Overcoming slow offensive starts has been the theme of the Washington Demons’ (7-2 overall; 5-1 Class 3A District 5) 2015 season. As heard on KCII and KCIIRadio.com, the Demons were vying for the Class 3A District 5 championship and the right to host two rounds of the playoffs when they traveled to the Quad Cities Thursday to face the Davenport Assumption Knights (7-2 overall; 6-0 Class 3A District 5). Washington fell behind 19-0 in the first half, and couldn’t fully recover in a 33-24 setback to Assumption.
The first points of the championship were scored a mere 16 seconds into the game. Knight senior quarterback Joe Argo found Will Ontiveros for a 44-yard touchdown pass to open up the scoring. The Demons blocked the extra point, making the score 6-0 with 11:44 remaining in the first quarter. After Washington’s first offensive drive stalled, the Knights drove down the field and found the endzone with 4:30 in the first quarter. Senior running back Elijah Williams scored from six yards out, making the score 13-0 after a successful extra point attempt. Washington would move the football in their second drive of the game, but would turn it over on a fumble. Assumption capitalized on the turnover, scoring on a three-yard quarterback keeper with Argo to make the score 19-0 after another failed extra point attempt.
Washington’s offensive trouble found some solutions when Ryan Reighard found Javionn Willis on a 25-yard touchdown route, their eighth touchdown connection of the season, bringing it to within 19-7 with 7:43 remaining in the second quarter. Washington cut further into the deficit with 3:25 left in the first half. Reighard scored a nine-yard touchdown run to make the score 19-14.
The teams would carry the score into the second half. The two teams traded field position in the third quarter with the only scoring coming off a 35-yard field goal by Washington’s Anthony Torres, slicing the deficit to 19-17.
The Knights’ offense came back alive in the fourth quarter, opening up the frame with a six-yard touchdown run by Williams, pushing the lead to 26-17. Washington responded with a long touchdown pass as Reighard hooked up with Willis for a 56-yard touchdown reception, bringing the score to 26-24 with 7:27 to go in the game.
The Knights’ ensuing driving was a time consuming one, encompassing four minutes and 19 seconds of game time. The final play saw Argo find the endzone with 1:44 left, closing the scoring at 33-24.
The loss snaps Washington’s seven-game winning streak, and the Demons clinched the second best finish in Class 3A District 5.
Washington awaits the announcement of their first round opponent for Wednesday’s postseason opener at Case Field. KCII Sports will have live play-by-play coverage of the first round of the playoffs, beginning with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show at 7 p.m. on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com.