COLUMBIANS ROLL OVER LOGGERS
Rainier won just one game last year in their final season in the Cowapa League, but now the Columbians have a two-game winning streak.
Rainier defeated Knappa 41-0 in the season opener for both teams at Chris Corl Field in Rainier. The Columbians closed out the 2005 season with a Cowapa League victory over Astoria. Many players from that team returned for the Columbians debut in the newly-christened 3A Lewis & Clark League.
An inexperienced Loggers squad got a lot younger when senior fullback and middle linebacker Mike Fulton left the game with a possible groin injury and did not return. His immediate status is unknown.
"We were outmanned," said Knappa's first-year head coach Aaron Thornton, who was hired just a couple of weeks before summer practice began. "We had four freshmen going both ways by the second quarter. Some freshmen stepped up and played ball with those Rainier kids."
Senior quarterback Bobby Harding and junior running back Austin McGlone each rushed for over 100 yards for the Columbians, who dominated in the trenches. Harding, who alternated with freshman Anthony Allen at quarterback in 2005, rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another. A long interception return for a touchdown by Joel Stebbins as time expired in the second quarter gave Rainier a 34-0 halftime lead.
"We are young and inexperienced but we will improve every game," said Thornton. Hopefully by league we will pull something together."
The good news for Knappa is that the Northwest League opener is still more than a month away (Oct. 6 at Corbett). The Loggers host former N.W. League opponent Neah-Kah-Nie Friday at 7:00 p.m. in their home opener.
Rainier defeated Knappa 41-0 in the season opener for both teams at Chris Corl Field in Rainier. The Columbians closed out the 2005 season with a Cowapa League victory over Astoria. Many players from that team returned for the Columbians debut in the newly-christened 3A Lewis & Clark League.
An inexperienced Loggers squad got a lot younger when senior fullback and middle linebacker Mike Fulton left the game with a possible groin injury and did not return. His immediate status is unknown.
"We were outmanned," said Knappa's first-year head coach Aaron Thornton, who was hired just a couple of weeks before summer practice began. "We had four freshmen going both ways by the second quarter. Some freshmen stepped up and played ball with those Rainier kids."
Senior quarterback Bobby Harding and junior running back Austin McGlone each rushed for over 100 yards for the Columbians, who dominated in the trenches. Harding, who alternated with freshman Anthony Allen at quarterback in 2005, rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another. A long interception return for a touchdown by Joel Stebbins as time expired in the second quarter gave Rainier a 34-0 halftime lead.
"We are young and inexperienced but we will improve every game," said Thornton. Hopefully by league we will pull something together."
The good news for Knappa is that the Northwest League opener is still more than a month away (Oct. 6 at Corbett). The Loggers host former N.W. League opponent Neah-Kah-Nie Friday at 7:00 p.m. in their home opener.
posted by Matt Richert at 4:05 PM
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