At KCII, we’re continuing to count down the top 10 sports stories at Washington High School in the 2023-2024 academic year. At number four is the Demon boys’ soccer team winning a Southeast Conference championship.

By going 7-1 in conference play this spring, Washington won an outright conference title for the first time in school history and just their second overall conference championship.

The Demons had a knack for the comeback on their way to claiming the Southeast Conference, winning two matches in overtime and getting a win in five matches that were tied or they were trailing in at halftime.

The only loss came April 15th in a penalty-kick shootout to defending conference champion Fort Madison after Washington rallied from trailing 3-1 to tie the match. But the Demons got their redemption in the rematch May 8th.

A scoreless game after 70 minutes was broken by a perfect free kick from that senior Isaac Gentry tucked into the upper far-post corner, and Washington would make it stand up to beat the Bloodhounds.

In addition to beating Fort Madison to win the conference, the Demons beat the ‘Hounds 2-1 on May 20th in the Class 3A Substate 2 semifinals, with senior Angel Mata’s second-half goal taking them further into the postseason than they’ve ever been.

While Washington suffered a loss to Cedar Rapids Xavier in the substate final, they still finished the season with an overall record of 11-4, the fewest losses and second-most wins in a single season in program history.

Senior defensive back Randy Huertero was one of the leaders for the Demons and was named the Southeast Conference Co-Player of the Year, as well as an honorable mention all-state selection.

Huertero was joined by Mata, Gentry and fellow seniors Brayan Arreola and Lane Schrock in receiving all-conference honors, while seniors Bill De La Rosa and Manny Raymundo were honorable mentions.

Sophomore Edwin Cortes ended up leading the team by scoring nine goals, while Raymundo, De La Rosa and Arreola finished with eight goals each. Raymundo exits his Washington career with school records for total goals and assists in a career.

Be listening this week as the countdown of KCII’s Top 10 Washington Sports Stories from the last year continues, and find the stories as their spot on the countdown is revealed at KCIIradio.com.