Woodland's “Green Swarm” defense made sure the Beavers finished the regular season on top.
Behind a dominant defensive performance that included three interception returns for touchdowns, Woodland defeated Ridgefield 40-3 in the final game of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 30, securing the 2A Greater St. Helens League North title and its third league championship in four years.
Senior Michael Belvin accounted for two of the three pick-sixes, turning a strong defensive showing into a memorable Senior Night performance in front of a large home crowd.
For Woodland head coach Glen Flanagan, the victory represented a measure of redemption for a program that entered the season looking to prove itself after a disappointing finish the previous year.
"We knew early on we'd be decent, but I think you just got to get it done on the field," Flanagan said. "(After) last year, I think people didn't believe in us this year, because last year we had two games, I believe we should have won at the end of the year, that we just absolutely played poorly."
The Beavers responded by putting together a season that culminated in another league championship, with the defense continuing to serve as the team's foundation.
Woodland's defense faced an early challenge against Ridgefield after a fumble on the opening kickoff gave the Spudders possession deep in Beaver territory. Rather than allowing the early opportunity to change the game's momentum, Woodland's defense stepped up and continued a trend that Flanagan said had defined the team throughout the season.
"And so guys worked hard, and we wanted to have a little bit of redemption," Flanagan said. "For a start like that, with a fumble on the opening kickoff, and they're deep in our territory, but our defense has stepped up. I think it's kind of how we've been all year."
The Spudders landed a field goal after the fumble recovery for Ridgefield’s lone score of the game.
The Beaver defensive unit eventually turned the game into a showcase of its playmaking ability, with three interceptions returned for touchdowns, and two additional interceptions.
Belvin's two interception returns highlighted the performance. The senior said his preparation and attention to coaching helped put him in position to make the plays.
"You know, our linebacker coaches tell me, ‘Sit on that hitch, you're going to get a pick,’ and he was exactly right, dropped back, sat on that hitch, and took it to the house," Belvin said.
The Beavers' defensive success has been built on more than individual plays, however. Belvin credited the unit's collective effort and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks for creating opportunities throughout the season.
“It's the heart and soul of our team," Belvin said of the defense.
That approach helped Woodland finish the regular season with another league championship, continuing a run of success that has established the Beavers as one of the area's consistent programs.
"It's our third league championship in four years, so I guess we're doing something right," Flanagan said. "But these kids, they're great kids. They're kind of crazy."
Flanagan described the group as a blue-collar team that takes pride in playing physical football and finding ways to get the job done.
"They have fun with it, but they play hard. We get after it. We have blue-collar Woodland kids that get after it," Flanagan said. "We just hit hard, and we play hard.”
The final game celebration also reflected the connection between the football program and the Woodland community. Flanagan pointed to the youth football players, cheerleaders and families who helped create the atmosphere before the game, forming a tunnel for the players to run through.
"The fact that we had all the cheerleaders, all the little youth football teams out in the tunnel, and then the moms came out, and all the kids that were going through the tunnel at the start of the game, they're high-fiving you, screaming," Flanagan said. "I mean, it's what Woodland's about."
With the regular season complete, Woodland turns its attention to the postseason, where the competition will become more difficult.
Belvin said the Beavers are excited about the opportunity but understand the need to continue improving.
"We need to start playing even better football, because the opponents are going to be tougher," Belvin said.
While the Beavers won the north 2A GSHL league title this season, their undefeated record against five 2A GSHL north and south opponents would have claimed the overall 2A GSHL championship.
The 2A GSHL was divided into a north and south division due to the spring merger and subsequent exit by the 2A Evergreen Conference teams after schedules were in place. Woodland finished the season 5-0 against 2A GSHL teams while Ridgefield and Hockinson both finished 3-2 in the standings over 2A GSHL schools.
"It's a great day to be a Beaver," Flanagan said.
