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Prep notes: Jake Davidson of Camas is 4A state football player of the year in selections by state coaches

Quarterback is joined by teammates Chase McGee and Nikko Speer on 4A all-state team

By Tim Martinez, Columbian Assistant Sports Editor, and
Will Denner, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 5, 2025, 6:03pm

Camas quarterback Jake Davidson was selected as the Class 4A overall state football player of the year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association on Sunday.

Davidson completed 223 passes on 321 attempts for 3,711 yards and 53 touchdowns after leading the Papermakers to a 13-1 season and a runner-up finish at state. The senior threw at least three touchdown passes in 12 of his starts, and he also rushed for five touchdowns.

Davidson was previously selected as the Gatorade state player of the year and The Columbian All-Region player of the year.

Joining Davidson on the Class 4A all-state team were Skyview offensive lineman Noah Thomas, Camas receiver Chase McGee, Skyview receiver Gavin Packer, Camas linebacker Nikko Speer and Union kicker Canaan Moore.

Sumner running back Steele Isaacs was the 4A state offensive player of the year, and Bethel linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale was the 4A state defensive player of the year.

Four players from Seton Catholic’s state runner-up team were selected to the Class 1A all-state team: running back Jacob Williams, receiver Ryker Ruelas, all-purpose player Joe Callerame and linebacker Aeven Napoleon.

Also selected to the 1A all-state team were La Center linebacker Wyatt Eiesland and kicker Nate Rembisz and Columbia-White Salmon offensive lineman Matthias Posini.

Royal quarterback Lance Allred was the 1A overall state player of the year. Nooksack Valley running back Colton Lenz was the offensive player of the year and Royal linebacker Ben Jenks was the defensive player of the year at 1A.

Evergreen receiver Terrance Saryon and defensive back Josiah Alanis were selected to the 3A all-state team, along with Mountain View offensive lineman Juan Pasillas-Stanton and Kelso running back Aden Mintonye and punter Tucker Amrine.

Eastside Catholic offensive lineman JoJo Matautia was the 3A overall state player of the year. O’Dea running back Uriah Stringfield was the top offensive player, and O’Dea linebacker Joseph Fuavai was the outstanding 3A defensive player.

Woodland all-purpose player Elijah Andersen and Washougal defensive back Elijah Franco made the 2A all-state team.

Anacortes all-purpose player Brady Beaner was the 2A overall state player of the year. Lynden quarterback Brant Heppner was the top pick on offensive, and Tumwater defensive lineman Malijah Tucker led the defense.

La Center boys give it their all

As seniors, La Center boys basketball captains Logan Rainey and Jayce Grotte have seized the opportunity of their final high school season playing with the Wildcats.

The two helped the Wildcats capture their most lopsided win of the season on Friday, a 64-28 win over Class 2A Woodland, to move to 4-4 with their 1A Trico League schedule resuming Tuesday in a road game at Columbia-White Salmon.

“My mentality going into the season was, ‘this is it,’” Grotte said. “This is my last season as a high school student, so it was bring my all and just work as hard as I can.”

While players put in a lot of that work during the team’s two-hour daily practices, both Rainey and Grotte agreed a major difference-maker for them was the countless hours they dedicated to their craft on their own time during the offseason.

“During the summer, I was getting up at 5:30 every morning to lift,” Rainey said. “Then I would come home, get a basketball workout, eat, kind of just do whatever and then have another workout at night. So, I think just having a routine really helps when it’s game time.”

Rainey, who led La Center with 21 points Friday, including five 3-pointers, and Grotte are the primary ballhandlers on a versatile La Center team that also started forwards Callum Bradley, Peyton Larkin and Zayne Latham, who chipped in 14 points Friday.

After their latest win, the Wildcats are hoping it leads to more consistency in close late-game situations. Three of the Wildcats’ four losses have been decided by five points or less, including December losses to Trico League opponents Seton Catholic and Castle Rock.

“It’s absolutely a great group of guys, it’s one of the best groups of guys I’ve ever coached,” La Center coach Jeremy Ecklund said. “Now we need to figure out a way to win those close games.”

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The Wildcats have their work cut out for them. Six of eight Trico League teams have a record of .500 or better. Then there’s defending league champion Seton Catholic (3-4), which has played a challenging non-league slate against the likes of R.A. Long, Annie Wright, Tualatin (Ore.) and Columbia River.

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