Here’s a rundown of Clark County football teams to reach the state semifinals since 2001.
2001 — Mountain View (4A)
2002 — Mountain View (4A), Columbia River (3A)
2003 — Evergreen (4A), La Center (1A)
2004 — Evergreen (4A)
2005 — none
2006 — none
2007 — none
2008 — Union (3A)
2009 — Skyview (4A), Union (3A)
2010 — none
2011 — Skyview (4A), Camas (3A)
2012 — Camas (4A)
2013 — Camas (4A)
2014 — none
2015 — none
But this season has been groundbreaking. Three Clark County football teams are still playing on Thanksgiving weekend — Camas and Skyview in Class 4A and La Center in 1A.
In fact, I believe it’s a first for two teams from the same Greater St. Helens League to reach the semifinals.
And there’s another new wrinkle this season. In past seasons, a trip to the state semifinals meant playing games at the Tacoma Dome for most teams from the west side of the state.
But to save on rising rental costs at the Dome, the WIAA opted this season to hold semifinal games at various locations around the state. And with Clark County teams in the mix, Camas and La Center will play their semifinal games at McKenzie Stadium on Saturday.
Camas kicks off the doubleheader with a 1 p.m. game against Sumner in the 4A semifinal. La Center will follow with its 1A semifinal against Connell at 4 p.m.
Now I know some players and fans are disappointed about not getting to play in the Dome this weekend. But from a travel standpoint on a holiday week, not having to go to Tacoma has to be enticing to many local fans.
I know it makes life easier for us here at The Columbian to cover these games. In fact, Camas’ 1 p.m. kickoff may make it possible for me to get to cover a state semifinal football game for the first time in my tenure at The Columbian. Normally, my duties require me to be in the office on such weekends. But this season, with this schedule, I can do both. So I’m excited about that.
Not everyone escaped the prospects of travel this weekend. Skyview will have to make the trek back to the Tri-Cities, where the Storm beat Chiawana about a week ago. Skyview will face Richland in the other 4A semifinal at 3 p.m. Saturday at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick.
But for the rest us, the idea of packing McKenzie Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a great day of football sounds pretty good.
I hope to see you there.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep coordinator for The Columbian. He can be reached at (360) 735-4538, tim.martinez@columbian.com or follow his Twitter handle @360TMart.
