Rafael Bauman’s huge game leads Hudson’s Bay to 28-21 win over Woodland

In his first start in place of the injured Mateo Varona, Rafael Bauman got eight touches in a loss to Washougal last week.

The junior wanted more, so the Hudson’s Bay coaches gave him more. And did Bauman ever make them glad they did.

Bauman rushed for 271 yards and three touchdowns and caught a 70-yard touchdown reception in leading Bay to a 28-21 win over Woodland in a 2A Greater St. Helens League game Thursday at Kiggins Bowl.

“He’s kind of been waiting for this opportunity,” Bay coach Mark Oliverio said. “He said to me ‘Hey, I need to get a few more touches this week.’ And we said we were going to do it, so here we go. He delivered in a big way.”

Bauman got Bay on the board in the first quarter with a 47-yard touchdown run. On the Eagles’ first offensive play of the second half, he broke free on an 80-yard touchdown run, putting Bay up 14-7.

On Bay’s next possession, he took a draw and went 53 yards for a touchdown. He capped his scoring with a 70-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter that gave the Eagles a 28-14 lead.

“This is my first time,” Bauman said about scoring four touchdowns in a game at any level of play. “Thanks to my (offensive) line.”

Varona, the team’s leading rusher, suffered a broken collarbone in the loss to Mark Morris on Sept. 30. Bauman said it took a complete team effort to fill that void.

“Everyone did their job,” Bauman said. “The O-line did one hell of job blocking. Our receivers did their jobs. Special teams, defense. Really, it was a great team win. And, of course, it sucks not having Mateo. He’s like a brother to me. He’s still with the team. He’s still helping out. He’s on the sidelines supporting us.”

After Bauman’s last touchdown, it was up to the Bay defense to make the lead stand up.

When Woodland got in the red zone early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles recovered a fumble in the end zone. It was the third red-zone trip for the Beavers without any points, as the Eagles recovered a fumble and blocked a punt in the first half.

“The defense was huge,” Oliverio said. “We’ve been waiting to play a game like this. We had two opportunities where they got in the red zone, and we could have just folded up the tents. But (the defensive coordinator Ray) Lions and the staff got behind these guys, and they responded.”

Still, Woodland (4-3, 3-2 2A GSHL) tried to rally late.

Justin Philpot got an interception and returned it to the Bay 21 with 2:32 to play, then he caught a 7-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 1:26 left, cutting Bay’s lead to 28-21.

But Aqeel Bauman recovered Woodland’s onside kick, and the Eagles just needed to take three knees for a huge win that thrusts Bay right back in the playoff chase.

Hudson’s Bay (3-4, 2-3) finishes league play with games against Hockinson and Columbia River.

“They just battled,” Oliverio said. “It was just one of those game we felt we had to win. … We felt like our backs were against the wall this game. We feel like we missed some opportunities in previous weeks. And the guys rose to the challenge and took care of business.”

HUDSON’S BAY 28, WOODLAND 21

Woodland 7 0 7 7—21

Bay 7 0 21 0—28

First quarter

HB — Rafael Bauman 47 run (Joey Roeper kick)

W — Elijah Andersen 18 run (Diego Almodovar kick)

Third quarter

HB — Bauman 85 run (Roeper kick)

HB — Bauman 53 run (Roeper kick)

W — Landon Utter 13 pass from Elijah Andersen (Almodovar kick)

HB — Bauman 70 pass from Dean Castillo (Roeper kick)

Fourth quarter

W — Justin Philpot 7 pass from Brett Martynowicz (Almodovar kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Woodland: Elijah Andersen 16-73, Keaton Northcut 3-19, Brett Martynowicz 2-3, Justin Philpot 1-(-1). Hudson’s Bay: Rafael Bauman 20-271, Talan Leon Guerrero 9-36, Dean Castillo 11-36.

PASSING — Woodland: Brett Martynowicz 16-25-1-180, Elijah Andersen 1-1-0-13. Hudson’s Bay: Dean Castillo 5-13-2-112.

RECEIVING — Woodland: Drew Burns 5-50, Landon Utter 2-44, Keaton Northcut 4-43, Elijah Andersen 3-38, Justin Philpot 2-18, Malcolm Karchesky 1-0. Hudson’s Bay: Rafael Bauman 2-71, Mykell Gipson 1-20, Noah David 1-18, Talan Leon Guerrero 1-3.