Day After Report: Washougal 27, R.A. Long 19

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As the rain fell in sheets on Fishback Stadium, three Washougal players were literally soaking it all in.

About 30 minutes after Washougal’s 27-19 win over R.A. Long, the three sat at midfield relishing the likely end of a nine-year playoff drought for the Panthers.

We say likely because even though Washougal (4-4, 4-2) celebrated like it was a done deal, there’s still a remote chance that the 2A Greater St. Helens League and its three postseason berths could be thrown into chaos.

It all revolves around the unlikely prospect of league-leading Hockinson (6-2, 4-1) losing next week at R.A. Long (1-7, 1-4).

If Hockinson takes care of business, then the 2A Greater St. Helens League finishes like this: Hockinson No. 1, Columbia River No. 2, Washougal No. 3

But if Hockinson loses, then a pandora’s box of possibilities is opened. River could win the league title at 5-1 if it beats Ridgefield (2-3). Hockinson would be 4-2, Washougal would be 4-2 and Woodland could join them at 4-2 if the Beavers beat Mark Morris (0-8, 0-5).

That would result in a three-team tiebreaker between Hockinson, Washougal and Woodland to determine which two teams join River in the postseason and which one stays home.

And … Say Hockinson and River both lose next week. You could have a four-way tie atop the 2A GSHL, with Hockinson, River, Washougal and Woodland all finishing 4-2. In that instance, we THINK it would finish Hockinson No. 1, River No. 2, Washougal No. 3 and Woodland No. 4 with no playoff required.

Getting tricky

It’s rare that you see a fake punt.

It’s extra rare to see a fake punt … on second down. But that’s what R.A. Long tried during the first half.

Facing second and long from near midfield, the Lumberjacks lined up in a punt formation. The ball was snapped to the “punter” some 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage, who rolled out toward the sideline.

Washougal didn’t send anyone back to field a possible punt. Maybe R.A. Long was trying to bait the Panthers into doing so, removing a potential tackler. Maybe, the punter had the option to kick the ball and pin Washougal deep. But the punter kept the ball and was tackled for no gain.

One play later, Kade Coons intercepted a pass and returned it to the R.A. Long 35 yard line. So maybe R.A. Long should have punted.