High School Football: Camas to host Union while honoring firefighters

Firefighters who are battling the Nakia Creek Fire north of Camas are invited guests of Camas High School for the Papermakers’ rivalry game against Union.

Week 8 has plenty of games with playoff implications throughout Clark County

The Camas Papermakers are looking to get to 2-0 in league play and have a virtual lock on a 4A Greater St. Helens League championship on Friday night.

But that is not the most compelling aspect of their game at Doc Harris Stadium.

Camas is celebrating firefighters. Not just the local guys. But all who have traveled to Clark County to battle the Nakia Creek Fire.

Firefighters who are working the fire around Larch Mountain by day are at a base camp at night near the school. Any firefighter who wants to attend Friday’s game against rival Union is welcome, free of charge, according to Camas High School officials.

Local businesses have donated food to feed the firefighters, as well.

“We wanted to find a way to honor all those who are coming into our community who are serving our community,” said Stephen Baranowski, the school’s athletic director.

Bleachers have been added to one of the end zone areas at Doc Harris to accommodate the firefighters. Baranowski said he has no idea how many firefighters will take the school up on the offer. Could be a couple dozen. Could be a few hundred.

“We’re ready for whoever shows up,” Baranowski said.

The AD added that he has family members who were in the evacuation zone last weekend and spent time at his home. He knows a lot of people who had to rush out of the danger zone.

This gesture, the football game, is a way to honor those going in the other direction.

“It’s nice to give back to the people who were rushing in,” Baranowski said.

Oh yeah, it’s also the Camas vs. Union game, traditionally one of the biggest games on the schedule.

The Titans and Papermakers have struggled at times throughout the non-league schedule but both won their 4A GSHL openers last week. Camas rallied from 19 points down in the fourth quarter to stun Skyview. Union topped Battle Ground. With only three games in the league season, well, every game is important.

Skyview, meanwhile, looks to bounce back with a game against Battle Ground. The Storm have to root for Union to beat Camas to have any realistic chance at sharing a league title. If Skyview wins this week, the Storm will be playing to extend its season in Week 9 against Union.

In the 3A GSHL, Prairie is taking on Evergreen. The Falcons need a win to keep any hope of the postseason alive. Evergreen is hoping to top Prairie, stay unbeaten in league, and set up a Week 9 showdown with Kelso. If Evergreen wins this week, Evergreen and Kelso will both be undefeated in league for the regular-season finale.

In the 2A GSHL, Washougal is taking on Columbia River. If Washougal wins, the Panthers will assure themselves of at least a tie for a league title and they will secure the No. 1 seed to the playoffs.

Woodland and Mark Morris play each other with second place on the line.

The league has had so many twists and turns that just about every team in the league has a mathematical shot at the playoffs. And those who don’t make the playoffs can certainly play spoiler.

In the Trico League, as expected, it has been all La Center.

Here is the Week 8 schedule for Clark County teams:

4A GSHL

Union vs. Camas, 7 p.m. Friday at Doc Harris Stadium
Skyview at Battle Ground, 7 p.m. Friday

3A GSHL

Prairie vs. Evergreen, 4:30 p.m. Friday at McKenzie Stadium
Mountain View vs. Heritage, 7 p.m. Friday at McKenzie Stadium (or 20 minutes after the end of the first game)