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Quick-strike Wash High slips past controlling California

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COAL CENTER – Friday night at California High School’s Trojans Stadium proved to be a tale of two offenses. One was methodical, grinding and ball-controlling. The other was quick-hitting and lightning-fast, appropriate given the threat of thunderstorms in the area.

The latter belonged to Washington, owner of three games of 55 points or more, including back-to-back victories by scorelines of 58-0 and 55-0, apparently seething over a Week 1 loss to Charleroi.

On the other side was host California, which set out specifically to stop the Prexies from possessing the ball, running their typical ball-control, triple-option offense.

In the race against time, in the form of the weather – and each other – it was Washington winning, 41-25, as the Prexies’ defense came up with timely stops and California missed on a handful of chances.

“I was proud the way we played in the second half and finished the game,” said Prexies coach Mike Bosnic. “We came out flat. But the most important thing is we got the win and can build on that.”

The Prexies led 14-12 at halftime, then the game turned into a quick strike, back-and-forth affair. California (1-4) took the lead just 86 seconds into the third quarter when Jelani Stafford bulldozed his way through the line to rumble 28 yards.

The problem for California was stopping that high-octane Washington attack. Following the ensuing kickoff, Dylan Asbury broke down the left sideline, showing off his speed, going 58 yards to put the Prexies (4-1) back on top for good at 21-18, with not even two minutes elapsed in the third quarter.

“Got to stop them,” said California coach Darrin Dillow. “We knew what we were getting into.”

Truth be told, Washington barely had the ball, as the Trojans’ game plan was working almost to perfection. But the Prexies didn’t need the ball for long. Leading rusher Asbury had only seven rushing attempts but racked up 173 yards, and quarterback Zach Swartz rushed just five times but had 88 yards, including a 33-yard score.

Swartz was even more dangerous through the air, completing 7 of 10 passes for 158 yards and four touchdowns. The backbreaker was a 53-yard toss to Isaiah Walton, after Swartz had trouble handling the ball in the backfield.

“We have some dynamic guys on offense,” said Bosnic.

Conversely, California’s offense lacked the efficiency of its opponent but acquitted itself quite well. Stafford, who hasn’t seen much action this season so far as he’s been banged up a little, ran 23 times for 128 yards. Quarterback Austin Grillo rushed 16 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns, throwing for another, but three missed two-point conversions and several turnovers on downs in Washington territory will leave Dillow wanting.

“If they don’t have the ball, they can’t score,” said Dillow. “That’s our goal all year, control the clock. It just wasn’t enough.”

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