On the Sidelines: A date with Doc Harris

Camas Papermakers, young and old, will never forget September 17, 2010, the day Doc Harris Stadium reopened for business.

More than 4,000 football fanatics huddled undercover to see what the doctor ordered, a 42-6 victory for the Camas High School football team over long time rival Columbia River.

“We had a great crowd. It was awesome to see the stands filled,” said CHS Athletic Director Terry Cavender. “We hope the fans enjoyed the facility and the experience. It was a great first event, and it’s only going to get better.”

Unrelenting rainfall had the athletes surfing for footballs and coaches swimming on the sidelines, and yet the fans just kept coming. Benches filled up before halftime and the aisles started getting crowded, but more tickets were sold to guests in the second half.

“Everybody complains about Doc Harris in the rain because you get wet,” said Camas head coach Jon Eagle. “I look up in the stands tonight, and I see everyone’s dry. We’re the ones getting soaked.”

You didn’t hear any Papermakers complaining about the rain. They couldn’t have asked for better weather to usher in a new era of Camas football.

Fans who did not stay dry still had plenty of reasons to cheer. Especially the one who purchased a $1 raffle ticket, and went home $702.50 richer.

The kick heard round Camas

Dazed by raindrops and cheering fans, Camas kicker Roldan Alcobendes raised his hand and took a deep breath.

“I blocked out all the noise and focused on what I had to do, which was kick the ball,” he said.

In one thunderous motion, Alcobendes blasted the ball into the air and the first football game at the new Doc Harris Stadium had officially begun.

“It’s a beautiful place to play,” Alcobendes said. “I’ll remember all the excitement and energy everyone fed off of.”

The opening kick off did not go as far as Alcobendes hoped. On his second try after Camas scored its first of six touchdowns on the night, Alcobendes nailed the ball into the end zone for a touchback. He could live with that.

Doc Harris week

On Monday and Tuesday, the Camas girls soccer teams get the opportunity to play at Doc Harris Stadium for the first time. C-Team plays Woodburn, Ore. Monday, at 5:30 p.m. Junior varsity plays Hudson’s Bay Tuesday, at 5 p.m. Varsity plays Hudson’s Bay Tuesday, at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, the Papermaker soccer teams host defending state champion Columbia River. Junior varsity plays at 5 p.m., followed by varsity at 7 p.m.

Next Friday, it’s another Camas football home game against Skyview. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Read more about the grand opening of Doc Harris Stadium in Tuesday’s Post-Record.

See you on the sidelines.