Aug 18, 2024 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

Mike Bosnic learned early on in his tenure as head football coach at Washington that expectations will always be high, regardless of what happened the previous year.

Bosnic is entering his 16th year at the helm with an overall record of 138-34. He guided the Prexies to a WPIAL championship in 2017 and an overall record of 13-1. Bosnic began his head coaching career at Carmichaels, and had a record of 35-25 from 2003-08.

The Albert Gallatin graduate, who played collegiately for the University of Pittsburgh, guided the Prexies to a 11-2 record last season that ended in a 28-26 setback to eventual champion Beaver Falls in the semifinals of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.

Washington tied McGuffey for first place in the Century Conference with a 5-1 record. The Prexies defeated the Highlanders both times, including an 18-7 triumph in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs.

“The game against Beaver Falls was one of those games where we made some mistakes and gave up the ball too many times,” Bosnic said. “It was an uncharacteristic night for us, and it was one of those losses you can’t forget because we were so close to the WPIAL title game. In both games we lost last year, it was on wet and dreary nights, and we didn’t take care of the ball.”

Last season was an improvement from the 2022 team that “only” finished 7-5 and advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals in Class 2A, but Bosnic and his staff will have to replace some solid players, including the talented trio of Ruben Gordon, Zxavian Wills and De’Ondre Daugherty. All three will play football in college with Gordon at Ohio, Willis at Walsh University and Daugherty staying close to home at California. Gordon and Willis were key skill players for the Prexies, while Daugherty was a starting lineman. Elijah Swan was another senior that will have a position open for a newcomer.

“It was a nice group of seniors that we had last year, and they are going to be tough to replace,” Bosnic said. “We have been a little up and down lately. Some schools would have been excited about the seasons we’ve had, but it was disappointing for us.”

Washington will welcome back its starting quarterback in junior Tristan Reed, who threw for 1,381 yards and 15 touchdowns. Caleb Patton came in for an injured Reed in the Prexies’ first-round playoff victory over Ellwood City.

“Caleb came in and did some good things for us last year, especially in the Ellwood City game,” Bosnic said. “Those guys are great athletes, and we will find a way to use both of them.”

Junior guard and defensive tackle Joe Wilson returns and will anchor the line with Kar’Zell Daugherty (C/DT) and Jayden Nemeth (OT/DE). Alex Green returns at offensive guard.

Daugherty, Reed and Wilson will serve as captains. Wilson has been named to the all-conference team his first two seasons.

“Those guys will set the tone for us,” Bosnic said. “We have Jahvon Woods back at fullback and linebacker, and Cayden Cook started at linebacker. Cayden also has experience on offense.”

Trenton Grooms (RB/LB), Tyler Crawford (WR/DB/K) and Isaiah Watson (WR/DB) didn’t start last season, but Bosnic hopes they can fill the void left by last year’s top skill players.

“I’m excited about the future,” Bosnic said. “We are coming in with a lot of young guys, especially at the skill positions. I am not sure how the guys will develop, but if they progress the way they are, we could have something really special.”

Bosnic wasn’t sure if any of his returning wide receivers caught a pass last season, but for those who are keeping track, Woods had four receptions for 46 yards.

The Prexies remain in the Century Conference with Charleroi, Keystone Oaks, Sto-Rox and Waynesburg, but Brentwood and McGuffey have moved to different classifications. Carlynton and Seton LaSalle are the new teams in the conference.

Washington still plays McGuffey, as the Prexies travel to Claysville to open the season.

“It is going to be a challenge, week in and week out,” Bosnic said. “We are at McGuffey and at Steel Valley the first two weeks of the season. We also picked up South Park and Union, who have had some great seasons recently.”