Flanagan takes to the air as Woodland routs Columbia River 40-6

Before Friday’s game against Columbia River, Tyler Flanagan said he was more concerned about wins than personal statistics or records.

Then the Woodland senior went out and proved it.

With the Woodland single-season rushing record within reach, Flanagan turned to the air Friday, throwing two first-half touchdown passes  to spark the Beavers to a 40-7 win in a Class 2A Greater St. Helens League game.

“We went empty (backfield) and they put six guys in the box,” Flanagan said. “So we had man-up across the board. I took my chances with my receivers, and they executed.”

The win clinched the No. 2 seed from the 2A GSHL for Woodland (7-1, 4-1 league) to the district playoffs in two weeks. Columbia River (5-3, 4-2) is locked in at the No. 3 seed.

After throwing an interception on the Beavers’ second possession of the game, Flanagan went back to the air on Woodland’s next possession. His 67-yard touchdown pass play to Christian Yager gave Woodland 14-0 late in the first quarter.

The Beavers got the ball again, and again Flanagan found Wyatt Wooden for a 22-yard touchdown pass that put Woodland up 20-0 early in the second quarter.

“We just feel that if Tyler sees what he sees, he’ll check out to a play and he’ll go to that,” Wooden said. “If Tyler sees something, he’ll go to it.”

With River now worried about the run and the pass, more running room opened up for Flanagan. He broke off a 30-yard touchdown run to give the Beavers a 26-0 lead at halftime.

He added his third TD run in the third quarter and Ryan Hope’s 8-yard run in the third put the running clock in motion with a 40-0 Woodland advantage.

Flanagan finished the game with 162 yards rushing on 19 carries. He also passed for 162 yards.

“It started with our line,” Flanagan said. “The line really stepped up. They were working hard all week. Our coaches were getting on them, and they got (ticked) off. They stepped up and accepted the challenge.”

The Woodland defense pitched a shutout until 3:10 was left in the game. River was limited to five first downs in the first half.

“Our defense was just lights out,” Flanagan said. “They were flying around, making plays.”

The Beavers finish the regular season at home next Friday against Mark Morris. Columbia River has a non-league home game against Clarkston.