By Dan Trujillo
Post-Record staff

The will to win continues to drive the Washougal High School football team.

On Saturday, the Panthers made a difference in people’s lives away from the football field. They saw physically and mentally challenged children play baseball on the Columbia River Miracle League field at the Harmony Sports Complex, in Vancouver. They also helped these kids catch and throw, swing the bat and round the bases.

“I love the smiles on these kids’ faces,” said senior running back Will Hawley. “They get a chance to hit the ball hard somewhere and run around the bases. It’s like the biggest thrill in the world to them.

“This kind of puts things in perspective. All the things that we take for granted,” he added. “We take for granted that we get to play football every day, when not everyone can.”

Close to 40 children are playing on four Miracle League teams this fall, a huge leap from the seven players the league started with two years ago. Washougal is one of several high schools from Clark County helping these children learn to play baseball. “This season has been one of the best for volunteers,” said coach Ralph Hauser, who spends two hours throwing pitches for the kids to hit every Saturday in the spring and fall.

“I’m hoping [the high school volunteers] see it now, and that they come back. I think a lot of this opened their hearts,” Hauser said. “When these guys want to coach a team after they graduate from high school, they’ll know what it’s all about.”

Head coach Josh Gibson echoed the importance of helping others. There is more to life than just football. The Panther players got that message Saturday.

“Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘one of life’s most important questions is what are you doing for others?’ We’re doing what we can today to live up to that,” Gibson said. “Our guys took time out of their day to help give these kids a good time. That’s what today is all about. Helping others, and being selfless.”

The Washougal football players have the ability to run fast, throw far, even score a touchdown. These Miracle League athletes are just as determined. They’re hitting the ball harder, and they’re running the bases faster. They’re understanding of the game is also growing.

“I like bonding and talking with the kids. They have a lot of cool things to say,” said Hawley. “These kids are doing things you wouldn’t expect them to do. It’s amazing.”

“It’s not just about yourself, its about family and the community, and helping people in need,” said senior Ben O’Hara. “This is the one chance these kids have to be a part of sports. It’s pretty rewarding to be a part of it. You can’t explain it until you’re out here doing it.”

While success on the football field has been hard to come by for the Panthers this fall, they all felt like winners Saturday. “We’ve got a bright future if we continue to do the right things,” Gibson said. “These are the group of kids that are paving the road. And, they’re doing in a way that the community can be proud of.”

Dan Trujillo
Sports Reporter
Camas-Washougal Post-Record
425 N.E. 4th Ave.
Camas, WA 98607
Phone: 360-834-2141
Fax: 360-834-3423
E-Mail: dan.trujillo@camaspostrecord.com

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