The Washington Demons took to the field last night and got the win that they needed, beating Oskaloosa 42-7 to move on to the district finals against Pella.
The Demons started the game off a little slower than they usually do, not putting up the big points in the first quarter, but the Demons were playing the first team with a winning record since Williamsburg.
Oskaloosa started with the ball and were held to a quick four and out that gave the Demons the chance to run the ball, but the Indian defense was keyed in on Alex Coker, not letting him get anywhere and forcing the Demons to look elsewhere. Washington gave the handoff to Tanner Knupp off the left side tackle, and broke through the line and the secondary to a 71 yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.
After a big kickoff return by Oskaloosa’s Nick Rutledge the Indians were set up to make a good push to score, but the Demons stopped them and made them punt again. Washington drove the length of the field before the clock ran out in the first and Knupp punched it in from four yards out to go up 14-0 after one.
Washington got the ball back in great field position in the second quarter after a Tanner Knupp interception as the Demon had half a field to get to pay dirt, and a passing attack got them there, capping it off with a eight yard touchdown pass from Daryn Seibelius to Thomas Bump to go up 21-0 early in the third. Both teams had their struggles in the second, the Demons had to punt a couple of times and the time of possession for Oskaloosa greatly outnumbered it for the Demons, and after a bad punt, Demons scored once more in the second quarter off a three yard run by Coker to make it 28-0 going into the lockroom.
In the second half Washington came back out throwing and running again and this time Coker broke an inside run, outside and scored from 10 yards out to make it 35-0 and the continuous clock was on. Oskaloosa wasn’t done though as their tricky offense caused a few troubles for the Demons all night. Rutledge grabbed a five yard pass in the flats from Jesse VanDalen, and some poor tackling by the Demons and great running by Rutledge let him escape and go 45 yards for a touchdown with no time left in the third to make the score 35-7 and stop the continuous clock. Washington would not be denied though, as they got the ball back to start the fourth quarter, and on a fourth down and long situation, Seibelius took a direct snap on a fake punt, ran the ball past the first down marker and more to give the Demons final first team drive some life, and then took it in himself from 26 yards our to make it the final 42-7.
The Demons outgained Oskaloosa 424-119 yards of total offense, and Coker did not have over 100 yards of rushing.
Demon head coach Randy Schrader said it was a good win, but this game against Pella has been circled since week two.
“We’ve been pointing at this game since week two when that game was over,” Schrader said. “I’m just being honest, I think everyone on our coaching staff has pointed this game to get another opportunity to play them.”
The Demons were led by Tanner Knupp with 96 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and 70 yards receiving on six catches. Seibelius was 10-15 for 99 yards and a touchdown and 113 yards on the ground on 12 carries and a touchdown.
Washington moves on to play Pella who was a 14-0 winner over Williamsburg. This game will be played at Pella on Friday. The Demons are playing for a chance to go to the UNI Dome and the state semi-finals. Listen to this game right here on AM and FM KCII and KCIIradio.com under radio plus with pregame at 6:30 and kickoff at 7. The one to count on for Playoff football is AM and FM KCII and KCIIradio.com.