Wednesday,  January 22 , 2025

Linkedin Pinterest
Photo of Will Denner

Stories by Will Denner

Columbian staff writer

Union football players run on to the field at McKenzie Stadium prior to the start of a non-league football game against Mountan View on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

Union breaks through for first win of the season in 21-0 decision over Mountain Viewvideo icon

Union football players run on to the field at McKenzie Stadium prior to the start of a non-league football game against Mountan View on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

September 21, 2024, 12:12am Football

A pregame challenge from Union football coach Steve Pyne was answered by Titans players at a most opportune time. Union was well on its way to a 21-0 win over rival Mountain View on Friday at McKenzie Stadium when the Thunder marched down the field late in the third quarter,… Read story

Evergreen football players huddle around head coach Christian Swain, middle, following the Plainsmen's 49-0 win over North Thurston on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at McKenzie Stadium.

Evergreen blanks North Thurston 49-0 for second shutout win

Evergreen football players huddle around head coach Christian Swain, middle, following the Plainsmen's 49-0 win over North Thurston on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at McKenzie Stadium.

September 21, 2024, 12:07am Football

Evergreen held North Thurston under 100 yards of total offense in a dominant defensive showing Friday at McKenzie Stadium. Evergreen (2-1) took a 28-0 lead into halftime Friday courtesy of a James Bethune 2-yard touchdown run, touchdown passes thrown by quarterback Jayden Baum to receivers Thaddeus Pruitt and Darren Schmitt,… Read story

Evergreen seniors Makhi Miller, from left, Josiah Alanis and Mark Williams pose for a portrait Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at Evergreen High School.

Evergreen football’s investment in defensive culture is paying off for the Plainsmen

Evergreen seniors Makhi Miller, from left, Josiah Alanis and Mark Williams pose for a portrait Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at Evergreen High School.

September 19, 2024, 7:43am Latest News

Makhi Miller sensed a mindset shift within the Evergreen football team over the summer when players were in the midst of running a grueling McKenzie Mile. Read story

Camas senior Beau Harlan (12) leads players in a post-game chant following the Papermakers' 8-6 win over Clackamas (Ore.) on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Clackamas High School.

Camas football team finds groove in 48-6 win over Clackamasvideo icon

Camas senior Beau Harlan (12) leads players in a post-game chant following the Papermakers' 8-6 win over Clackamas (Ore.) on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Clackamas High School.

September 14, 2024, 12:08am Football

While Camas football players were wrapped up in celebrating a blowout road win on Friday night, Papermakers coach Adam Mathieson served as the voice of reason. Whether it’s accomplished by grinding out a game like last week’s 12-6 result over Class 3A Roosevelt, or a more decisive victory,… Read story

Ridgefield's Samantha Solis (13) and Skyview's Scottie Crooks (3) battle for possession of the ball during a non-leauge girls soccer game on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at Ridgefield High School.

Ridgefield, Skyview girls soccer earn hard-fought 2-2 drawvideo icon

Ridgefield's Samantha Solis (13) and Skyview's Scottie Crooks (3) battle for possession of the ball during a non-leauge girls soccer game on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at Ridgefield High School.

September 10, 2024, 11:32pm Prep Sports

A championship defense was put to the test. An offense that erupted for eight goals days earlier kept pushing. In the end, 80 minutes of a thrilling non-league girls soccer game between Ridgefield and Skyview on Tuesday weren’t enough to decide a winner. Ridgefield, the defending Class 2A… Read story

River Ridge's Darian Harper (1) tries to fend off Washougal's Ben Kellar (33) during a game at Fishback Stadium in Washougal on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.

Washougal’s defense stands tall in season-opening, 8-6 win against Mountain Viewvideo icon

River Ridge's Darian Harper (1) tries to fend off Washougal's Ben Kellar (33) during a game at Fishback Stadium in Washougal on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.

September 7, 2024, 12:05am Football

A year older and wiser, the Washougal football team felt quietly confident about their defense’s potential entering a new season. In the process of earning an 8-6 win over Class 3A Mountain View on Friday night at Fishback Stadium, the Panthers showed everyone else why. Washougal got the… Read story

Senior Preston Shearer goes through drills during a preseason practice at Columbia River High School on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

Preston Shearer is one of Columbia River football’s Ironmen

Senior Preston Shearer goes through drills during a preseason practice at Columbia River High School on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

September 5, 2024, 8:05am Football

No matter how big or small, there isn’t a moment Preston Shearer wants to miss on the football field. Read story

Ridgefield's Hunter Katschke (24) high fives teammates during pregame introductions Thursday, July, 25, 2024, before a game between the Raptors and the Corvallis Knights at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Ridgefield Raptors recount second-half turnaround that led to fourth straight playoff berth

Ridgefield's Hunter Katschke (24) high fives teammates during pregame introductions Thursday, July, 25, 2024, before a game between the Raptors and the Corvallis Knights at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

August 9, 2024, 5:34pm Clark County Sports

The Ridgefield Raptors’ playoff hopes looked bleak one month ago when they finished the first half of their West Coast League schedule with a 10-16 record. With a clean slate of sorts to begin the second half of the season, the Raptors flipped a switch and never looked back. Read story

Taylor Takata of the Ridgefield Raptors celebrates after scoring a run in the second inning of the Raptors' game against the Springfield Drifters at the Ridgefied Outdoor Recreation Center on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.

Raptors set sights on No. 2 playoff seed as regular-season down to 3 games

Taylor Takata of the Ridgefield Raptors celebrates after scoring a run in the second inning of the Raptors' game against the Springfield Drifters at the Ridgefied Outdoor Recreation Center on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.

August 5, 2024, 4:26pm Clark County Sports

The Raptors cling to a narrow lead in the second-half standings of the West Coast League’s South Division as they embark on a three-game series in Walla Walla to conclude the regular season. The series against the Sweets begins Tuesday. Read story

Ridgefield's Kyle Memarian, left, smiles after scoring a run Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Ridgefield Raptors keep pushing for 12-4 win over Springfield Drifters

Ridgefield's Kyle Memarian, left, smiles after scoring a run Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

August 2, 2024, 10:25pm Clark County Sports

After clinching a West Coast League playoff berth earlier this week, the Ridgefield Raptors weren’t content simply coasting into the postseason. Instead, they’ve kept their foot on the gas. The Raptors opened their final home series of the regular season with a 12-4 win over the Springfield Drifters… Read story