In 2016, the 4A Greater St. Helens League had the 4A state champion (Camas, take a bow), another semifinalist (Skyview, we see you) and the five league teams went a combined 38-16.
But for many, that the league has just two postseason berths continues to create buzz.
“Two entries; it is what it is,” Camas coach Jon Eagle said. “It’s very challenging to get a playoff spot.”
Since 2010, Eagles’ Papermakers are unbeaten in league at 38-0 with seven straight league titles spanning 3A and 4A. And while he knows his team is full of youth and is stressing patience all around, Eagle knows not to undersell his team’s capabilities.
They won seven league titles in a row for a reason.
But knocking on the door are two teams — Skyview and Union — ready to take charge. For a team that likes to ride the under-the-radar wave, how can you discount Skyview? The Storm have six returning all-league defensive starters (Michael Lundgren and Jevon Kelly are all-leaguers both ways, too) off the Storm’s first 4A state semifinal team since reaching the state title game in 2011.
Back-to-back 4-5 seasons at Union isn’t the norm, either, for a program that’s had seven playoff seasons in the 10-year history of the program. The Titans have depth at skill positions, but question marks are on the line where it’ll be mostly junior-heavy. Union’s Lincoln Victor and Heritage’s Michael Taras competed at the annual Northwest 9 quarterbacks camp earlier this month and are the league’s two returning starting quarterbacks. Heritage continues to make strides in the right direction under third-year coach Matt Gracey, who said there will be 10 new defensive starters and possibly three sophomores starting on the offensive line.
It’s a new start at Battle Ground with first-year coach Mike Kesler. The Tigers hope to continue the recent success of playoff-bound and winning seasons with more of a ground-game presence.
Individual team previews
Battle Ground: Sting of missing playoffs fuels Tigers
Projected Finish
Picks by Columbian sports staff
1. Skyview: Six all-league defensive starters are back on a Storm team that reached the state semifinals.
2. Camas: The Papermakers are young, but when you’re the defending state champs, team can grow up in a hurry.
3. Union: Titans loaded with talented skill-position players looking to snap two-year playoff drought.
4. Heritage: Timberwolves have 10 new starters on defense. Is year three the season for the next step?
5. Battle Ground: With new coach and new offense, Tigers still hoping to continue past trends.
