Robinson’s big night gives Wash High leg up on New Brighton
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Washington’s Dan Walker leaps over New Brighton’s Ashton Fath to pick up a first down during Friday night’s WPIAL playoff game.
Celeste Van Kirk/For the Observer-Reporter
Washington dual-threat quarterback Zack Swartz has a team-leading 73 rushes for 760 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Washington’s Zahmere Robinson makes a catch behind New Brighton’s Jacob Francona during Friday night’s game.
Observer-Reporter
Washington’s Zahmere Robinson will be a key part in the Prexies playing for what they hope is a second WPIAL title in the last three years.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Dan Walker was one of Washington’s top players last season. Walker intercepted eight passes on defense and had 32 receptions for 572 yards and 9 TDs on offense.
For the Wash High Little Prexies, regular-season results aren’t what you are judged upon. It how you do in the postseason that counts.
In the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, Washington head coach Mike Bosnic’s team knows what needs to be done to make a lengthy playoff run.
The Prexies took their first steps in trying to defend their WPIAL championship Friday night, riding playmaker Zahmere Robinson as Wash High defeated visiting New Brighton, 52-20.
Robinson finished with 322 yards from scrimmage, three touchdowns and an interception as his fingerprints were all over the Wash High (10-1) victory.
“It was a big night,” Robinson said. “I just looked for holes and the line did a great job of creating holes. I just hit them and made some plays.”
The sixth-seeded Prexies advance to the quarterfinals where they will take on third-seeded Steel Valley in a rematch of last season’s WPIAL title game. Steel Valley advanced by defeating Beth-Center, 49-0.
“It’s going to be a tough matchup,” Bosnic said. “We are familiar with them. They always have great athletes and great speed. They are going to be well-coached. We have to be ready and clean some things up.”
Wash High got on the scoreboard in the middle of the first quarter when Zack Swartz hit Robinson with an 82-yard touchdown pass.
The Lions grabbed a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter when fullback Ashton Fath plunged in from one yard out. Fath scored a pair of rushing touchdowns.
Swartz got things done with his legs, scoring on touchdown runs of four and 16 yards to make it an 18-7 Wash High lead midway through the second quarter.
New Brighton (5-6) didn’t go away as Jackson Hall hit Caleb Shuler with a 59-yard touchdown pass to pull the Lions to within 18-3, but the Swartz to Robinson connection struck again from 21 yards to give Wash High a 25-13 lead heading into the half.
Hall was 18 of 35 for 288 yards. Shuler had seven receptions for 166 yards.
“We made some mistakes and it was a little ugly at times, but we took care of business,” said Bosnic. “The most important thing is we move on and have a game to get ready for next week.”
The big play offense of Wash High was on display in the second half as Dan Walker scored on a 31-yard run, Robinson took one 61 yards for a touchdown and Casimuir Johnson raced 52 yards for a score.
Walker finished with 119 rushing yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
The teams combined for more than 1,000 yards of total offense with 602 of those belonging to the Prexies as they rushed for 398 yards.
“Zahmere was incredible,” Bosnic said. “We did some good things and we did some things we have to clean up. We have a lot to work on for next week.”