Camas makes a stand, beats Juanita 20-13

CAMAS — Clark County football is now Papermaker country.

The Camas Papermakers made school history in dramatic fashion Saturday night at Doc Harris Stadium with a defensive stand in the red zone to earn their program’s first victory in the state playoffs.

Kyle Goodnow slowed the play, then a host of Camas defenders swarmed Juanita’s Jeremiah Laufasa on a fourth-down play inside the 10-yard line with 21 seconds remaining, preserving a 20-13 victory for the Papermakers.

Camas (11-0), the lone team from Clark County remaining in the playoffs, will host Lakes of Lakewood next week in the Class 3A state quarterfinals.

“It’s amazing. It’s a great thing for this team to accomplish,” said senior lineman Odin Coe. “We’ve worked so hard to achieve a state championship, so it doesn’t stop here. It’s a great win. Celebrate for a little bit, then move on to the next game.”

The Camas defense was up to the challenge all night, refusing to allow the Rebels to score. Juanita of Kirkland scored on a defensive touchdown and on a return of a blocked field goal.

The only time the Rebels got close to scoring from an offensive drive was that final charge of the game.

But no way. Not against these Papermakers.

While the defense had its way all game, the Camas offense got enough done against Juanita’s defense.

Junior quarterback Tony Gennaro, in his second career start, threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Jeremy Faulkner with 7:09 left in the game.

The Rebels had just tied the game after Andre Casino blocked a Camas field goal and Cody Treddenbarger recovered the ball and returned it 70 yards for the score with 8:29 left.

The Papermakers went straight to attack mode. Gennaro found Brent Hill on a deep ball for 36 yards. On a third-and-11 play, Gennaro connected with Miguel Salamanca for 12 yards to extend the drive. Then a quick ball fake got the defense to bite, and Faulkner was all alone in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown.

Not bad for a new starter, filling in for injured all-league quarterback Logan Grindy.

“Logan’s been the leader here. I’m just glad I could step up and do the job,” Gennaro said.

That last throw of his looked too easy. Gennaro threw his arm in the air to celebrate before Faulkner caught the ball.

“He was just so wide open. I knew he would catch it,” Gennaro said.

“We pretty much set that play up the whole game,” Faulkner said. “We were just waiting for the right time. It couldn’t have been any better than that.”

Juanita, in desperation mode, got four first downs on its last drive, including one fourth-down conversion.

There was a stoppage of play with about four minutes to go, giving the Camas defenders a chance to remind themselves at what was at stake.

“This is four minutes for the rest of our lives,” linebacker Ikaika Gunderson said. “The crowd kept us in it. We fired off, got our reads, and took care of business.”

With a first-and-10 from the Camas 14, Gunderson stopped Laufasa for no gain. John Payne followed with a shoestring tackle of Jyran McNairy for a four-yard gain that would have gone for more without Payne’s play. On third down, Faulkner stayed home and held Derek Kaufman for a gain of one.

That set up fourth-and-5 from the 9-yard line.

“I could hear my heart beating,” linebacker Javon Ingram said.

“I live for that kind of situation. I love the pressure,” defensive lineman Odin Coe said.

Goodnow got there, followed by nine or 10 of his friends, holding Laufasa to a 2-yard gain — three yards short of a first down.

Party time in Camas.

“Just gotta believe,” Ingram said. “Read the keys, trust your teammates, trust the man next to you. Don’t give up and fight to the ball. I didn’t see one guy who was not there in that play.”

“That’s just Camas defense,” Gunderson said. “We rally to the ball. We’ve rallied to the ball all year.”

Camas coach Jon Eagle said it was all about the defense tonight. Juanita came into the game averaging more than 300 rushing yards per game. The Rebels got 152 in this game, led by Laufasa’s 126 yards on 30 carries.

“It was one of the best defensive performances I’ve ever seen,” Eagle said.

“It hasn’t sunk in at all. This is new territory for us,” Eagle added. “I’m just really proud of the kids. They beat a very, very, very good football team tonight.”

CAMAS 20, JUANITA 13

Juanita 6 0 0 7—13

Camas 6 7 0 7—20

First quarter

Cam — Addison Owen 7 run (kick failed)

J — Dom Chadwick recovers fumble in end zone (kick blocked)

Second quarter

Cam — Kyle Ervin 6 pass from Tony Gennaro (Roldan Alcobendas kick)

Fourth quarter

J — Cody Treddenbarger 70 blocked field goal return (Nick Horne kick)

Cam — Jeremy Faulkner 9 pass from Gennaro (Alcobendas kick)

Leaders

Rushing — Juanita: Jeremiah Laufasa 30-126. Camas: Owen 11-18, Zack Marshall 3-11.

Passing — Juanita: Derek Kaufman 3-3-0-30. Camas: Gennaro 15-28-1-207.

Receiving — Juanita: Laufasa 2-15, Jarrett Finau 1-15. Camas; Brent Hill 3-85, Owen 1-43, Faulkner 5-37, Miguel Salamanca 4-36, Ervin 2-6.