Passing game clicks as Wash High rolls
Knowing at some point the Washington Prexies will need to expand their offensive capabilities to make a deep postseason run, coach Mike Bosnic made it a point of emphasis to diversify an attack that historically was predicated on the ground game.
That expanded offense, along with a big-play, turnover-hungry defense was on display Friday night as the Prexies took the measure of Sto-Rox, 63-20, in non-conference action at Wash High Stadium.
Washington (5-0) scored the game’s first 51 points before the squads swapped touchdowns in the final 5:33, long after the contest was decided.
“We’re happy with what we did tonight,” Bosnic said. “All of our kids played with a great deal of intensity tonight and it was really good to see.”
The Prexies came into Friday night averaging 41 points per game. After their 63-point explosion, they are averaging a hefty 45.4.
Quarterback Connor Bedillion completed six of 12 passes for 104 yards in the first half. Three of those completions went for touchdowns as the Prexies showed they do not have a one-dimensional attack.
“We’re working to be more diversified on offense, for sure,” Bosnic added. “We want to be more balanced and the kids are doing a great job at that. Connor had a real good game for us today.”
The scoring barrage started early and often for the Prexies as they raced out to a 37-0 halftime lead. Jake Swartz got it going for the Prexies when he blocked a LaVaughan Hawkins punt early in the first quarter. Hawkins fell on the ball in the end zone, but Swartz covered Hawkins, giving the Prexies the game’s first two points.
Washington cashed in on their first possession when Bedillion found Isaiah Schoonmaker in the right flat on fourth and four from the Vikings 14. Schoonmaker rumbled untouched for a 9-0 Prexies lead.
The Wash High defense then made its presence felt when Isaiah Robinson intercepted Eric Wilson at midfield. Robinson weaved his way to the end zone and a 16-0 advantage. Washington made it 23-0 when Bedillion play-faked into the line and found Swartz open over the middle and in the end zone for 17-yard scoring play late in the first quarter. Lily Christy kicked the third of seventh extra-point.
Ronnie Paith’s five-yard run and a second Bedillion-to-Schoonmaker (two catches, 58 yards for two TDs) connection, this one of 44 yards, closed the scoring in the first half.
“I also thought defensively, we controlled them most of the night,” Bosnic said. “They got some stuff there in the fourth quarter, but overall I was happy with how we played across the board.”
The second half began with a 22-yard scoring run by the Prexies’ Nick Welsh and another defensive score, this one a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown by Paith that gave Washington a 51-0 bulge midway through the third quarter.
Sto-Rox (3-3) got on the scoreboard when Wilson found Hawkins in the middle of the end zone for a 7-yard scoring strike early in the fourth. Wilson (15 of 29 for 308 yards) converted the two-point play when he again found Hawkins (seven receptions for 103 yards) in the back of the end zone.
Dylan Asbury added scoring runs of four and 44 yards for the Prexies in the final frame while Wilson kept slinging, adding a 33 yard scoring toss to Marcus Upshaw and an 80 yard strike to Eric Hogan over the game’s final two minutes.
Cognizant his squad surrendered 20 fourth-quarter points, Bosnic said he looks forward to breaking down film and dissecting what the Prexies can improve upon.
“There are definitely things we need to work on,” he added. “But this was great as we were able to get a lot of kids in and get some experience.”