Prep football preview: Evergreen vs. Columbia River
NON-LEAGUE GAME
WHEN, WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday at Chieftain Stadium, Columbia River HS.
LAST YEAR: Evergreen 2-7; Columbia River 6-5.
GAME NOTES: Evergreen has not had a winning season since 2008, but the Plainsmen have won their last four season openers. Evergreen is hoping a move to the 3A Greater St. Helens League produces better results. Senior QB Peyton Monda returns to lead the offense. He passed for 975 yards and 5 TDs last season. Three of those TD passes went to Dustin Nettles, who also returns. Nettles caught 55 passes for 599 yards. The Plainsmen are young, with just seven seniors projected to start. Columbia River won the 3A Greater St. Helens League title before losing to Juanita 57-7 in the first round of the3A state playoffs. This is the debut of River coach Christian Swain, who replaces longtime coach John O’Rourke. Senior RB Hunter Pearson (486 yards, 3 TDs) is the top returning rusher. Anthony Jenkins takes over at QB as River has a long history of reloading from its JV programs. River has won six straight season openers. The Chieftains return two all-league offensive linemen, and three all-leaguers on defense.
FANS’ PICK: Columbia River, 76 percent (as of noon Wednesday)
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