This Columbia River football team is different than in recent years.

For one, Friday’s 19-14 win over Ridgefield guarantees the Rapids will finish with a winning record for the first time since 2014.

Second, it’s a game River won despite nearly surrendering a 19-0 halftime lead at home. The Rapids found a way despite costly penalties and large stretches of the second half where momentum was firmly in Ridgefield’s hands.

Senior Joey Ianello has seen every step of this River team’s growth. A team that went 2-7 his sophomore year reached the state preliminary round last year, finishing 5-6.

Friday’s gritty victory in a rivalry game was only possible with poise and maturity. Would last year’s team have found a way to win that type of game?

“I don’t think so,” Ianello said. “There were tim

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