Washington rolls into WPIAL semifinals
Washington’s Isaiah Schoonmaker stiff arms Brentwood’s Evan Vickless en route to a third-quarter touchdown Friday night.
Washington’s Andrew Mercer (right) blocks for Zyan Wallace as he runs the ball into the end zone for first-half touchdown Friday night against Brentwood.
Washington’s Zack Swartz gets tackled by Brentwood’s Austin Veatch Friday night.
Washington’s Isaiah Schoonmaker returns an interception for a touchdown Friday night against Brentwood.
Washington’s Isaiah Robinson celebrates with Lyle Webb celebrate after scoring a first-half touchdown Friday night against Brentwood.
Washington’s Connor Bedillion passes Friday night against Brentwood.
Washington’s Isaiah Schoonmaker is tackled by Brentwood’s Michael Jablonski during the first half Friday night.
CANONSBURG – And now, the Washington Prexies can smell it.
Friday night’s 61-27 demolition of Brentwood at Canonsburg’s Big Mac Stadium put the Prexies into the semifinals of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs, where they will meet Neshannock. They will bring with them next week a diverse ground game and punishing defense, which was on full display Friday night.
“We had a lot of big plays on offense and we did what we needed to do on defense,” said Washington head coach Mike Bosnic. “Overall, I was real pleased with our play tonight.”
The Prexies (11-0) roared out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and never looked back. Offensively, Washington rolled up 301 yards rushing while holding the Spartans (8-3) to minus-3 yards on the ground. Washington’s pass rush was also strong, racking up six sacks of Brentwood quarterback Michael Trent.
“We did a great job along the lines tonight,” Bosnic added. “We ran it at will and made them one dimensional. That’s what it’s all about.”
Isaiah Schoonmaker was one of the big playmakers for the Prexies. His 55-yard interception return for a touchdown midway through the first quarter gave the Prexies a 14-0 advantage. Schoonmaker also made his presence felt on offense, scoring touchdowns on runs of 1 and 4 yards, respectively, in the second half. He also had 89 yards rushing on eight carries.
“He’s a great player for us and gives us what ever we need,” Bosnic said of Schoonmaker. “That pick six got us going for sure.”
Zayn Wallace added scoring runs of 18 and 7 yards late in the half to push the Prexies lead to 35-7. Wallace also showed some wheels with a 61-yard catch and run for a score early in the fourth quarter that gave Washington a 48-19 lead.
Other big plays for the Prexies included a 40-yard punt return for a score by Isaiah Robinson early in the second quarter that gave Washington a 21-0 advantage. It was immediately answered by Brentwood’s Tylen Neal, who returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards to paydirt and the Spartans first score of the game.
Brentwood’s passing game did make things somewhat interesting in the second half as Trent began to find open receivers. His 20-yard scoring toss to a diving Austin Veatch cut the Prexies’ lead to 35-13 right before the half. Trent found Veatch for two more scoring connections of 31 and 4 yards in the second half and finished with 211 yards passing. But he had no help from his ground attack and was under siege most of the evening from the Prexies front line.
“We gave up a couple throws, but I think we did what we needed to do defensively,” Bosnic said.
Quarterback Connor Bedillion and Zack Swartz both had 1-yard touchdown runs for the Prexies, as well.
Notes
The Prexies wore blue tape on their helmets to honor Canonsburg police officers that were shot earlier this week. A moment of silence was also observed to pay respect for officers Scott Bashioum and James Saieva. Bashioum died as a result of the shooting.