Week 1: New quarterback impresses for Woodland

Flanagan credits the team’s blocking for his big debut

Guess one could say Tyler Flanagan’s debut as Woodland’s quarterback was a success.

After all, he was responsible for six touchdowns.

Flanagan is more than just a running quarterback. He is a super athlete who is fast enough to run by opponents, agile enough to make opponents miss him, and tough enough to just run over an opponent, or two or three.

All of those skills were on display in Woodland’s 48-40 win over Kalama.

Oh, and he already is smart like a quarterback, too. After the game, he told the Daily News of Longview that all credit should go to the offensive linemen for their blocking. He gave love to his receivers for their blocking, too, adding that “they buried some of their DBs.”

I’ll just assume he meant that figuratively.

In all, according to the TDN.com, Flanagan rushed for 257 yards and four touchdowns, plus he threw for two scores.

The Beavers also got a defensive touchdown in this game. Isaac Hall had a pick-six to open the 2018 scoring.

Woodland led 41-14 at the half, then had to hold off Kalama in the second half.

Coach’s point of view:

“We got off to a fast start. We’ve got some weapons for sure,” Mike Woodward said. “We’ve got to learn how to finish a game.”

He said he had never been part of a game like that, up four touchdowns after the first quarter but then having to hold off the opponent.

“That’s a credit to their team, too,” he said, adding Kalama was a big test for the Beavers.

While it got closer than a coach would prefer after such a big lead, Woodward said he was pleased with the character of his players.

“Our kids didn’t panic,” he said. “Our kids are pretty resilient and they just kept playing.”

Besides Flanagan, Woodward pointed out the play of linemen Bryce Graham and Jason Bowman.