Camas shakes free of Bears to reach state

CAMAS — Facing a shorthanded but determined opponent with a hot quarterback, the Camas football team was in a tough fight for a while in its postseason opener.

But a defensive stand right before halftime and four quick touchdowns in the third quarter allowed the Papermakers to shake free from the Tahoma Bears and win 47-18 on Friday at Doc Harris Stadium. The win advances Camas to the Class 4A state playoffs, which will begin with a home game next week.

The Papermakers (10-0) will face either Kentwood or Bellarmine Prep, who play today.

Tahoma (6-4) of Covington had 14 players suspended, including seven starters. The Bears had only one running back available. But they had Amandre Williams, who threw for 476 yards and was a force on the defensive line as Tahoma kept the pressure on for the whole first half.

“He’s a great player. He made some great throws and the receivers made some great catches,” Camas defensive back and wide receiver James Price said.

The key sequence came just before halftime, after a 40-yard touchdown by Cole Zarcone on run on third-and-10 built Camas’ lead to 20-6. A 54-yard pass catch and run by Tyson Cronin moved the Bears to the Camas 1. But, despite a roughing the passer penalty on third down that extended the opportunity, the Papermaker defense kept the Bears from scoring. A third-down sack keyed the stand.

“We were tired but just dug deep and knew we could stop them,” Zarcone said of the defining defensive stand. “We just kept playing football and doing our thing. It was great to go into halftime with the momentum on our side for sure.”

At halftime, the Camas offensive line addressed the challenges presented by Williams, a junior who is considered a Division I college prospect on defense, and the Bears defensive front. Camas quarterback Liam Fitzgerald was sacked three times in the first half for 32 yards of lost ground.

“They did some things that we didn’t fully expect,” Alex Walker said. “But in the second half we made those adjustments. (Offensive line coach Justin) Wochnick said just do your thing. Be confident in your reads. The O-line executed better in the second half.”

The result was four third-quarter touchdowns on drives of 84, 69, 61 and 42 yards.

Fitzgerald had 68 passing yards at halftime, but finished with 237. Price had eight catches for 139 yards, He made four catches of more than 20 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown on a fourth-down play. Fitzgerald capped a drive with a 14-yard run for a score on a fourth-and-1 play.

Zarcone finished with 108 rushing yards on 13 carries and Bryan Kelly added 90 yards and two short touchdowns. His big play was a 52-yard run in the third quarter.

Big plays such as that helped give the Papermakers welcome breathing room.

“All credit to (the Bears),” Walker said. “They played a great last game against us and they earned our respect for sure. They came out here and they gave everything they had. I think in the first half we came in a little cocky. We have a ton to improve on this next week.”

CAMAS 47, TAHOMA 18

Tahoma 0 6 0 12–18

Camas 13 7 27 0–47

First quarter

Cam — Cole Zarcone 15 run (Caleb Lightbourn kick)

Cam — Jared Bentley 15 pass from Liam Fitzgerald (run failed)

Second quarter

Tah — Jerome Woods 4 run (kick blocked)

Cam — Zarcone 40 run (Lightbourn kick)

Third quarter

Cam — Fitzgerald 14 run (Kightbourn kick)

Cam — Bryan Kelly 1 run (kick failed)

Cam — James Price 35 pass from Fitzgerald (Lightbourn kick)

Cam — Kelly 4 run (Lightbourn kick)

Fourth quarter

Tah — Cole Peckham 26 pass from Amandre Williams (run failed)

Tah — Austin Brown 4 pass from Williams (pass failed)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Tahoma: Woods 16-31. Camas: Zarcone 13-108, Bryan Kelly 12-90, Jordan Del Moral 3-47, Fitzgerald 4-(minus 18), Jake Peebles 1-4, Team 1-(minus 2).

PASSING — Tahoma: Williams 35-60-0-476. Camas: Fitzgerald 16-23-0-239, Jake Peebles 2-2-0-(minus 2).

RECEIVING — Tahoma: Austin Brown 9-101, Peckham 8-81, Tyson Cronin 7-195, Jake Melton 5-63, Woods 4-22, Damien Maricich 2-23. Camas: Price 8-139, Bentley 6-50, Blake Roy 2-48, Colin Moon-Field 1-0, Del Moral 1-(minus 2).