Photo Courtesy of Washington High School Football

The Washington Demons (5-3 overall, 4-1 in district) received a huge spark in the middle of their defense last week in Mount Pleasant.

Senior Jeff Knupp made his first start of the season last week against the Panthers, patrolling the outside linebacker position. In June, Knupp tore his ACL and meniscus while participating at Iowa State’s 7 on 7 camp. Despite its long recovery process, Knupp says there was no way he was missing the full football season.

“They had set a six month average for the recovery and its been about four months give or take.” Knupp said, “I just started bracing up and I feel alright.”

Doctors weren’t advising him to play yet, but allowed Knupp to decide when to return to the field. In his season debut, Knupp recorded 5.5 tackles (2 solo, 7 assisted) and helped lead Washington to a 45-7 victory over the Panthers. Knupp and 13 other Demon seniors are gearing up for their final regular season home game at Case Field on Friday night against the Davenport Assumption Knights (5-3 overall; 4-1 in district). Knupp says he is happy he gets a change to play in the game.

“It’s not only Senior Night but it’s Heroes Night, we are recognizing some of the teachers.” Knupp said, “It is going to be a huge night and I hope we get the win.”

The game itself has huge implications for playoff seeding in the district. The winner of Friday nights game between Washington and Assumption will secure the number two seed and home field advantage in the first round. Head coach Garrison Carter says he sees this matchup as the true beginning of the playoff run.

“You control your own destiny.” Carter said, “If you win this one (game), you get to host the next one (game). You get to play a three seed instead of a two seed. Those things matter a big difference.”

Washington and Davenport Assumption are set to play tomorrow evening at Case Field. You can hear all the action beginning with the Washington HyVee Pregame Show at 7 p.m. on FM 106.1 and KCIIradio.com.

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