As he held an assistant coach in a tight embrace, it wasn’t just blue Gatorade running down the cheeks of Fort Vancouver head football coach Doug Bilodeau.
There were also tears.
That Gatorade bath had been a long time coming for Bilodeau and the Trappers. Friday’s 29-27 win over Stevenson was Fort’s first victory since Week 8 of the 2019 season.
“These kids, I’m so damn proud of them,” said Bilodeau, who has coached Fort since the 2021 spring season. “I’m happy to be here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I love Fort Vancouver and I’m here to battle.”
Evan Mendez had eight catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns, including a 24-yard score that put the Trappers ahead with 35 second left.
MOUNTAIN VIEW 62, UNION 35 — Junior Aiden Nicholson had a monster game — pulling in nine catches for 254 yards and five touchdowns — as the Thunder rolled over rival Union in a wild game at McKenzie Stadium.
RIDGEFIELD 26, HOCKINSON 21 — The Spudders’ defense held Hockinson scoreless in the second half and forced three interceptions in the final 24 minutes. Junior running back Rocco Wright to rush for 159 yards on 30 carries.
MARK MORRIS 33, COLUMBIA RIVER 31 — Deacon Dietz rushed for a game-high 241 yards on 30 carries and scored two touchdowns to get Mark Morris off to a win in league play.
PRAIRIE 42, BATTLE GROUND 14 — Prairie running back Alex Ford ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons (3-0) sprinted away from crosstown rival Battle Ground (1-2) in the second half.
HUDSON’S BAY 61, R.A. LONG 42 — Mateo Varona rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns, and Rafael Bauman rushed for 148 and two TDs to lead the Eagles.
SETON CATHOLIC 46, LIFE CHRISTIAN 15 — Quarterback Kolton Gesser threw for over 100 yards in the first quarter and ended with 194 on 14 of 17 completions, as Seton scored four times in the opening period on its way to a rout.
WASHOUGAL 41, WOODLAND 9 — Holden Bea threw three touchdown passes to Sam Evers and Liam Atkin had a pair of touchdown runs as Washougal opened 2A Greater St. Helens League play with a rout at Woodland.
TUMWATER 38, KELSO 19 — Alex Overbay threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns as Tumwater pulled away in the fourth quarter for a non-league win at Kelso on Friday.
MERIDIAN 50, KING’S WAY CHRSITIAN 13 — Ryan Charlton scored two touchdowns, but King’s Way Christian was unable stop a powerful Meridian team, as the Trojans from Bellingham rolled to a non-league win.
EVERGREEN 42, KENTLAKE 9 — Jonathan Landry had two big punt returns, including one for a touchdown, as Evergreen moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2004.
LA CENTER 49, KALAMA 24 — Quarterback Tru Feldman threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns, and Levi Giles and Davari Grauer shined on the receiving end as the Wildcats in a non-league game on Thursday.
Other scores (no report)
East Valley-Yakima 48, Heritage 7
Castle Rock 28, Elma 18
Montesano 56, Columbia-White Salmon 0
