Washington downs Waynesburg in key Interstate Conference win
WAYNESBURG – Leave it to the defending state champions and the weatherman to wash out the logjam for second place in the Interstate Conference – the Little Prexies and a sloppy field, that is. Washington needed an eight-point win over Waynesburg Central Friday night because of the Gardner Point System and a Greensburg Central Catholic loss.
That’s exactly what happened as quagmire-like conditions at Raider Field bottled up the Waynesburg offense.
The Little Prexies sloshed their way to a 15-7 win behind the power running game of Travis Thomas.
Thomas rushed for 214 yards on a school-record 32 carries, leading a Prexies’ uncharacteristic brute running game for the win.
“That is why I am most proud of this team,” said Washington coach Guy Montecalvo. “We are known as a finesse team, and I think tonight we showed we have a power component to our running game.”
With the win, Washington (4-2, 6-3) leapfrogs, now third-place Waynesburg (4-2,6-3), in the Interstate standings, while both teams advance to the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
“The motivation was high for both teams,” said Waynesburg coach Dave Sarra. “They were the better team tonight.”
The Raiders amassed 135 yards of offense compared to Washington’s 235, while all of their six first downs came in the second quarter.
Washington gobbled up Waynesburg’s run game, as Bryan Golden rushed for 76 of the Raiders’ 89 rushing yards.
Waynesburg attempted to open the field up with its passing game. That worked just once, as senior quarterback Corey Walsh connected on 1-of-9 passes for 46 yards.
His lone completion was a strike to Kyle Aldhizer with 10:13 remaining in the second quarter, giving the Raiders a 7-0 edge.
On the Prexies’ ensuing possession, Thomas broke free for his longest and probably the wildest run of the game.
He scampered 60 yards before fumbling at the goal line while splitting Waynesburg defenders Walsh and Scott Cree. Waynesburg’s Bill Becker then retrieved the loose ball and brought it back to midfield.
Thomas redeemed his muff in a big way. He sacked Walsh, causing a Raider fumble on the ensuing possession, giving Washington the ball at the Raider 30-yard line. Three plays later Thomas rambled into the end zone on a 19-yard touchdown run.
The Prexies faked the extra-point as holder Ken Evans took the snap from center into the end zone to score the would-be, game-winning point.
“We used a little razzle-dazzle on the extra point,” Montecalvo said. “We wanted o win the psychological game.”
Washington certainly won the defensive game as well. Walsh, known for elusiveness running the ball on options and keepers, could not crack positive yardage for the game, while he also struggled throwing the ball in the muddy conditions.
“There’s not much you can do,” Sarra said. “We were limited in what we could do. Corey’s game is on the perimeter. We had to find a way, and it just wasn’t there.”
“This defense has amazed our entire coaching staff,” Montecalvo said. “They have done a marvelous job. Waynesburg is a very good football team. The field tonight limited their option game and the keepers; Walsh is adept to that.”
Instead the game belonged to Thomas, who scored his second 19-yard touchdown run of the game in the third quarter, extending the Prexies’ lead to 15-7.
Thomas again split Raider defenders Walsh and Becker, this time hanging on to the ball for the score. The play came after Thomas rushed nine consecutive times for 63 yards.
“I told him before the game (that he was going to have to run the ball more),” Montecalvo said. “He just runs like a warrior.”
Waynesburg had an opportunity to drive 80 yards with one timeout and 2:57 on the clock in the fourth quarter. But considering the team’s inability to pass, that fizzled out as the Prexies plugged the holes and corralled a desperation fourth-down reverse play.
“They didn’t want to be denied their goal, and that is to defend their title, “Montecalvo said. “It has been a tough road to hoe, but this team’s true class and character came through tonight.”