After the Olympia Bears defeated Hazen High School, they’re off to their best start at 3-0 since the 2017 season.
Hazen High School traveled 2 hours to Ingersoll Stadium and was met by an overwhelming crowd of Olympia High School students and fans who were there to watch the game and ultimately, the Bears win.
The Bears in the first half were dominant, only allowing Hazen to score once. The Bears’ offense took advantage of the game and scored 21 points in the first half. Quarterback Cameron Downing threw dimes across the field and Wide Receiver Harper Hejtmanek caught those dimes, beating the Hazen cornerbacks multiple times and scoring two touchdowns.
In the second, the Bears offense slowed down. However, Hejtmanek scored his 3rd touchdown of the game. The Bears struggled defensively giving up 19 points, but the defense came in clutch by stopping the Hazen comeback and stopping the 2-pt conversion which sealed the game for the Bears with a score of 28-26.
The Wednesday after the game, Starting Quarterback Cameron Downing was asked how he felt about a great start to the new season at 3-0. He stated, “Our goal every week is to win. We’re going to make that what’s important now and see where the season and games take us this year.” The great start has been led with a great mindset from the team and Coach Nick Mullen, which has led to the 3-0 record.
Downing tore his ACL which took him out for the whole season. In his first year as Starting Quarterback, he shared how it felt to come back and start the season 3-0: “It feels amazing. I’m just very happy to be able to share in the team’s success.” Being injured all of last season hurt Downing, but the Bears’ comeback has started and led to a great start to the season.
Senior Harper Hejtmanek erupted on Friday scoring three of the Bear’s four touchdowns. As for what it felt like to have one of the best football games in Olympia High School history, he explained: “It’s a blessing to have teammates and coaches that believe in me to get the ball. The game showed that hard work pays off.” Teammates and coaches played a role in helping Hejtmanek have a great game, but hard work always pays off.
Hejtmanek has played in three straight games as the key receiver. He elaborated on his experience: “The whole time it was surreal, but I got lots of fist bumps and good jobs. Mostly coaches realized that these types of games are now almost an expectation for me.” The Bears have had great outcomes when Hejtmanek gets the ball, and he has realized that this is his new norm.
