Wash High does it with defense, shuts out B-C
Washington’s Isaiah Schoonmaker is hit by Beth Center’s Colton Belmont Friday night.
Washington quarterback Connor Bedillion drops back to pass Friday night during the first half against Beth-Center.
Washington’s Isaiah Robinson returns a punt for a 33-yard touchdown Friday night against Beth-Center.
Washington’s Isaiah Schoonmaker carries the ball Friday night against Beth-Center.
Washington’s Malik Mitchell tackles Beth-Center’s Trent Cunko during the first half Friday night.
Washington’s Zyan Wallace scores a touchdown Friday night against Beth-Center.
Washington’s Nick Welsh fights through the tackles of several Beth-Center defenders Friday night.
With a Century Conference championship and undefeated regular season in hand, the Washington Prexies now have bigger game ahead.
A 42-0 win over Beth-Center Friday night at Wash High Stadium capped the regular season and brought into focus new goals for the Prexies, such as a run to a WPIAL title for starters.
That quest begins next week at home for the Prexies (6-0, 9-0). Beth-Center (3-6, 3-4) also made the postseason. Their first playoff game next week will be on the road.
“We love it, we can’t wait to get it started next week,” Prexies coach Mike Bosnic said.
“Great to get another game here at Wash High Stadium. We’ll find out next week who we play.”
Washington’s team speed was evident all night, but never more so on the first play of the second half. Lyle Webb showed serious speed when he took a direct snap from center and ran untouched for a backbreaking score and a 28-0 advantage.
Beth-Center appeared to have caught a break on the Prexies’ next possession when linebacker Dylan Dingle recovered an errant center snap at the Washington 47. But the Bulldogs’ quest to get on the scoreboard ended when they decided to punt on the Prexies’ 35.
The visitors were granted even better field position later in the third quarter when Connor Bedillion fumbled and Jacob Baker recovered for the Bulldogs at the 31. But again the Washington defense held firm as Trent Cunko was held a yard short of the sticks on fourth-and-10 at the Prexies’ 22.
“They are really tough to score on,” Beth-Center coach Joe Kuhns said. “They have guys who run real hard and receivers who can fly, but they are special because of how good they are on defense.”
After appearing to stumble in the third quarter on offense, the Prexies were able to ignite the Mercy Rule when Zyan Wallace scampered into the end zone from 27 yards early in the fourth quarter, giving the hosts a 35-0 lead.
Curtis Gardner capped the scoring when he found the end zone from nine yards late in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs showed some bite early in the contest. On their first possession, Beth-Center moved from their 30 to the Washington 40, mostly on the legs of Dominic Fundy. But the drive stalled there and the Bulldogs were forced to punt.
Beth-Center’s defense made an early stand when Perry Lemley stuffed Prexie receiver Abel Bebout a yard short of a first down at the Bulldogs’ 11 on fourth-and-10 on the Prexies first possession. The Bulldogs’ defense again showed its teeth on a third-and-1 play when Baker sacked Bedillion for a 10-yard loss midway through the second quarter.
But it was all Prexies the rest of the way.
Isaiah Robinson started the scoring late in the first quarter when he fielded a Beth-Center punt on the Bulldogs 33. He sprinted to the right, found a wall of blockers and ran mostly untouched into the end zone for a 7-0 advantage.
“That got us going, that return,” Bosnic said. “We thrive on big plays and a play like that gets us pumped up.”
Washington made it 14-0 midway in the second quarter when Nick Welsh found room around left end and scampered into the end zone from 39 yards.
Bedillion got into the act with his arm on Washington’s next drive when he found a diving Isaiah Perry in the end zone from eight yards for a 21-0 lead.