Union and Camas in key game today; La Center to play for league title; and cross country runners earn state bids
Week 9 in high school football has arrived, with Union hosting Camas as the biggest game in Clark County today.
Some cross country runners earned their way to state, and more will do so this weekend.
And a couple teams from Clark County are hoping to earn trophies at state slowpitch softball.
Here we go.
Football
A couple of Thursday games kicked off the final week of the regular season, and one brought a lot of drama to the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League.
Here’s a salute to the Hudson’s Bay Eagles. The team struggled all year on the scoreboard but found a way in Week 9 to stun Columbia River 21-14 at Kiggins Bowl. It was the first win of the year for the Eagles, and River’s loss gives Washougal an opportunity to claim the final playoff spot from the league.
Now, that won’t be easy. Washougal must win tonight against second-place Hockinson. But if Washougal does win, the Panthers will finish fourth and advance to Week 10.
Mountain View, meanwhile, completed an undefeated league season with a 38-7 win over Evergreen on Thursday. That game was highlighted by an official, though. Rick Gilbert is stepping away from officiating varsity football after 36 seasons.
On Friday night, the La Center Wildcats head to Castle Rock to determine the Trico League championship.
In Clark County, there is one BIG game. It’s Camas vs. Union at McKenzie Stadium. Oh, and it’s a 4:30 p.m. start.
We’ve been writing about the three-week stretch to end the 4A GSHL season for, well, for weeks now. Tonight, we’ll find out if the three-week stretch determined anything … or nothing.
If Camas wins, Camas is the league champion, and Skyview will be the other playoff team.
If Union wins, all three teams will tie for a league title and then all three teams will meet Monday for a tiebreaker of sorts. Remember, only two teams advance to the playoffs.
For a reminder, Union beat Camas, Skyview beat Union, and Camas beat Skyview in the abbreviated COVID season.
This year? Skyview beat Union, Camas beat Skyview, and … we shall find out this evening.
Cross country
The Fort Vancouver Trappers made school history Thursday, winning the Class 2A District 4 girls cross country team title. It is the first district title for the program. Dani Butrell finished fifth in the race, leading the Trappers to the team victory. Washougal was second. Both teams advanced to state.
Daniel Barna of Columbia River won the 2A boys district title, finishing the 5K course at Lewis River Golf Course in Woodland in 15 minutes, 50 seconds on Thursday. Samuel Grice of Washougal finished second.
Tumwater won the team title, while Ridgefield and Washougal rounded out the top three. The Spudders and Panthers are going to state as teams.
La Center’s Joseph Blanshan won his third consecutive district crown in the 1A boys race. Seton Catholic won the team title. Seton Catholic and La Center are going to state as teams.
Class 4A and 3A programs, as well as the 1A girls, have races Saturday in hopes of qualifying for state.
Slowpitch softball
As noted earlier in the week, Union and Battle Ground are in the Class 4A state slowpitch softball tournament beginning today in Yakima. Union takes on Moses Lake at noon Friday in the first round. Battle Ground is facing Chiawana at Noon.
In case you missed it, our profile on the teams: https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/slowpitch-softball-union-battle-ground-prepare-for-state-tournament/
