CAMAS — This has to be the year of the Papermaker.
That is not a fan’s prediction. It is not a media poll. It is the mindset of the players themselves.
This has to be the year.
“We’ll win a state playoff game, for sure,” senior receiver/running back Addison Owen claims.
It would be a first. Camas, for as strong as the program has been over the past decade, has never won a state football playoff game.
This year’s seniors, led by Owen, lineman Odin Coe, and quarterback Logan Grindy, will not accept another loss in the state qualifying playoffs, which has happened to the Papermakers the past two years. They don’t want to think about losing in the first round at state — the school is 0-4 in those contests.
“That’s not an option,” Owen said. “I can’t see it ending like that. There’s no way.”
Optimism reigns at Camas because of the talent returning from a squad that might have been one of the top five teams in all of Class 3A football last year. Just so happened, the 2009 Papermakers lost close contests in their final two games against teams that reached at least the state’s final four.
“We got a look at what kind of team makes it to the Dome,” said third-year starting quarterback Grindy, referring to Union and Liberty playing in the Tacoma Dome — Washington’s premier destination for high school football. “It opened our eyes a little bit.”
Now, the Papermakers believe they have what it takes to be one of those teams.
“I didn’t even take a break (after last season),” said Coe, a 6-foot-3 defensive and offensive lineman who is getting looks from several Division I college programs. “I went straight to the weight room. Everyone is stronger, faster.”
The trio believes all that work — and those tough losses — has led to something special this year.
Their coach does not mind the enthusiasm.
“We want to play in a place with high expectations from our fans, our players, our school,” Jon Eagle said. “What’s the alternative? Low expectations?”
The team has several leaders, several players who have made big plays in their careers. It is safe to say they all pretty much share the philosophy of their big lineman, their X-factor, and their quarterback.
Coe is tall, so he stands out. He stands out even more with his 1980s-lineman look, with his long hair flowing out from underneath his helmet.
“I gotta rock it,” he said of his style. “It’s something that needs to be done.”
He is quick to laugh and quicker at making others laugh — the jovial big man.
“You need positive encouragement,” Coe said. “There are guys who are great leaders who can be the stern guys. I like to build up players. It’s all about having fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re not going to be doing your best.”
His height, his talent, and his intelligence have earned him plenty of attention from colleges. Sporting a 3.55 grade-point average while taking advanced-placement courses, Coe has heard from Ivy League schools as well as some of the more prominent football programs.
But he prefers to not get into that right now.
“In the fall, it’s all about Camas,” he said. “Where I’m supposed to go, I’m supposed to go. Not really worried about that right now. I just want to have a good season with my teammates.”
Owen, a 6-1, 200-pound mega-athlete, had unofficial visits to three Pacific-10 Conference teams just to see what those athletes experience. He would love to one day join them, but like Coe, he is not thinking about his future plans right now.
It’s all about Camas.
“It’s been an amazing couple of years. Our freshmen year — we (the freshman team) went undefeated. Sophomore year, we got some varsity playing time. … We all had great junior years,” Owen said. “This is our senior year. This is what we’ve looked forward to since middle school.”
Owen is making some adjustments for his senior season. A wide receiver in the past, he will be used as a running back and a receiver this season.
“It’s our job to get him the ball,” Eagle said.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but I love having the ball in my hands,” said Owen, who sports dreadlocks that are not contained by his helmet. “Sometimes I feel selfish, but I have to get past that and know it’s for my team.”
Plus, if he does his job well enough, defenses will start to key on him, which will open up opportunities for his teammates.
It is Grindy’s assignment to get that ball to the open receivers, something he says he is better at than any previous season.
“I’m sure there are higher expectations for a three-year starter, but I definitely feel more comfortable because I have that experience and I’ve been there,” he said.
Like his colleagues, Grindy wants to play college football. He is getting his looks, but he understands there are fewer offers for quarterbacks. It’s a numbers game. A thumb injury in spring ball limited his summer camp schedule, which did not help his cause. Grindy, who is healthy, said he needs to let this season unfold and go from there.
“I’m pretty excited for this season. It should be the best one of all,” Grindy said. “Now it’s time to go out and prove ourselves.”
