The season on the gridiron ended on a high note for the Washington Demon football team on Friday when they capped off a three game win streak by downing West Burlington 34-20 on the road.
As heard on KCII, the orange and black got the start they were looking for when Ethan Patterson found John Prochaska on their first offensive play and the senior in his final game raced 69 yards to the house. The Falcons (0-9) featured a mammoth of an offensive line and a bruiser of a back in Hayden Vandenberg, so moving the rock was not an issue. They capped off two first half drives with touchdowns by Vandenberg of three and 24 yards. Washington also had scores from a three yard rush by Patterson and 24 yard pass to Lucas Kroll to lead 20-14 at the break. West Burlington found the end zone halfway through the third, but missed the PAT and the 20-20 tie held serve into the fourth. That was money time for Patterson with the junior orchestrating long drives and doing damage with his feet. With six minutes left he scampered six yards to pay dirt in what proved to be the game winner. The nail in the coffin was delivered in the last minute when Javaughn Stuart, who has been hampered by injury all year, found the end zone on a one yard carry in his final career play.
Washington amassed 425 total yards compared to West Burlington’s 260. Vandenberg carried the rock 14 times for 123 yards before having to exit the game late in the third. Patterson finished 13 of 21 for 254 yards passing and 148 on the ground with four total touchdowns. Seniors Prochaska, Kroll, and Kasen Bailey each hauled in three receptions of 87, 67, and 66 yards, respectively.
Head Coach Nick Ehret was proud of his seniors. “They have had a lot of success and unfortunately they didn’t have the senior year they were looking for wins wise, but they have been tremendous kids to work with. They come to work everyday and set a great example for the underclassmen. I am sad I only get one year with them. They are a great group and will do big things the rest of the year and when they get out of school.”
Washington closes the year 4-5 and finish third in class 3A district 5 with a 3-2 league mark.
Photo Courtesy of Jill Zahs