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Papermakers (13-0) rally to attain 21 unanswered after trailing by 13 twice
Printed: November 30, 2024, 6:37pm
Camas gamers rejoice a landing Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in the course of the Papermakers’ 28-20 win in opposition to Gonzaga Prep in a semifinal playoff sport at McKenzie Stadium. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
Like so many occasions this season after a Camas soccer victory — 13 now, to be precise — the Papermakers can’t wait to listen to the identical three phrases from their first-year head coach to kick off the postgame speech.
“It’s now become a thing,” Adam Mathieson mentioned.
Saturday, behind the gamers’ chants in unison for Mathieson, the coach walked as much as his group after its 28-20 come-from-behind semifinal win over Gonzaga Prep, leaned in and proudly shouted, “Winning isn’t easy!”
Celebratory cheers erupted.
Profitable will not be straightforward, nevertheless it positive is enjoyable. For the Papermakers (13-0), it’s not simply the semifinal victory that makes them proud to be taking part in in this system’s fourth state championship sport, nevertheless it’s how they did it that makes the win probably the most rewarding by way of their 13 undefeated weeks.
“I’ve been dreaming about this,” defensive finish Zuko Lopez mentioned. “… it doesn’t feel real.”
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4A Soccer Semifinals: Gonzaga Prep at Camas
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However actual, it’s. Camas will face Sumner (12-1) for the Class 4A state title at 7 p.m. subsequent Saturday at Husky Stadium. The Spartans topped Chiawana in triple additional time of their semifinal Saturday in Pierce County.
The 2 earlier Camas state title victories in 2016 and 2019 additionally got here on undefeated seasons. Early-round playoff exits the previous two seasons had been on gamers’ minds all 12 months, mentioned senior operating again Titan Brody.
“We talked about how we were going to be back,” mentioned Brody, who had 15 carries for 102 yards and a 20-yard landing reception, “and guess what? We’re back and better than ever.”
Saturday’s celebratory ending at McKenzie Stadium was far totally different from how issues started. Gonzaga Prep (12-1) raced out to 2 13-point leads powered by its triple-option offense that racked up 130 passing yards by halftime. When Noah Holman scored his second dashing landing with 8:47 left within the third, that pinned Camas again 13 factors once more at 20-7.
Quickly, that was within the rear-view mirror. The Papermakers performed like a state championship-caliber squad within the second half. Previous to their last possession that led to quarterback Jake Davidson’s victory formation, Camas scored touchdowns on its three earlier drives. That, Mathieson mentioned, is when Camas started controlling the road of scrimmage.
First, it started on the bottom. Camas ran the ball 11 consecutive occasions — 9 rushes by Brody — earlier than Chase McGee’s 22-yard landing reception for the possession’s solely move try to chop the deficit to 1 rating. The senior had the group’s first 5 receptions of the sport, and completed with a game-high seven catches for 170 yards.
Then, Camas wanted simply six performs to attain 14 factors to take the lead for good. In reality, the possessions had been near-identical photos of each other that led to touchdowns by Anthony Forner (51 yards) and McGee (68): Two quick run performs, adopted by one explosive landing reception.
In all, Camas scored 21 straight factors off 15 performs and coated 210 yards. The protection adopted up by stopping Gonzaga Prep on fourth-and-19 when Forner’s move breakup supposed for 6-foot-4 wideout Isaiah Docken with 1:40 to go. The three prior Bullpup drives resulted in punts.
Mathieson counseled the group’s defensive efforts, and the offensive line’s play within the second half that resulted in 22 second-half rushes. Every week in the past in its state quarterfinal win over Arlington, the offensive line paved the best way for a season-best 223 dashing yards.
“Now, we’re showing we can run the rock and pass the rock,” Brody mentioned. “That gives a lot of trust in our O-line. We can lean on them a lot more.”
Clark County may have two groups at Husky Stadium taking part in for state championships. Saturday’s McKenzie Stadium nightcap ended with the Class 1A Seton Catholic topping Montesano, 35-14, of their 1A semifinal. It marks the primary time since 2018 when Hockinson and Union received state titles on the identical day that the area may have two groups at Gridiron Basic.
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CLASS 4A STATE SEMIFINAL
At McKenzie Stadium
CAMAS 28, GONZAGA PREP 20
Gon. Prep 6 7 7 0 – 20
Highlights from the 2024 Class 4A state soccer semifinals between Camas and Gonzaga Prep on Nov. 30 at McKenzie Stadium. The Papermakers scored 21 unanswered factors within the fourth quarter to win 28-20.
Video
Camas 0 7 7 14 – 28
First quarter
GP – Noah Holman 3 run (kick failed)
Second quarter
GP – Jimmy Grainger 55 move from Sam Kincaid (kick good)
C – Titan Brody 20 move from Jake Davidson (kick good)
Third quarter
GP – Holman 5 run (kick good)
C – Chase McGee 22 move from Davidson (kick good)
Fourth quarter
C – Anthyony Forner 51 move from Davidson (kick good)
C – McGee 68 move from Davidson (kick good)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Gonzaga Prep: Noah Holman 18-38, Sam Kincaid 12-42, Jonah Keller 4-26, Group 1-(minus-6); Camas: Titan Brody 15-102, Jake Davidson 11-51, Thor Brody 1-(minus-2).
PASSING — Gonzaga Prep: Sam Kincaid 9-15-0-184; Camas: Jake Davidson 12-22-1-278, Zuko Lopez 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING — Gonzaga Prep: Isaiah Docken 5-43, Jonah Keller 3-86, Jimmy Grainger 1-55; Camas: Chase McGee 7-170, Anthony Forner 2-61, Nikko Speer 2-18, Titan Brody 3-29.