Prexies still a playoff threat after 27-0 victory
WAYNESBURG -The 2013 high school football season has been about perseverance for the Washington High School football team. So it had to be a relief that they entered Friday night’s contest against Waynesburg Central with their full focus on the task at hand.
The Prexies proved they could still be a threat in the Class AA playoffs starting next week by powering past the Raiders 27-0. The victory was the Prexies’ (7-2, 6-2) first defensive shutout on the season and coincidentally enough the first time the Raiders (4-5, 3-5) suffered a shutout victory in 2013.
Washington, a team that entered the season with heavy expectations and plagued by distractions, learned yesterday that they would be able to reach the postseason, after the PIAA overruled a previous WPIAL ruling that declared senior Quorteze Levy ineligible and stripping the Prexies of five victories.
Wash High and former Carmichaels head coach Mike Bosnic said it was a relief that the Prexies get a chance to play in the playoffs.
“It was big to go to practice yesterday and know we could focus on football,” Bosnic said. “I just told the kids I’m proud of the season with the adversity we have faced. We played hard tonight.”
Wash High got off to a nice start to the game, scoring on their second official offensive play of the game as running back Malik Wells broke a few tackles and scampered 58 yards to get the Prexies on the board at the 10:29 mark. Jonathan Spina added the point after to make it 7-0.
The Prexies added on when Wells plowed in from three yards out for his second touchdown. Spina missed the point after but the Prexies pushed the lead to 13-0. Waynesburg Central had two chances to get on the board as they twice had the ball inside Prexie territory but couldn’t sustain drives to put up points.
“They broke a few big plays,” said Waynesburg head coach Russ Moore. “We’re not a bad ball club at 4-5. We beat Jeannette for the first time last week. I just think it’s a matter of learning how to win.”
Wash High forced Waynesburg into a three and out to start the second half. Once they got the ball back it was another big run to add to the lead. Spina raced 69 yards down the sideline after dropping back to pass and pushed the lead to 19-0.
Washington tacked on one more touchdown late in the third quarter when Spina hit Levy for a 49-yard touchdown pass. A trick play saw Wells toss a running back option pass to Spina for the two-point conversion. After that it was up to the Prexies defense to hold Waynesburg out of the end zone and that is exactly what they did. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter and the Prexies will look ahead towards next week in its home playoff game.
“We are going to practice and play a lot better next week to win in the playoffs,” Bosnic said. “We have had a lot of distractions and that has hurt us at times. We have overcome a lot this season and I’m happy for the kids we get to play next week.”
Waynesburg on the other hand never seemed to be able to get much going. Despite getting into Wash High territory four times, Waynesburg totaled just over 100 yards of offense for the game.
“Defensively they had a few guys that were big in stopping us tonight,” said Moore. “We live off the run and it wasn’t there tonight. Hunter Cenname and John Glen Davis are tough for us and we have them coming back. They run really hard and are learning the game.”
Cenname led the Raiders, finishing the contest with a combined 79 yards on 16 touches.
The loss ended the Raiders hopes of a winning season but Waynesburg took a step forward back towards respectability under head coach Russ Moore this season.
“I am glad I came back to this community,” Moore said. I should probably have never left. I love working with these kids and look forward to next season.”
Interstate Conference
Washington 7-6-14-0 — 27
Waynesburg Central 0-0-0-0 — 0
First Quarter
W: Malik Wells 58 run (Jonathan Spina Kick)
Second Quarter
W: Wells 3 run (Kick Failed)
Third Quarter
W: Spina 69 run (Pass Failed)
W: Quorteze Levy 49 pass from Spina (Wells Pass)
Records: Washington (7-2, 6-2), Waynesburg Central (4-5, 3-5).