Prexies can’t solve Barksdale, Steel Valley
By Dave Whipkey
For The Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Washington knew its competition would be a step up this week when perennial Class 2A power Steel Valley came calling Friday night at Wash High Stadium.
The Prexies lost twice to the Ironmen last fall, once in the regular season at William Campbell Field in Munhall and a second time in the WPIAL playoffs.
This year’s Washington squad came into this contest a bit more seasoned and was more than competitive with Steel Valley, but the result remained the same as the Ironmen defeated Washington, 21-6.
Washington (1-1) had no answer for Da’Ron Barksdale, who scored three times and rushed for 124 yards on 18 carries.
The Prexies began the second-half with a bang after they stopped Steel Valley (1-1) on fourth down deep in their own territory. Washington then went 85 yards in nine plays capped by a Jahvon Woods two-yard touchdown run. The two-point throw was intercepted, leaving the Washington deficit at 7-6 late in the third.
“We just started playing our game,” Prexies coach Mike Bosnic said. “Once we cut down on the mistakes, we’re going to be trouble to deal with.”
But Barksdale, a Pitt recruit, returned the ensuing kickoff to the Prexies’ six. Two plays later, the future Pitt Panther found the end zone from two yards out with 39 seconds left in the third quarter. The point after try was good, pushing the lead to 14-6.
Barksdale made his presence felt again when he stripped Trenton Grooms on the Prexies’ first play on their ensuing possession. Steel Valley recovered the fumble on the Washington 39, putting them in position to potentially salt the game away.
Again the Prexies’ defense stepped up, forcing the Ironmen to punt from their own 48 after Barksdale was sacked on third down.
Washington’s next possession was fruitless as it ended having to punt after moving backwards to their own 25 midway through the fourth.
Steel Valley then took possession near midfield and put the game away when they moved 45 yards in seven plays. Barksdale’s third score, this one a one-yard plunge pushed the margin to 21-6 with 1:17 to go in the contest.
Steel Valley struck first after forcing the Prexies to go three-and-out on their first series. Barksdale capped the ensuing 60-yard drive with a weaving 31-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, giving the Ironmen a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.
Washington’s defense made a key stand late in the first quarter when Blaise Naraskivitch sacked Barksdale on third down. The ensuing punt gave the Prexies the ball in good field position on the Steel Valley 45.
But the Prexies gave it right back when Washington fumbled on the next play. Amir Randall recovered for Steel Valley on their own 41.
The turnovers continued as the first quarter ended when Tristan Reed intercepted a deep Barksdale throw on third and long, giving the ball back to Washington on their own 16 to begin the second quarter.
After gaining only two yards of offense in the first quarter, the Prexies finally showed some life on offense. They moved from their 16 to the Steel Valley 31 in 10 plays, nine of which were inside runs. The drive however ended on a fourth-down mishandled snap, giving the ball to the Ironmen on the 35 late in the half.
Washington’s defense struck again as Barksdale was flushed out of the pocket and hit in the process of throwing. Jahvon Woods intercepted the ball at the Ironmen 47, again giving the hosts prime field position.
Reed then found Isaac Charnik for a 15-yard gain to the Steel Valley 32, but Randall busted through and sacked Reed back to midfield on the next play. After Cayden Cook gained 18 yards on second and long, Reed heaved a pass into the end zone that Ameer Nelson nearly reeled in for a 30-yard touchdown. Nelson however could not get a foot down inbounds, making it incomplete.
But the half was not over, one second was left on the clock. On the next play, Reed scrambled and was free down the left sideline, he was drilled out of bounds near the Steel Valley 12. The Ironmen were called for a late hit, giving Washington one untimed down from the Steel Valley 6.
Steel Valley’s defense was able to shut the door when Reed was sacked by a host of Ironmen, ending the half and securing a 7-0 advantage.
Bosnic added he believes better days are ahead for his team.
“We’ll get better as we go along,” he said. “The kids played, four turnovers, costly mistakes. At this point, it’s over, this game that is. We’ll get better and better as the season goes on.”
Notes
A moment of silence was held in honor of Prexies assistant coach Ron Todd who passed away after last week’s contest before last night’s kickoff.