Reporter
Official practice started in mid-August.
But you would be foolish to think football practice started then. It has been going on since spring drills in June. Or weight training in January. Or the day after the last game ended last season.
Of course, that would mean one team — Camas — got a real late start to this season because the Papermakers played into December last season.
No matter when preparation started, the real thing starts tonight. And there are a whole lot more games Friday. And one Saturday, too.
Yes, it is actually here: The 2017 high school football season.
I’ll wait to finish writing this story until after the angels have stopped singing.
♪ ♪ ♪
Oh yes, it is football season.
Kiggins Bowl will get to open this season when Fort Vancouver hosts King’s Way Christian in a non-league game Thursday night. Not going to try to spin this one into a clash of giants, but it is The Game of The Day for Clark County. And it is special for the Trappers and Knights.
All games are special. Week 1 just brings another thrill. After all, every dream is still alive going into Week 1. The journey can begin.
Friday night, 15 more Clark County teams will play their first games.
Mountain View has to wait until Saturday. The Thunder will have an afternoon game at McKenzie Stadium.
All Week 1 games involving Clark County teams are non-league contests. Here are a few featured games for Friday:
Camas vs. Central Catholic in Hillsboro, 7:30 p.m.: The defending Washington state champs go up against one of Oregon’s top programs. Camas also heads to Oregon on a 50-game regular-season win streak. The Papermakers have not lost in September or October since 2011.
Sunset vs. Skyview at Kiggins Bowl, 8 p.m.: The Storm’s first chance to send a message that they really are in position to take over the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League.
Hermiston vs. Union at McKenzie Stadium, 4:30 p.m.: The Titans have plenty of talent coming back, plus new talent that they cannot wait to show off for their fans.
Columbia River vs. Evergreen at McKenzie Stadium, 7:30 p.m.: The second of two games at McKenzie, these two teams went to overtime last season.
Hockinson at La Center, 7 p.m.: The battle of two league champions from a year ago. The 2A GSHL champion Hawks beat the Trico champ Wildcats in Week 1 last year.
To get you more prepared for the season, head to ClarkCountyToday.com’s links to a feature on every team in the county.
Click for the 4A GSHL
Click for the 3A GSHL
Click for the 2A GSHL
Click for the Trico League
Thursday
| Team | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| King’s Way Christian | at | Fort Vancouver at Kiggins Bowl | 7 p.m. |
Friday
| Team | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermiston (Ore.) | at | Union at McKenzie Stadium | 4:30 p.m. |
| Columbia River | at | Evergreen at McKenzie Stadium | 7:30 p.m. |
| LaSalle (Ore.) | at | Hudson’s Bay at Kiggins Bowl | 5 p.m. |
| Sunset (Ore.) | at | Skyview at Kiggins Bowl | 8 p.m. |
| Camas | at | Central Catholic (Ore.) at Hillsboro Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Heritage | at | Prairie at District Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Battle Ground | at | Beaverton (Ore.) | 7 p.m. |
| Hockinson | at | La Center | 7 p.m. |
| Washougal | at | West Seattle | 7 p.m. |
| Woodland | at | Kalama | 7 p.m. |
| Ridgefield | at | Castle Rock | 7 p.m. |
| Seton Catholic | at | Toledo (Ore.) | 7 p.m. |
Saturday
| Team | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferris | at | Mountain View at McKenzie Stadium | 2 p.m. |
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