Woodland faces must-win situation against Washougal

Woodland is 1-2 in Class 2A Greater St. Helens League play heading into Friday’s home game with Washougal, which puts the Beavers in a must-win situation to remain in the race for a playoff spot.

Beavers will try to bounce back from crushing loss to Columbia River

Woodland Beavers (2-4, 1-2 2A GSHL)

Week 1: Kalama 26, Woodland 14 Week 2: Woodland 35, La Center 28 Week 3: Hockinson 49, Woodland 27 Week 4: Hudson’s Bay 16, Woodland 15 Week 5: Woodland 27, R.A. Long 20 Week 6: Columbia River 19, Woodland 13, OT Next: vs. Washougal, 7 p.m. Friday in Woodland The Beavers could not get out of their own way with turnovers and so many missed scoring opportunities in a loss to Columbia River.

The 1-yard line? The won-yard line? Or the loss-yard line?

Three times Woodland got to the Columbia River 1-yard line and failed to score. All had to do with penalties. After getting to the 1-yard line on one series, the Beavers had back-to-back false starts to push them to the 11-yard line. Another gain to the 1-yard line would end on a fourth-and-goal situation from the 36-yard line. Yes, the 36! And on another, the ball was played inside the 1-yard line, but another penalty pushed back the Beavers, who then turned the ball over to the Chieftains. That kind of night for Woodland.

Another dropped opportunity:

Woodland quarterback Wyatt Harsh understands the pressure of the position. He knows he and his teammates turned it over too many times in this one. But he also threw one of the best passes I’ve seen all year as he was about to get clobbered by a River defensive lineman. He threw the ball on a corner route on a pass that would have tied the game in the first half, but the receiver did not come down with the catch. Again, that kind of night for Woodland.

Defense:

The Beavers defense was solid nearly all night. Numbers on the jerseys were difficult to read on my video, but I believe Jack Ripp had a sack early in the game and he forced a fumble later in the game.

Coach Speak:

What did Mike Woodward think of the Week 6 game? “Probably the toughest loss I've had in years … still hurts bad.” MVP offense: Christian Yager with 11 receptions for 97 yards and one TD. MVP defense: Kenyon Guy with 8 tackles, including two for loss, and an interception. (I had a tough time seeing the jersey numbers but I believe it was Guy’s interception that was truly highlight-level. He was following the intended receiver. Tipped the ball before it got to him, the ball went high, and Guy tracked it down and made the interception.) Thoughts on Week 7 vs. Washougal: “We still have a chance at that two-seed,’’ Woodward said. “We’re not out of it yet. Huge game for us vs. Washougal.”