Wash High overpowers Burgettstown in home opener
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Wash High’s Kurt Adkins runs the ball down the field during the first quarter of the game against Burgettstown on Friday, September 11.
Wash High’s Lily Christy kicks an extra point during Friday night’s game against Burgettstown. Christy is believed to be the first female to play for the Prexies.
Washington’s Lyle Webb scores a touchdown during the second quarter of Friday night’s game against Burgettstown.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Wash High’s Markel Pulliam celebrates with Kenya Davis after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of Friday night’s game.
If you want to see footage from a game where everything went right for one team and everything went wrong for the other, check out the tape from Washington’s 62-7 rout of Burgettstown Friday night.
After such an impressive scoreline, you’d think the winning coach would’ve been pretty happy afterwards, but that wasn’t the case with Prexies coach Mike Bosnic.
”I’m not satisfied,” he said. “It’s early, the second game of the year. I know our kids and our seniors have pretty lofty goals. Just not satisfied with where we’re at. We played well tonight, but there are a lot of things we can improve.”
One area Bosnic wanted to improve upon from Week 1 was the seven fumbles his team had. But Friday night’s game started inauspiciously as Jordan West fumbled after a 32-yard gain, giving the ball to the Blue Devils inside their own 10.
Unfortunately for Burgettstown, that positive turned into a negative twice over. First, star receiver Jacob Shipley, who set a school record last week with 182 yards receiving, injured his shoulder when he caused the fumble. It is the same shoulder he had offseason surgery on, and he did not return to the game.
The Blue Devils (1-1, 1-1) were already without Brandon Sell, their other senior wide receiver, who was out with the flu.
”That was definitely a big blow,” said Burgettstown coach Mark Druga. “Bad strip and a bad fall. We were a little behind the eight ball without our two senior leaders, but that’s no excuse. Wash High took it to us, bottom line, and I tip my hat to them.”
Shipley was being examined after the game, and Druga is hopeful that Shipley will be back next week.
If the injury on the fumble wasn’t bad enough, the Blue Devils were pinned deep in their own territory, and just two plays later, they had a fumble of their own that was covered up in the end zone for a safety.
From there, the Prexies’ offense was unstoppable on the new turf at Wash High Stadium. Following the fumble, the Prexies ran just 11 offensive plays in the game’s first 16 minutes but turned them into 40 more points, thanks also to some significant special-teams returns.
At halftime, the score was 56-0. A week after six different players scored for Wash High, seven different players scored Friday.
”Our speed and athleticism were definitely on display tonight,” said Bosnic. “Our kids were determined to break this turf in with a great performance.”
With the win, Bosnic, based on winning percentage, became the winningest coach in Wash High history. His .750 winning percentage (51-17) moves him ahead of Emil Dupke (59-19-3, .747.) Guy Montecalvo ranks third on the list (192-71-2, .728.) But Bosnic is keeping it in perspective.
”It’s a great honor to even be mentioned with some of the coaches who have coached here, but I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near being mentioned with them,” said Bosnic.
The loss was a stunning wake-up call to Burgettstown, which looked impressive following an opening week win against Waynesburg. With Mt. Pleasant waiting next week, things aren’t going to get any easier.
”Wash High didn’t just beat us. They pounded us,” Druga said. “We can definitely learn from this, and we’re gonna come back strong next week.”