Beavers head into Class 2A Greater St. Helens League matchups with a mentality they need to win every game

Woodland Beavers (1-3, 0-1 2A GSHL)

Week 1: Kalama 26, Woodland 14 Week 2: Woodland 35, La Center 28 Week 3: Hockinson 49, Woodland 27 Week 4: Hudson’s Bay 16, Woodland 15 Next: Woodland at R.A. Long, 7 p.m. Friday The Beavers had their best defensive game all season, but lost in the final 10 seconds on a field goal.

Good play, bad luck:

Jacob Flanagan’s dream came true in this game. Well, it’s a dream for any defensive player. His opponents simply forgot to block him while he was rushing the quarterback. Easiest sack of his career. And he hit the QB so hard that he caused a fumble. The bad luck for the play here is that the ball bounced right back to the quarterback as he was on the ground, wondering how he got sacked so fast.

Got the turnover anyway:

So the turnover the Beavers were hoping to get on that sack happened the next play. Again, it started with pressure. Logan Knight almost got to the quarterback. He was in the process of making the tackle when the QB threw the ball. The pass was off a bit, and Jack Wear was there for the interception.

Safety squeeze:

Woodland took a 2-0 lead in the second quarter and it started with Jacob Flanagan once again getting a free run into the backfield. Bay was at its 1-yard line when the Eagles tried a run play. Flanagan simply got into the end zone, and while he did not make the tackle, the Bay running back had to slow and slip away from Flanagan. No problem for the Beavers. By then, Jack Ripp had made it into the backfield from the other side of the formation and caught the running back from behind and took him down before he could get out of the end zone.

Nice plays No. 4:

Anthony Clifford kept the lead for Woodland going into half when he intercepted a pass in the end zone. Later, he returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, giving Woodland a 15-6 lead.

Coach Speak:

Coach Mike Woodward’s thoughts on the loss to Hudson’s Bay: “Never been part of a game where we felt like we had it so much and then taken away at the last second.” MVP on offense: Wyatt Harsh went 22 for 33 for 299 yards and a TD. MVP on defense: Jack Ripp with 10 solo tackles, 2 assists, a tackle-for-loss, 2 sacks, one forced fumble, and one safety. Thoughts on Week 5 vs. R.A. Long: “We’re in ‘win-out mode’ now,’’ Woodward said. “Five games left, and let’s just say we’ll be ready.”