Friday at Kiggins Bowl The Beavers were there, sticking with Hockinson for three quarters before the Hawks pulled away in the 2A GSHL opener for both squads.

Plays that led to The Plays:

There were 11 touchdowns in this game total, so I thought it would be fun to highlight a play or two that led to the touchdowns. (Doing the same for Hockinson in its report.)

• No.1: The Beavers had three third-down conversions on the TD that tied the game at 7-all. It looked to me like Tristan Harris made a great grab with a defender all over him for the first conversion. Quarterback Wyatt Harsh had a designed run for the second conversion. Then the third one was just a fantastic play. It was third-and-20, and Harsh threw a bomb to Alex Bishop. The defender and Bishop both reached for the ball, but Bishop was an inch taller, grabbed the ball, and ended up with a 45-yard gain. That set up a great TD catch by Tyler Flanagan.
• No. 2: Woodland likes the screen play. And why not? The Beavers have a line that knows how to block, a quarterback who knows how to deceive the defense, and a running back who knows what to do when he catches the ball. Kenyon Guy had a 21-yard play on this TD drive.
• No. 3: It worked so well that other drive, the Beavers went to it twice on this one. Two screens, one to the right, one to the left. Total of 25 yards to Guy.
• No. 4: Christian Yager hauled in a 26-yard pass from Harsh, and he paid for it, too. He got hit hard. Held on to the ball, though. Then he was rewarded. He got the touchdown that drew Woodland within eight points at 35-27 in the third quarter.

Defensive play of the night:

Hockinson had a good 2-minute offense going toward the end of the half. The Hawks got close, too. But Woodland’s Logan Knight got a quarterback sack on the final play of the half, keeping it a seven-point game.

Coach Speak:

MVP on offense: Christian Yager. Three catches for 75 yards and two TDs. MVP on defense: Logan Knight. Seven solo tackles, including that huge sack at the end of the half, two assists, one pass deflection,   Thoughts on Week 4 vs. Hudson’s Bay: “We need to rebound against a very good Bay team,’’ said Woodland coach Mike Woodward. “ They are big and physical.”   This also is Woodward’s first trip back to Kiggins Bowl since he coached Hudson’s Bay from 2004-2006.