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Photo of Will Denner

Stories by Will Denner

Columbian staff reporter

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

Ridgefield coach Chris Cota, third from left, meets with the infield Thursday, July, 25, 2024, during a game between the Raptors and the Corvallis Knights at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Ridgefield Raptors look to regroup following series sweep against Corvallis Knights

Ridgefield coach Chris Cota, third from left, meets with the infield Thursday, July, 25, 2024, during a game between the Raptors and the Corvallis Knights at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

July 25, 2024, 10:39pm Clark County Sports

Post-game meetings on the field are typically kept short by Ridgefield head coach Chris Cota. But after the Raptors were swept by the Corvallis Knights for the second time this season in a 12-3 loss Thursday at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, coaches spent a few extra moments talking… Read story

Ridgefield's Dasan Harris, right, steals third base from Yakima Valley's Julian Angulo on Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Corvallis Knights earn 7-5 win to snap Ridgefield Raptors’ 13-game win streak

Ridgefield's Dasan Harris, right, steals third base from Yakima Valley's Julian Angulo on Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

July 23, 2024, 10:35pm Clark County Sports

Going 19 days without losing a baseball game had the Ridgefield Raptors on cloud nine. Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise the Corvallis Knights, the seven-time defending West Coast League champions, brought the Raptors back down to earth. Corvallis led wire-to-wire in Tuesday’s 7-5 win at Ridgefield… Read story

Ridgefield's Taylor Takata, left, and Kyle Memarian run the bases June 11, 2024,during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Ridgefield Raptors tie franchise record with 11th straight win, 10-5, over Victoria HarbourCats

Ridgefield's Taylor Takata, left, and Kyle Memarian run the bases June 11, 2024,during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

July 19, 2024, 11:00pm Clark County Sports

A constant shuffling of pitchers and catchers on summer collegiate baseball teams often leaves little time to develop trust and chemistry between battery mates. Yet for Ridgefield Raptors starting pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno and catcher Richard Tejeda, two players who hadn’t appeared in the same lineup this season before… Read story

Ridgefield's Justin Stransky, right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run Thursday, July 18, 2024, during the Raptors’ 5-2 win against the Portland Pickles at Walker Stadium in Portland.

Home-run blasts lead Ridgefield Raptors past Portland Pickles for 10th straight WCL win

Ridgefield's Justin Stransky, right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run Thursday, July 18, 2024, during the Raptors’ 5-2 win against the Portland Pickles at Walker Stadium in Portland.

July 18, 2024, 11:45pm Clark County Sports

A crack heard from Hunter Katschke’s bat left little doubt his baseball was gone. Read story

Ridgefield's Luke Iverson, right, makes a catch in right field Thursday, July 27, 2024, during a game between the Raptors and the Bend Elks at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Raptors Notebook: Luke Iverson’s simple approach leads to WCL All-Star nod

Ridgefield's Luke Iverson, right, makes a catch in right field Thursday, July 27, 2024, during a game between the Raptors and the Bend Elks at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

July 15, 2024, 7:05pm Clark County Sports

The key to Luke Iverson’s success this summer is keeping things simple. Read story