Prexies overcome slow start, beat Steel Valley
Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter Washington receiver DeQuay Isbell sprints away from Steel Valley defender Kennedy Smith after catching a Jonathan Spina pass. Isbell scored, putting the Prexies up 12-0 in the second quarter Friday night.
Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter Steel Valley running back Eliisha Hughes is wrapped up by Washington’s Malik Wells in the first round playoff game Friday.
Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter Dequay Isbell sets the pace for a Washington-dominated first half with a return of the opening kickoff in their first-round playoff game against Steel Valley at Washington.
Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter Washington’s Jordan West is congratulated by Zach Blystone after West’s sideline sprint scored the first touchdown in the game against Steel Valley.
Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter The enthusiasm of Washington defensive coordinator Chet Henderson isn’t dampened by the cold rain as he instructs his team during a timeout in their first round playoff game against Steel Valley.
After winning an emotional victory over McGuffey last week to clinch the Interstate Conference championship and an unbeaten regular season.
Washington could have easily overlooked Steel Valley Friday night in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
That didn’t happen.
The Prexies, hosting a first-round playoff game for the fourth consecutive season, used a spirited effort from their defense and a couple of big plays from their offense en route to a 34-7 victory, advancing to the second round of the playoffs where they play Apollo-Ridge.
“We were focused,” said Washington head coach Mike Bosnic. “We were ready. Our senior class has gone something like 20-2 at home and we wanted to send them out on a good note in their last game on this field.”
The Washington offense had some troubles early on moving the chains consistently, but Bosnic leaned on a defense that sacked SV quarterback Tyron Freeman four times and also picked the senior off twice.
In addition, the Prexies kept Steel Valley running back DeWayne Murray in check. Murray came into the game with over 1,600 all-purpose yards on the season, but was held to just 52 yards on 15 carries on the night.
Thomas Cherry had 2 1/2 of the sacks and Zack Blystone had 1 1/2, with all coming on third down pass attempts. Malik Wells intercepted Freeman late in the first half as the Prexies took a 12-0 lead into the break.
“I was really happy with our defense,” said Bosnic. “Our defensive line did a great job tonight and we did a good job on Murray. He is a heck of a player, and I thought we took their speed away. The weather helped some, but our defense was pretty good tonight.”
The game was scoreless after one quarter, but the Prexies struck quickly on their first drive of the second quarter as Jordan West took an inside handoff and raced 66 yards for a touchdown.
Cherry recorded his first sack of the game on SV’s ensuing possession which forced a punt. The Prexies didn’t waste any time extending their lead.
On the very next play from scrimmage, Washington quarterback Jonathan Spina hit a streaking DeQuay Isbell for a 75-yard touchdown pass and a 12-0 lead.
Spina threw for 122 yards.
Steel Valley got on the board on its opening possession of the second half with a little help from the Prexies.
Freeman underthrew a pass on the sidelines and Isbell batted the ball into the air, where it fell into the waiting arms of Murray for a 58-yard yard gain, setting up a first-and-goal situation.
Murray punched it in from two yards out on fourth down to get the Ironmen back into the game at 12-7.
On his next chance to come up with an interception, Isbell came through, picking off Freeman on Steel Valley’s next possession and returning it inside the 10.
Spina scored on a quarterback sneak to give Washington an 18-7 lead.
From there, Washington dominated the game with its rushing attack.
Wells, who was held in check most of the night, busted loose on a 76-yard touchdown run to make it 26-7, and one possession later, West found the end zone again on a 14-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 34-7.
“Once we got them on the ropes I thought our guys did a good job of finishing tonight,” added Bosnic. “I was happy with the effort all-around.”
Washington rushed for 288 yards, with Wells gaining 130 on 17 carries and West gaining 143 on 10.
“We hung in there for a while,” said Steel Valley head coach Rodney Steele. “You can’t turn the ball over in games like this and once they got the lead they just ran behind their big boys up front in the fourth quarter. They took away our speed and with their size they wore us down in the fourth quarter.”