Jackson Tyler and Carter Pak, both seniors, support each other and take turns as the kicker for the league-champion Camas High School football team
Paul Valencia
Clark County Today
The field goal was worth so much more than three points.
If good, the field goal would give the Camas Papermakers the outright Class 4A Greater St. Helens League championship.
It would ensure no chaotic three-way playoff tiebreaker.
It would guarantee the Papermakers would make it to the Week 10 playoffs.
The field goal was not challenging — not for an excellent kicker. Still, one had to execute.
In a way, two kickers had to execute, though.
One on the field. The other on the sideline, showing his support.
“I was cheering him on. People expect me to be jealous, but I’m trying to win,” said Carter Pak, one of two kickers for the Papermakers.
Jackson Tyler was the one who was called into service with three seconds left on the clock last week.
The philosophy, though, is if Tyler makes it, Pak makes it. If Pak makes a kick, Tyler makes it.
“We’re doing this as a unit,” Tyler said.
As soon as Tyler’s kick went through the uprights giving Camas the 16-13 win over Skyview …
… “I just stormed the field,” Pak said. “It’s all love.”
The victory gave Camas a perfect 3-0 mark in the 4A GSHL. The Papermakers did not have to endure a three-way tiebreaker for two playoff spots. They made the postseason.
Pak and Tyler. Tyler and Pak. Two great legs, both seniors, but playing what can be a very lonely position.
There is only room for one kicker on the field at a time.
The way Tyler and Pak — and their coaches — have embraced this situation, though, the Papermakers have twice the special teams talent.
For the most part, Tyler and Pak take turns. If the Papermakers score six touchdowns, it is not unusual to see Tyler kick three extra points and Pak kick three extra points. For field goals, it is a “feel” system, if you will. Coaches and players figure it out with a feeling.
So last week, in the final seconds against Skyview, the feel was to go with Tyler.
The Papermakers — all of the Papermakers — will tell you, though, that if Pak was on the field last week, they would still be where they are today, undefeated in the 4A GSHL and in the Week 10 playoffs.
“We believe in both of them,” Camas coach Adam Mathieson said. “We want to honor them. It’s not as awesome when you have two seniors who play the same position. But they’re great role models.”
There is no bitterness between kickers. They are together in their mission: to help Camas football.
“It’s great because I always have my best friend out there,” Pak said. “If I’m clueless, or he’s clueless, we have each other to figure it out. It’s always fun. He’s there for me. I’m there for him.”
As far as the winning kick, again the yardage was nothing. It was a chip shot. Still, there are times when the greatest distance a kicker has to conquer is the six inches between his ears.
“It didn’t really hit me until afterward how much that kick meant for the whole team,” Tyler said, noting that he tried not to think about it too much while he was preparing for the kick.
“I had one field goal last year where I just got super stressed, worked up about it. I shanked it,” he said.
“A 21-yard kick is really nothing unless I make it something,” Tyler added. “At the end of the day, it comes down to the trust you have in yourself and in your teammates. I’ve got to trust my snapper and my holder to do their jobs so I can do mine. I’ve got to trust the guys on the offensive line to do their jobs. In the end, we made that kick because our guys did our job.”
Adriel Vega-Padilla is the Camas long snapper. Cade Lukens is the team’s holder.
After a long, competitive battle with Skyview in a terrible weather game, it came down to a special teams play.
And another league championship for the Papermakers.
“They don’t take those away,” Tyler said.
The two kickers share the kicking duties, but all of the Papermakers share in the league title.
“It’s about the memories I’m able to develop with my friends,” Tyler said. “Whenever we pray before a game, I just thank God for giving me this group of guys, brothers, that we have around us.”
“Camas means everything to me,” Pak said. “I love everyone. It’s one big family. Shout out to all my friends. I love Camas football.”
Playoff notes: Camas hosts Olympia in the Week 10 playoff. Battle Ground is at Bothell in the other Class 4A playoff game featuring a Clark County team.
In 3A, Evergreen is at Liberty, Prairie is at Mount Tahoma.
In 2A, Washougal will host Fife, Columbia River is at W.F. West, and Ridgefield is at Anacortes.
In 1A, Seton Catholic will host Connell, La Center will host Granite Falls, and King’s Way Christian is at Royal.
All Week 10 winners will advance to the state playoffs.
Most of the games are Friday night at 7 p.m. The Seton Catholic game and the La Center game are both at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Ridgefield game is at 4 p.m. Saturday.
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