Some would call it an upset, others would say it was a shocker, and then there is Washington that would call it business as usual. The state of Iowa was put on notice last night when the Demon football team opened the 2020 season with a stifling defensive performance to upend class 4A #8 Bettendorf 19-10 at Case Field.
As heard on KCII, the defenses were flexing their muscles early with both teams trading punts. Bettendorf put a decent drive together late in the first, but was stopped short on a 3rd and Goal from the one that forced a field goal. The Demons battled cramping issues all night and with some starters out on the sidelines the Bulldogs took advantage to extend a 3-0 lead to 10-0 after Tynan Numkena broke free for a 36 yard scamper into the end zone. Failing to pick up a first down in each of their first three drives, the Demons finally broke through right before half with big receiving plays from Trashaun Willis to Zac Stout and Jacob Miller that set up a five yard rushing score from Wyatt Stout. Washington trailed 10-6 at the break, but the momentum was swinging to the Orange and Black and they carried that into the third.
Turnovers were the name of the game in the final two quarters and it all started with an interception by Spencer Sotelo that set up a short field and a nine-yard rushing touchdown from Wilx Witthoft. That 12-10 lead was threatened late in the third with Bettendorf driving, but a deflection in the end zone fell into the hands of Ethan Patterson for the second pick of the half. The third Bulldog miscue was the backbreaker. With four minutes left, the cherry on top of a stifling defensive performance came when Willis picked off Numkena for the third time and trotted 30-yards to pay dirt. The Bulldogs never threatened again and the celebration was on at Case Field.
Head Coach James Harris tells KCII Sports the defense came to work.
“Our entire team did great things, but a huge congratulations to our two-deep d-line. Reece Mayer and Bryan Martin at the ends were getting after it. Thomas Bias, Zayne Laws, Noah Kleese, Kael Adam, and Robert Bennett were rotating in the inside and played exceptionally well. Then you go to our backers in Trashaun Willis and Wyatt Stout. Wyatt is one of those kids that never missed a workout in the offseason and he played at a high level. Our motto is “the magic is in the work” and they showed that. I am just so proud of all of our guys.”
Laws led the group with 12 tackles and Bennett had nine. Willis was six of 14 in his quarterback debut for 78 yards and Zac Stout caught two of those passes for 35. Wyatt Stout finished with 55 yards on the ground and the one score.
Washington starts up the season 1-0 and they look for their second monstrous win on Friday when they make a trip to Solon (0-1).