Hockinson takes hope away from Washougal, but not heart

Washougal would like to forget this 41-7 loss to Hockinson, but coaches told the players they should never forget.

Remember the touchdown drive they put together in the third quarter after they were down by 41 points. Jakob Davis caught a short pass from Ryan Stevens, broke a few tackles and took off for a 30-yard touchdown.

“We just had to keep fighting,” Davis said. “I knew that I just had to keep pushing. Try not to go down. Come back with fire and brute strength.”

Never forget all the fans that came to Fishback Stadium to watch the Panthers play football.

“It was fun to see the stadium packed with people,” said head coach Dave Hajek. “Even though the score wasn’t a great score for any of us, the support was awesome. It was just a fun atmosphere for the first time in a long time.”

“Thanks to all the students. Thanks to my family. Friends,” Stevens said. “Thanks to just all of Washougal.”

The Panthers lost their first game of the season Friday, but they’re still 5-1 and 2-1 in league. Washougal still has an opportunity to host a playoff game, if it can beat Woodland and R.A. Long on the road these next two weeks.

“We got to come into these games with all we got. Have this in the back of our mind, like coach was saying,” Davis said. “Remember this score. Remember this game. And remember we don’t ever want to feel this again.”