Plus playoff information for Camas, Skyview, and Union
In all, there are 11 teams from Clark County that have made it to Week 10 playoff games, including three from the 4A Greater St. Helens League.
This week, I will be highlighting the teams that did not make the playoffs with their best moments of the year.
Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got the basic playoff information here, as well. Still, let’s also give a salute to every football team as another regular season has come to a conclusion.
Today, the 4A GSHL:
BATTLE GROUND TIGERS (2-7, 1-3 4A GSHL)
This is a program in a building phase. Only five seniors in starting roles. Only nine seniors who got significant playing time. That would be tough for any team, but even more difficult playing in a small league which features three teams that have been among the top-10 teams in state at various times this season.
Best moment: This is simple. Steven Hancock rushed for 347 yards and six touchdowns in the Tigers’ win over Heritage. Or was it 357 yards? It was a bunch. (We had some fun trying to figure that out, earlier this season.)
Not bad, considering Hancock was not expected to be the team’s running back this season.
Pressed into action, he delivered, rushing for more than 1,100 yards this season.
The week following that huge performance, we noted all the blocking in front of him in this report.
HERITAGE TIMBERWOLVES (2-7, 0-4 4A GSHL)
The Timberwolves matched 2018, record-wise.
Playing the same schedule in 2019, the Timberwolves started 2-0, just like in 2018, but then lost the last seven, just like 2018.
That does not tell the story, though.
The Timberwolves closed the scoring gap by three points, on average. And while that might not seem like a lot, the players could feel a difference. Coach Dennis Moody said that a player gave him a hug after one of the team’s losses and thanked him. The player appreciated the new approach at Heritage. It did not turn into more wins, but the players, it appears, had a more enjoyable experience.
Best moment: Too easy to go with one of the wins here, but nope. I’m going with what turned into the worst loss, on the scoreboard at least. Camas put up 65 points on Heritage in Week 5.
Still, when it was 13-0 Camas, the Timberwolves broke free for a long touchdown.
In one perfect play against one of the best teams in the state, when the game was still in a competitive phase, the Timberwolves got a 58-yard touchdown run from Anthony Kee.
Offensive linemen Eddie Gonzalez and Zephen Zabik got a double-team block. Cade Gardner also secured his man, then went looking to block another on the second level. Left tackle Mauricio Navarro pulled and made his block. Tight end Andrew Gray, who went in motion to the left side, also pulled and made his block.
Oh wait, one more key block that most would not notice. Wide receiver Tyus Sellers blocked the Camas defensive back nine yards beyond the line of scrimmage. The block lasted a nanosecond, but that was the defensive back who almost chased down Key. The initial blocks by the linemen and tight end created a big gain. The block by the receiver made sure the big gain would be a touchdown.
…
Ok, now to the playoff matchups. Oh, and for more notes, including for all 4A teams playing Week 10 playoffs throughout the state, go to Cascadia Preps. Ryland Spencer gives a shout-out to Camas’ KC Fresh, and takes a fun shot at former Hockinson great Canon Racanelli. https://247sports.com/high-school/washington/Article/2019-4A-Week-Ten-Game-Schedule-Notes-138031861/
CAMAS (9-0, 4-0 4A GSHL)
Opponent: Olympia (4-5)
Time/Day/Place: 7 p.m. Friday at Doc Harris Stadium.
Notes: The 4A GSHL’s top seed has not lost a Week 10 state preliminary round playoff game since 2007. The Papermakers were a No. 2 seed last year when they lost in Week 10. Even if this year’s Week 10 opponent is not the same, this still has to count among Camas’ Revenge Tour. If the Papermakers win this game, they will have defeated four teams that beat them last year and exorcised the Week 10 demon from last year.
SKYVIEW (7-2, 3-1 GSHL)
Opponent: Federal Way (7-2)
Time/Day/Place: 7 p.m. Friday at Kiggins Bowl
Notes: The Storm do not fear Week 10. A year ago, they won as the No. 3 seed from the 4A GSHL. This year, a home game as the No. 2 seed. Skyview has won its past five Week 10 appearances, never as a league champion, but always as one of the top programs in the state.
UNION (5-4, 2-2 GSHL)
Opponent: Mount Rainier (7-1)
Time/Day/Place: 1 p.m. Saturday at Highline Memorial StadiumNotes: Three of the past four defending Class 4A state champions have not made it to state the following season. Union would love to stop that trend. The previous six state champions had reached the sweet 16. Union will be without starting quarterback C.J. Jordan. His season is over due to a knee injury sustained in Week 8.
