Without their ultimate dual threat quarterback, the Ridgefield Spudders stayed close in their 19-14 loss to the Columbia River Rapids thanks to gritty defense in a pivotal 2A Greater St. Helens League matchup on Friday, Oct. 17.
The marathon of a football season is hitting hard for the Spudders. Starting quarterback Landon DeBeaumont was seen pre-game with crutches. Spudders head coach Scott Rice said DeBeaumont is day-to-day progressing through physical therapy with a leg injury and he may return by the end of the season. But, overall, Rice said the injury woes have been real, with 12 players unable to play.
“A lot of guys are having to step up,” Rice said. “They’re having to play in positions they’ve never been before, do things we’ve never asked of them, and I like our effort.”
Rice especially liked the effort in the second half as the Spudders held the Rapids scoreless.
Ridgefield attempted a 20-yard field goal at the end of the first half to get points on the board but missed. The Spudders headed into the locker room down 19-0.
The defense came out strong and held Columbia River to a fourth down. Ridgefield’s biggest strong suit has been kickoff and put returns all year. Brian McLemore III struck again for a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown to narrow the Rapids lead.
“He’s electric back there,” Rice said of McLemore. “I don’t know why people keep kicking to him.”
The Spudders marched downfield with their next offensive possession, seeing the run game take shape. Jaysin Watanabe punched in a 4-yard touchdown to get the game to one score.
Ridgefield’s defense kept finding answers to the Rapids first half success. However, the Rapids found answers to Ridgefield’s third string quarterback as EJ Rovira was picked off twice in the fourth quarter as Columbia River sealed the game.
“I’m proud of our effort,” Rice said. “We came out flat in the first half, but, really happy with the way the guys played. I’m really happy with the adjustments and the work they did in the second half. So, I couldn't be prouder.”
With the loss, Ridgefield sits at fourth place at 3-2 in league play as Columbia River now sits at second place at 4-1 in league. The Woodland Beavers previously lost to Columbia River but also sit at 4-1 in league as next week the Beavers and Spudders will clash at Ridgefield on Halloween night at 7 p.m.
But ahead of that, the Spudders look to gain a 4-2 league record as they face off against the winless R.A. Long Lumberjacks at Longview Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.
