Bowling over Skyview

Brent Hill, Addison Owen and the rest of the Camas High School football players wanted to make a statement Friday night.

When two of the best teams from different leagues played for Clark County bragging rights at Doc Harris Stadium, it was the Papermakers who rolled along to a 28-12 victory over Skyview.

Hill breezed past the defenders downfield, made an over-the-shoulder catch, and took the football into the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Logan Grindy.

“There was nothing I could complain about on that one,” Hill said. “The ball was thrown perfectly, all I had to do was run it down.”

Kyle Ervin had a huge gain on the play before the touchdown, thanks to a thunderous block delivered by Jeremy Faulkner.

“I don’t think any one on this team cares about their stats, just the score at the end of the game,” Faulkner said. “This is the biggest win of the year so far, but it’s not the biggest win we’re going to have.”

Hill also intercepted a Skyview pass in the end zone to help preserve a 21-3 lead for Camas at halftime.

“I’m happy I could step up and do good, but there were some opportunities that I missed out on,” he said. “The team stepped up in the fourth quarter, but we need to learn how to keep the foot on their throat.”

Rotating between running back, defensive back and kick returner, Owen found himself back out on the wing Friday. He hooked up with Grindy for an 8-yard touchdown pass to open the second quarter.

“I’ll make it happen wherever I am on the field. It’s just a privilege to be out there,” Owen said. “For Logan and I, it was just like old times on that play.”

Grindy completed four of his five passes in the second quarter, for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Ikaika Gunderson caught the other TD pass.

“Logan was throwing in good rhythm,” said Camas head coach Jon Eagle. “When he does that, he’s pretty tough to stop.”

Skyview forced Grindy out of rhythm in the third quarter, and capitalized on his mistakes and turnovers. The Storm scored their first touchdown, and before the Papermakers knew it, they were pinned deep on fourth down with nowhere to go. Instead of punting and leaving Skyview in close range for another shot at the end zone, they elected to step out of bounds and award the Storm a safety.

“It was a situation where you would rather give them two points than seven,” Eagle said.

It was a gutsy call. One more touchdown, and Skyview could have been within two points.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Owen came through again. The senior intercepted a pass in the open field, and followed his blockers down the sidelines. Owen went around the last few defenders, and took it all the way back for a 63-yard touchdown.

“I’m never going to forget that pick for six,” Owen said. “I made my read, got the ball and just took off. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. They gave me some good blocks, and I just went for it.”

With a commanding 16-point lead, Camas finished strong.

“Skyview is well-coached, and they have some quality players,” Eagle said. “We beat a really good football team. Our defense did a really good job, and we made the plays when we had to make them.”

The Papermakers opened the new Doc Harris Stadium in style with two victories.

“We love playing at home,” Faulkner said. “Nobody has a stadium, band or the fans that we do. I’ve never seen anything like it, and it makes it that much more fun to play.”

Camas looks to keep rolling on the road Friday against Prairie. Kick off is at 7 p.m., at District Stadium in Battle Ground.