The Woodland Beavers football team held on to the 2A Greater St. Helens League crown with a 14-7 win over the previously undefeated Ridgefield Spudders on Friday, Nov. 1.
This is the first back-to-back league championship the Beavers earned since 2007. Coming into week nine, the Spudders were perfect on the season at 8-0 while the Beavers were 6-2. Woodland players, who felt they were written off early, had a lot to celebrate with their community and first-year head coach Glen Flanagan after the game.
“It means a lot, being able to share this moment with Glen,” Woodland quarterback Elijah Andersen said. “I’ve been with him since I can remember, so, you know, being able to look up and have him as my head coach means a lot. Last year meant a lot for the community and this year we two-peat. It feels a little bit better this year because now I’m a senior, and I get to end off on a good note and we just have to keep fighting in the playoffs.”
After a surprise, successful onside kick to start the game for Woodland, the Beavers drove right down the field and punched it in for an early score, which Flanagan believed set the tone in the game.
“That was our sixth successful onside kick. You know, special teams has been awesome. Defense has been lights out. We’ve been controlling the clock,” Flanagan said. “... That was awesome getting the onside kick and then going down. I think that kind of sent a message.”
Andersen punched in the second, game-winning touchdown in just the second quarter.
The defense for both teams showed up and showed out in the game. The Beavers, featuring a defense that Flanagan had established for years as defensive coordinator prior to taking the helm as head coach, gave the dynamic Ridgefield offense no time to throw the ball and stuffed the Spudders running attack.
The Beavers defense lapsed and gave up a huge touchdown late in the fourth quarter, followed by the Spudders grabbing up their own onside kick, but Woodland put the game on ice with an interception, allowing the team to run out the clock in victory formation.
After the final whistle, the packed stands of Woodland faithful stormed the field and celebrated with the players and coaches.
“I don’t know if we had more people at Ridgefield [last year] or here. I’m pretty sure almost everybody went to that game last year, and, you know, that shows how good this community is and this community cares about football, cares about the football players,” Andersen said. “I wouldn’t want to be at any other school. This community is everything.”
The league championship allows Woodland to receive a higher seed in week 10. Flanagan said everybody who makes it to week 10 is going to be good, but he likes the chance of playing at home as a higher seed. The Beavers will host a week-10 playoff game, as will Ridgefield and La Center, who both have 8-1 records, as well.
The Woodland Beavers are slated to host Cedarcrest High School from Duvall at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The Ridgefield Spudders are scheduled to host Fife High School at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The La Center Wildcats will host Elma High School, but, as of press time, no day and time has been scheduled for the matchup.
