Nick Sisson for Blast Zone Media

The stakes will be high Friday night at Longview Memorial Stadium for R.A. Long's homecoming game versus Washougal on the gridiron. Both the Lumberjacks and the Panthers are tied together in the GSHL 2A Standings at 2-2 and really need a win in order to inch closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Last week was a bit of a rough week for the Jacks after Woodland strung together a big first half and coasted to a 40-0 win, handing R.A. Long their second consecutive loss after previously putting together a three-game winning streak. Both of those most recent losses, though, were on the road and R.A. Long could sure use the good vibes of playing in front of an amped up home crowd that last saw their Lumberjacks upend Hockinson 47-14 back in Week 4. 

Livestream Link

Washougal at R.A. Long GSHL 2A Football

Getting to Know You

Washougal Panthers

The Panthers are a gritty team that is built on the defensive side of the ball. They have only allowed a total of 74 points in six games, which is saying something considering they've played 3A teams Prairie and Mountain View to go along with 2A league foes Ridgefield and Woodland.

Washougal has dynamic playmakers in Elijah Franco at running back and also has a great tight end in Harry DeShazier, however it is unknown whether he will be healthy enough to play in this game.

Last week against Hudson's Bay quarterback Kaden Fautt threw for four touchdowns and wide receiver Parker Cherry caught two of them and totaled three receptions for 123 yards to go with them. Franco only needed three touches last week to earn 57 yards rushing and two touchdowns of his own.

The Panthers are very well coached under Dave Hajek and will look to be physical upfront to disrupt the Lumberjacks offensive rhythm. 

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

The newly founded Pirate energy and scalli-swag of the old red and black mob will be much needed for the Jacks to get the energy level and confidence to a level that can help them carve out a win. The offense starts with Jaxson Rivenes at quarterback and TraMayne Jenkins out of the slot and the backfield.

In order to come up with a win and put the Jacks right in the thick of the playoff hunt those two will have to turn in solid efforts. Rivenes has put together a very solid season thus far at the helm, utilizing playmakers alongside of him and his own two legs to make things happen when needed.

But in order to have a real chance in this one the Jacks are going to have to find a third, maybe fourth, weapon that forces the Panthers to stay honest. Wide receiver Taijon Reagins and fullback Franklin Pihl can do just that at their respective positions and Pihl is one of the best tackling linebackers on defense in the league. 

Series Notes

Washougal leads the all-time series 19-18 over R.A. Long.

The first game in the rivalry took place October 30, 1926 when Washougal defeated the Lumberjacks 6-2.

Washougal is currently on a seven game winning streak in the series and the last R.A. Long win came September 25, 2015 when R.A. Long won 37-18.

Coach Speak

"They will be a physical test on both sides of the ball. Every game is a playoff game is our mentality but we are still taking the schedule one game at a time."

— R.A. Long coach Jon Barker.  

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N2/Blast Zone Media puts it all in order for Week 7.

Editor’s Note: The N2 Media Game of the Week has previously been featured in the Blast Zone Media weekly prep football previews, but now we’re giving Nick “The N2 Guy” Sisson his own little space to stretch out and do what he does best — call it like he sees it.

Nick Sisson for Blast Zone Media

Friday nights in the 2A GSHL have a tendency to either be insane back and forth games or just absolute blowouts. Either way, those games have a way of turning in surprising results. The Ridgefield Spudders will put their perfect (5-0, 3-0) record on the line on the road against Mark Morris (2-3, 2-1) in a pivotal Week 6 matchup for both teams. The Spudders are coming off back-to-back shutout wins after beating Washougal 21-0 last week, while Mark Morris is back in the win column after defeating Hudson’s Bay 26-14 at home.

On the surface this game doesn’t look like one that will turn out to be the blowout variety, and both teams know how important the final score could be at season’s end. For Mark Morris a win would put them right in the thick of the league title picture with a potential tiebreaker in hand as well. For Ridgefield, a win would accomplish more of the same, while also keeps the Spuds ahead, or even, with Woodland.

Getting to Know You

Name: RIDGEFIELD SPUDDERS

The Spudders’ offense is averaging almost 30 point per game so far this season and it starts with getting the run game going. Cly Stephens has worked his way back into the lineup after missing nearly all of the Hockinson game a few weeks ago. Stephens rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown last week and really takes pressure off junior quarterback Landon DeBeaumont. Jake Olson is another running back Ridgefield can turn to if needed who possesses a little power to go along with enough breakaway speed to run away from defenses.

Last week wasn’t quite so easy for DeBeaumont and company to get going though on offense against a tough Washougal defense. DeBeaumont was able to find wide receiver Wyatt Hemmelman twice for touchdowns, but only had a 7-0 lead going into the fourth quarter before pulling away.

The nice thing for the Spuds is that the defense has provided the offense with plenty of support and allowed them ample time to get going. Opposing teams are only averaging 9.2 points per game thus far and Ridgefield can rotate in plenty of fresh bodies to stay sharp late in games.

X-Factor

Ridgefield will need additional support from someone other than Stephens in this game. While Hemmelman was instrumental in last week’s win, look for receiver Talon Sosky to be a guy that can possibly work behind the defense and on the edges flanked out. He is rangy and might find some big opportunities. on the turf at Longview Memorial Stadium.

Howdy Neighbor

Name: Mark Morris MONARCHS

Coach Mike Peck will have his team fired up for the opportunity to take on a true State contender on the heels of a win that wasn’t the prettiest. Depending on how you look at it, you could see the glass half full or half empty version of the 2024 Monarchs as we pass midseason.

The theme over the last few weeks has been mistakes at costly times. Either turnovers or penalties have been self inflicted wounds Mark Morris simply can’t afford if they are going to have a chance to win against an opponent as tough as Ridgefield.

The glass half full outlook centers around overcoming adversity and finding a way to win. Plus, I don’t think we have seen nearly the best version of what Mark Morris is capable of becoming. If you take away the mistakes from a week ago we could be talking about a thirty point win over Hudson’s Bay.

And then there’s all talent. Deker Bartell is a must watch every time he touches the ball and added two more touchdowns to his resume against Bay. Carter Huhta started strong and finished strong last week with two touchdown passes, a rushing touchdown, and a rushing two-point conversion. When he gets time in the pocket he can really load up and push the ball down the field. Kenny Mullen continues to pound the rock for Mark Morris at running back, and he found pay dirt in the fourth quarter to give the Monarchs the lead for good.

X-Factor

For the price of none I’ll give you two.

First, after seeing this player a week ago I thought, “Wow, this could be a dude who has a major impact on a game at some point.” Freshman Avery Elliot earned a few carries at the running back position and also played in the secondary at defensive back. He showed really good quickness and some elusiveness carrying the ball. He could have a few more carries this week that could provide a change of pace.

Second, if Mark Morris is to win this game they will need a spectacular defensive performance from just about everyone, but one guy in particular is Aimen Flemens. He has tremendous instincts and just a nose for the ball. Multiple times against Hudson’s Bay he was able to meet the running backs behind the line of scrimmage. Look for him to play the part of disruptor against the Spuds.

LAST TWO MEETINGS

Ridgefield 42, Mark Morris 0 - October 6, 2023.

Mark Morris 20, Ridgefield 7 - October 7, 2022.

N2 Media Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/qNbLzHZmB6U?si=BC-V8R8I5lGhP-ew

Week 6 Power Rankings: https://n2media.tv/f/n2blast-zone-power-rankings-week-6#google_vignette