Wash High passes test, handles Yough
Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Wash High's quarterback, Jonathan Spina, (12) dances into the end zone past Yough's Joe Pleva (24) and Wash High's Patrick Ellis (68) and Nate Swart (89)for Wash High's first touchdown of the night in the first quarter. Washington High football team battled Yough at Wash High field Friday night, September 20, 2013.
Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Wash High's Nate Swart breraks the grasp of Yough's Joe Pleva for a big gain in the 2nd quarter Friday night, at Wash High field.
Shai McKenzie was not at Friday night’s football game for Washington High School, but he made his presence felt.
McKenzie, who was lost last week to a torn ACL, had his knee operated on hours before the Prexies took on Yough in a key Class AA Interstate Conference game at Wash High Stadium.
McKenzie texted a number of teammates, urging them to step up and play well against the Cougars.
They did just that.
The Prexies stunned the Cougars on the first play of the game when quarterback Jonathan Spina rifled a 37-yard completion to Nathan Swart that set up one touchdown and propelled Washington to a 35-13 victory in front of a Homecoming crowd.
The win puts Washington at 4-0 with a showdown at Jeannette Thursday night. Yough fell to 2-2 in its four conference games.
“It’s a big change,” said Wash High head coach Mike Bosnic. “It was something we knew we had to do, mix it up, keep them off-balance. I’m proud of the way the kids played.”
McKenzie suffered the torn ACL in last week’s victory over Charleroi and is lost for the season. Bosnic said his operation went better than many expected.
“It was very, very successful,” said Bosnic. “With him being so strong, it’s expected to be a fast recovery. I talked to him before the game, and I know he texted our captains and some of the seniors.”
Spina said he got a text from McKenzie, and that it provided some motivation. Spina finished the game completing eight of 12 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. He scored on a nine-yard quarterback sneak to cap the first series, and that seemed to set the tone for the game.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Spina. “I finally got to throw the football. I liked that. I think that (first pass) gave everyone confidence. It opened up the running game and the passing game.”
Swart finished with three receptions for 78 yards. Chase Caldwell caught two passes for 22 yards and threw a 34-yard touchdown to Dequay Isbel on a pitch-pass play that gave Washington a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
“We were surprised with that pass on the first play,” said Yough head coach Mark Crovat. “I was not surprised they threw the ball downfield.”
Washington’s running game was a eclectic mix of runners, from the powerful Arthur Long, who ran for 16 yards on five carries that included a five-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that made it 35-7.
Jordan West had 63 yards on six carries, all in the second half, and scored on a two-yard run in the third quarter. Malik Wells had 50 yards on 11 carries and Kurt Adkins 21 on six.
“If we continue to win games like this, we’ll continue to do what we’re doing,” said Bosnic of the running back rotation. “We also want to try to get the ball into Quorteze Levy’s hands some more because he can make plays, too.”
Yough made just about every mistake a high school football team can make in falling behind 20-0 at halftime. The Cougars fumbled the ball away once and nearly did it a second time, had their quarterback throw an interception and had a penalty negate a touchdown that could have cut the Wash High lead to 14-7.
“No question that hurt us,” said Crovat. “I feel we left 21 points on the field.”
Yough did score on a 46-yard run by quarterback Tyler Donahue that made it 21-7 in the third quarter. John Sommers scored on a two-yard run with 7:10 to go in the game.
“I was excited even about the negatives of the game,” Bosnic said. “We had some breakdowns and little things that can be corrected. I’m happy with the improvement we showed this week.”