2A GSHL football: R.A. Long 41, Washougal 8

After the start of Friday night’s R.A. Long-Washougal game, it’s safe to say the Panthers won’t forget the value of special teams play.

R.A. Long’s Lamar Swagerty returned the opening kick off 78 yards for a touchdown giving the Jacks a 7-0 lead.

Then on the very next touch for the Jacks, Payton Miller returned a punt 78 yards to put their momentum in overdrive.

The Panthers were withough reigning Columbian prep Player of The Week Brandon Casteel, who was the key figure in their win over Ridgefield last week.

With the win, R.A. Long moves to 2-0 in league and 3-1 overall.

R.A. LONG 41, WASHOUGAL 8

Washougal 0 0 0 8— 8

R.A. Long 20 21 0 0—41

First quarter

R — Lamar Swagerty 78 kick return (Raul Balbuena kick)

R — Payton Miller 78 punt return (Run failed)

R — Miller 26 pass from Owen Bertram (Balbuena kick)

Second quarter

R — Austin Darnell 11 run (Balbuena kick)

R — Darnell 3 run (Balbuena kick)

R — Riley Opgrande 26 run (Balbuena kick)

Fourth quarter

W — Monte Georgianna 11 run (Brandon Casteel run)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Washougal: Brandon Casteel 5-13, Garrett Duey 4-5, Kyron Carlson 4-3, Zack Neketuk 14-67, Grayden Economides 1-2, Monte Georgianna 3-26, Kyle Hoesly 2-9. RAL: Darnell 8-56, Opgrande 6-78, Spencer Thorsen 1-7, Will Teigen 1-2, Richard Clark 2-21, Justin Holmdahl 7-9, Conner Wallace 2-(minus 1).

PASSING — Washougal: Carlson 1-6-0, 3; Georgianna 3-9-0, 73. RAL: Bertram 5-8-0, 96.

RECEIVING — Washougal: Tristan Roseff 3-40, Economides 1-7, Daniel Davis 1-26. RAL: Miller 2-59, Swagerty 1-7, Ryan Geier 2-30.