Maybe the greatest frustration for anyone in Kelso on Friday night was the lack of a DirectTV multi-game football feed from around Southwest Washington.

Of particular interest was the doubleheader at McKenzie Stadium in Vancouver. Kelso entered Friday’s game against Battle Ground needing not only a win against the Tigers, but victories from Skyview and Evergreen to garner a three-way tie for second place in the Greater St. Helens 4A League standings and qualify for postseason play.

And, of course, there was something called the “Civil War” going on across the Cowlitz River.

The early returns looked favorable.

Skyview and Kelso both routed their opponents by identical scores of 35-7. But in Friday’s late game, Mountain View rallied for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to score a 20-14 win over Evergreen and dash Kelso’s postseason hopes.

“It’s hard to turn the three-way parlay,” Kelso coach Pat Hymes said. “We took care of what we needed to do. The doggone Plainsmen just didn’t come through.”

Lane Sari helped the Hilanders accomplish their primary mission, rushing for 123 yards and three touchdowns in Kelso’s victory. The Hilanders also avenged a 35-7 loss to Battle Ground from the 2008 season. Hilander quarterback Cameron Margaris said that was the only motivation his team needed to avoid being distracted by not controlling its own destiny.

“It didn’t really matter what anyone else did,” he said. “If we lose, it’s over.”

There was never any danger of that.

After forcing a Battle Ground punt on the opening drive, Kelso took over on its 6-yard line. The Hilanders marched 94 yards on a slow, methodical drive that consumed nearly eight minutes. Sari capped the drive with a 6-yard scoring plunge to help Kelso to a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers responded on their next possession by driving to the Kelso 36-yard line. Junior quarterback Chris Paul launched a pass toward the end zone that had the possibility of a game-tying score.

That’s when Kelso defensive back Makaio Mobbs stepped up. Mobbs leaped in front of the pass at the Hilander 7, snatched the ball out of the air and sprinted up the sideline on a 44-yard return. Although the Hilanders ended up punting on the ensuing possession, the defense had sent a message.

“They made some drives on us, but our defense kept stepping up,” Margaris said. “Mobbs’ interception was big and he made a great return.”

Meanwhile, the Tigers’ offense continued to sputter. After a three-and-out, Battle Ground punter Zach Nielsen shanked a punt that went just 5 yards and left the Hilanders in business at the BG 40-yard line. Following a 5-yard penalty, fullback Jared O’Neil burst up the middle and didn’t stop until the end zone, and Kelso led 14-0.

Hymes said the Tigers’ six-man defensive front forced Kelso to find holes in the middle.

“We’ve been able to get to the perimeter on most of the teams we faced this year,” Hymes said. “They took that away from us, but it left us some avenues on the inside.”

The Kelso quick strikes continued. Nielsen’s next punt went 39 yards and left the Hilanders at their own 20-yard line. But a 13-yard run from O’Neil and a 19-yard run by Margaris found Kelso back in Battle Ground territory. On the next play, Margaris swung a screen pass to Sari, who maneuvered 48 yards for a touchdown. Kelso took a 21-0 lead into halftime.

“Cameron really threw the ball well,” Hymes said. “He really gives confidence to the rest of our kids. We know we can run. But we can spread it out, too.”

Sari and Margaris each had touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to cap Kelso’s scoring. Defensive highlights included an interception by Cedrique Chaney, and sacks by O’Neil and Gage Townsend.

Hymes said he was proud of his team’s effort, despite the disappointment in being eliminated from the postseason.

“That’s what happens when you put your destiny into other people’s hands,” he said. “It didn’t quite work out.”

The Hilanders ended the season at 6-3 (3-2 league). Hymes said the 2009 season would still hold many positive memories for his coaching staff.

“It’s not just about the games,” he said. “It’s about enjoying coming to practice. This group was awesome to work with. It was fun to come to work with this group of kids.”

Scots 35, Tigers 7

B. Ground      0       0      0      7 — 7

Kelso              7    14      0    14 — 35

K — Lane Sari 6 run (Sam Schmidt kick)

K — Jared O’Neil 45 run (Schmidt kick)

K — Sari 48 pass from Cameron Margaris (Schmidt kick)

K — Sari 5 run (Schmidt kick)

BG — Jordan Malvo 12 run (Mac Brandenburger kick)

K — Margaris 5 run (Schmidt kick)

Schedule/Standings:  Kelso   Battle Ground