CAMAS — The Camas Papermakers were more than ready.
The Arlington Eagles were overmatched.
Seven touchdowns later, it was halftime.
The Camas Papermakers beat Arlington 62-6 on Saturday in the opening round of the Class 4A state playoffs at Doc Harris Stadium. Vincente Huber scored three touchdowns in the first half, including two in a 9-second span, and the Papermakers cruised into the quarterfinals.
Camas (11-0) will host Federal Way next week.
That game surely will be more of a challenge to the Papermakers than this one.
“You don’t ever expect it to be like that,” Camas defensive lineman Luke Minder said. “It was crazy seeing how well we played tonight.”
Camas scored on its first nine possessions, and ran out the clock on the 10th. Camas was not penalized in the game. And the Eagles’ lone score came after Camas put up the first 62 points.
“We just do what we do,” said Camas quarterback Reilly Hennessey, who was 12 of 14 for 141 yards.
Arlington (5-6) came in as a .500 team after the Eagles knocked off Kentwood last week. The Papermakers pride themselves on not overlooking any team, on focusing on the task at hand.
“It speaks volumes to what goes on Friday nights,” Hennessey said.
Or, in the case of the playoffs, Saturday nights.
“We tell our kids that not very long from now, you’ll be done playing,” Camas coach Jon Eagle said. “So we talk about treating each game like it’s a precious, special opportunity. Take advantage of each chance to walk between the lines. Our kids have bought into that.”
John Norcross scored out of the Wildcat formation on back-to-back possessions to open the contest. Nate Beasley broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first quarter to make it 21-0.
Beasley would add another touchdown run in the second quarter and finished the half with 119 yards. He did not touch the ball in the second half.
Huber, meanwhile, had two touchdowns runs in the second quarter. His second, a 4-yard run, came with 1:58 left in the half. On Arlington’s next play from scrimmage, Huber intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown with 1;49 left in the half.
Camas. Total. Domination.
“I was shocked,” Huber said of the ball that was tipped by teammate Michael Johnson. “I did not expect the ball to be tipped right in my hands. As soon as I saw the ball, I knew I was going all the way. No one was stopping me from scoring.”
Huber added a touchdown run in the third quarter to make it 55-0, giving him four for the night.
“That just shows the blocking came into play,” Huber said. “It feels great to see Nate (Beasley) working his tail off, and me right behind him. That’s the end result: Four touchdowns in a playoff game.”
The Camas defense was as solid as the offense.
Arlington got as deep as the Camas 45-yard line once in the first half.
“You develop a trust in your players,” Minder said. “You know they can get the job done and you’re trying to get your job done. And we get it done as a team.”
Bryan Kelly capped the Camas scoring with an 8-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. The second half was played with a running clock.
Arlington found something to cheer about when Connor Bovard caught a tipped pass for a touchdown from quarterback Skylor Elgarico with less than three minutes to play.
By then, the Papermakers were already thinking about the quarterfinals.
“I’m jacked,” Hennessey said of the Federal Way game. “I can’t wait. I hate to say I’ve been looking forward to that game, but I have.”
Arlington0006—6
Camas212867—62
C—John Norcross 7 run (Roldan Alcobendas kick)
C—Norcross 4 run (Alcobendas kick)
C—Nate Beasley 63 run (Alcobendas kick)
C—Vincente Huber 8 run (Alcobendas kick)
C—Beasley 21 run (Alcobendas kick)
C—Huber 4 run (Alcobendas kick)
C—Huber 22 interception return (Alcobendas kick)
C—Huber 4 run (kick blocked)
C—Bryan Kelly 8 run (Tyce Funk kick)
A—Connor Bovard 7 pass from Skylor Elgarico (run failed)
Individual statistics
RUSHING — Arlington — John Decker 9-29, Skylor Elgarico 6-27. Camas — Beasley 10-119, Zach Eagle 2-17, Reilly Hennessey 4-24, Norcross 3-12, Huber 7-52, Kelly 6-61, Cole Zarcone 3-6.
PASSING — Arlington — Elgarico 20-36-2-157. Camas — Hennessey 12-14-0-141.
RECEIVING — Arlington — Jake Peebles 10-96, Decker 5-26, Jayden Jira 1-2 Jon Rabourn 1-2, Christian Sanchez 1-16, Bovard 2-15. Camas — Eagle 5-36, Norcross 2-47, Michael DiGenova 3-37, Beasley 1-11, Huber 1-10.
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