In defense of Doc Harris

o Friday, 7 p.m, at Doc Harris Stadium.

Friday’s rematch between the Camas and Timberline high school football teams will not be played in the home of the Seattle Seahawks, but don’t expect the energy to be subdued.

In fact, the Papermakers are more amped up because they are going to play the first game of the 2011 season in front of their classmates, family members and friends at Doc Harris Stadium.

“The opportunity to open the season at Qwest Field last year was something we will never forget,” said senior wide receiver Jonathan Warner. “But I think Doc Harris Stadium is equivalent to that. That’s our Qwest Field.”

“It was cool to be able to run out of the same tunnel as the Seahawks, but having Doc Harris Stadium filled with more than 3,000 of our fans is even bigger,” added senior linebacker Scott Feather. “The whole town comes to watch the football games. That’s just how it is in Camas. There really is no place like home.”

The Papermakers defeated the Thunderbirds 29-15 on Sept. 4, 2010, during the Emerald City Classic. On the game’s first drive, Camas stopped Timberline on fourth and goal. Making their first impressions on varsity, John Payne snagged an interception and Zack Marshall scored three touchdowns.

“Oh, I can’t wait to get out there and play some smash mouth football. It takes me back to last year against Timberline, when we put all those points on the board. “This year, it’s not at Qwest. It’s at Doc Harris. It’s going to be a huge advantage for us because our home crowd is crazy.”

Although the second showdown between these two state rivals is not being played inside a professional stadium, Camas head coach Jon Eagle said the game has not lost it’s importance.

“Timberline, they’re tough. They have 13 starters coming back, and they are fired up to come down here,” he said. “There’s been a lot of talk about big games in the state, but not much has been said about this one. This is a very big game, with two of the top 3A schools in the state playing in our hometown. I don’t know how much more I can sugarcoat it.”

The Papermakers plateaued last season after winning their first state football game in school history. That team is no more, after 31 players graduated from the program.

“So much has been said about last year’s senior class, and these kids are tired of hearing about it and talking about it,” Eagle said. “They have been patiently waiting in the wings for this opportunity, and now it’s their season. The theme is to make a name for ourselves, and to show a new brand of Camas attitude.”