As the Camas and Richland football teams go through their final preparations before Saturday night’s Class 4A state championship game, this is as good of a time as any to ask an expert about facing them.
Skyview coach Steve Kizer, whose team tangled with both teams this season, preferred not to give a prediction for the championship game.
He did, however, give a hint — or perhaps a sledgehammer to the head — as to which team he believes is better.
“I’d rather play Richland again,” Kizer said.
He did not mean that as a knock on the Bombers. He just said Skyview had a really bad day against the Bombers, a lot of self-inflicted stuff. Camas, though, is a team with few, if any, flaws.
“The guy behind the center is pretty good,” Kizer said, referring to Camas quarterback Jack Colletto. “He might be the best quarterback/runner combo in the state. Their line is great. Solid defense. A great team. They just have stuff figured out.”
Of course through 13 weeks, the Bombers are perfect, too.
“They’re huge and they’re well-coached, too,” Kizer said. “They react to stuff so fast. They don’t have a real standout guy, other than that 74 (Brigham Whitby). He’s freakin’ good. … Their strength is on the line.”
The Papermakers trailed Skyview at halftime of their 4A Greater St. Helens League game in Week 6, then cruised in the second half for a 31-9 victory.
Richland, on the other hand, never trailed in a 35-7 victory over Skyview in the semifinals.
From Camas’ perspective, perhaps the Storm had a lot of miscues because of the Bombers.
“Richland causes mistakes,” Camas coach Jon Eagle said. “They get a lot of turnovers because of their style of play.”
The Bombers intercepted their 30th pass last week. That’s an average of more than two interceptions per game. Colletto has thrown five interceptions in 13 games.
“They are athletic at every position,” Eagle said of the Bombers. “They don’t get out of position, which tells me they are very well coached. They don’t overwhelm you with their size. But their athleticism jumps off the screen to me.”
If scores of those games against common opponents are any indication, the championship game should be close.
• Camas 31-9 over Skyview. Richland 35-7 over Skyview.
• Camas 37-12 over Sunnyside. Richland 41-0 over Sunnyside.
• Camas 28-14 over Skyline. Richland 38-27 over Skyline.
“Richland is a good, physical team,” Camas offensive lineman Marcus Gray said. “Just like us in a way. I’m excited to go after these guys. It’s going to be a good game.”
