Camas rolls along, 56-0

CAMAS — Now, things figure to get interesting for the Camas Papermakers.

Not that their 10th win in 10 football games this fall — a 56-0 win over Rainier Beach of Seattle on Friday at Doc Harris Stadium — wasn’t worthy of celebration.

Zack Marshall scored four touchdowns, all in the first half, and junior quarterback Tony Gennaro threw for 157 yards and four touchdowns in his first start for injured veteran Logan Grindy.

“I have to give so much credit to my team,” Gennaro said. “They put so much confidence in me, and helped me be confident in myself.”

It helped that the Papermaker defense pushed around the Vikings from the get-go. Rainier Beach managed only two first downs, both in the second half, and the Camas offense had a short field for most of the night.

Winning in the Class 3A state preliminary round advances the Papermakers to the 16-team state tournament for the fifth time in school history and the first time since 2007.

Camas will play the winner of today’s game between Juanita of Kirkland and Shorecrest of Shoreline. If favored No. 4-ranked Juanita advances, it will come to third-ranked Camas for a 6 p.m. contest next Saturday.

“I don’t think focus will be a problem this week,” Camas coach Jon Eagle said. “We know we have to be at the top of our game to be competitive next week.”

Friday’s triumph over Rainier Beach was short on interesting moments, because the Papermakers played with consistent intensity from the start. They finished with an advantage of 371 yards of offense to 66.

“I think we were pretty focused and we played pretty well,” Camas lineman Odin Coe said. “But we have tougher opponents up the road to prepare for.

“It was really important to have a clean game under our belt going into next week.”

Friday’s performance was an important step for Gennaro. Though he played quarterback during the spring and summer camps, this was his first start under the lights because Grindy, a three-year starter, suffered a broken leg a week ago against Kelso.

“After the first play, it was, ‘All right here we go’,” Gennaro said. “All night, it felt like I was just playing football out there.”

Of his touchdown throws, his favorite was a lofted fade to Addison Owen in the right corner of the end zone.

“I knew he’d go out there and catch it no matter where I put it,” Gennaro said.

Friday’s win wasn’t a surprise. And it didn’t take long for the outcome to be determined.

Camas scored five second-quarter touchdowns, thanks to excellent field position created by two Jeremy Faulkner interceptions and a poor snap on a Rainier Beach punt.

“Intensity was the key,” Faulkner, who also caught a TD pass, said of Camas’ defensive dominance. “We played the run and stuffed that up first, then took advantage with the interceptions.”

Camas led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. But Marshall scored on an 18-yard swing pass on the first play of the second quarter to start the runaway.

CAMAS 56, RAINIER BEACH 0

Rainier Beach 0 0 0 0— 0

Camas 7 35 7 7—56

First quarter

Cam — Zack Marshall 1 run (Roldan Alcobendas kick)

Second quarter

Cam — Marshall 18 pass from Tony Gennaro (Alcobendas kick)

Cam — Marshall 12 run (Alcobendas kick)

Cam — Addison Owen 8 pass from Gennaro (Alcobendas kick)

Cam — Miguel Salamanca 24 pass from Gennaro (Alcobendas kick)

Cam — Marshall 1 run (Alcobendas kick)

Third quarter

Cam — Jeremy Faulkner 11 pass from Gennaro (Alcobendas kick)

Fourth quarter

Cam — Julian Samuels 1 run (Alcobendas kick)

Leaders

Rushing — Rainier Beach: De’Aris Lyles 8-19, Anthony Segi 2-4, Dante Hoskins 2-9, Marquis Davis 8-(minus 11), Darien Muongvang 6-(minus 21), Devonte Carson 1-10. Camas: Zak Marshall 16-70, Addison Owen 8-57, Julian Samuels 6-44, Kenny Marshall 2-16, Tony Gennaro 1-11, John Norcross 1-13, Brent Hill 1-3.

Passing — Rainier Beach: Muongvang 5-13-2-56. Camas: Tony Gennaro 10-15-0-157.

Receiving — Rainier Beach: Davis 3-5, Carson 1-7, Bruce Shields 1-44. Camas: Z. Marshall 2-28, Jeremy Faulkner 1-11, Miguel Salamanca 3-73, Kyle Ervin 1-11, Owen 3-34.