Wash High silences McGuffey in victory
Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Wash High’s Dequay Isbell runs the ball in for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against McGuffey.
McGuffey’s Shaun Sanders scores a touchdown for the Highlanders during the game against Wash High.
Wash High’s Jonathan Spina looks down the field to pass during the first half of the game.
Katie Roupe/ Observer-ReporterWash High’s Jordan West is taken down by McGuffey’s defense during the first half of the game.
CLAYSVILLE – Washington’s players lifted their helmets in unison at midfield. They gathered in a circle, some hugged a smiling head coach Mike Bosnic, whose message to his team was simple – enjoy the moment.
After a week filled with distractions surrounding the rivalry game and controversial comments made by McGuffey head coach Ed Dalton at a team bonfire Thursday night, the Prexies got the last word.
Wash High mounted a comeback behind a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown by senior DeQuay Isbell in the fourth quarter to defeat the Highlanders, 27-14, in front of a capacity crowd at McGuffey Stadium Friday night.
The victory clinched the Interstate Conference title for the Prexies (8-0, 9-0) and their second undefeated regular season in the past three years. The loss cost McGuffey (6-2, 7-2) a possible home playoff game and a share of the conference title.
“I’m just so proud of our kids right now,” Wash High head coach Mike Bosnic said. “We dealt with a lot of distractions this week and a lot of emotions. It wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of how they responded. We didn’t play our best game, but they made plays when the chips were down.”
Senior running back Malik Wells finished with 100 rushing yards on 17 carries and his 18-yard touchdown run with 5:52 remaining in the fourth quarter put the game away. It was his 41-yard reception from senior quarterback Jonathan Spina on third-and-20 on the Prexies’ 37-yard line with Wash High trailing by seven points that set up the go-ahead score late in the third quater.
One play after Wells caught the pass from Spina, who was escaping the pass rush toward the sideline, junior fullback Jordan West went untouched on a counter for a 22-yard touchdown. Isbell caught the two-point conversion from Spina to give the Prexies a one-point lead late in the third quarter.
“That catch by Malik definitely brought us back,” Spina said. “We were calm. Malik always makes plays and I always know when to go to him.”
Holding their first lead since the first quarter, McGuffey started the next drive with a 14-yard run by senior James Duchi, who finished with 172 total yards, but a penalty negated a first down and two short gains forced the Highlanders to punt.
Sophomore Marcus Czulewicz’s kick was caught near the sideline by Isbell, who sped past several defenders before cutting toward midfield where he found room for a 76-yard touchdown to give Wash High the 21-14 lead.
McGuffey was penalized 11 times for 110 yards, which negated several big plays. Dalton was infuriated by several of the calls, including what he claims was a block in the back on senior Steve Clemens during Isbell’s return for a touchdown.
“I thought the game was over-officiated,” Dalton said. “That’s my pet peeve in refereeing when the sideline influences the official. We didn’t think they were better than us. It’s disappointing when you get to this place and it becomes the officials dominating the game. It’s not what it’s about. I thought it ruined the game. It’s disturbing to me that’s the way they officiate.”
After struggling to stop Duchi and quarterback Nate Whipkey in the first half, Wash High’s defense kept the duo from making big plays. The Prexies forced another three-and-out on McGuffey’s next drive before Wells burst through an opening for an 18-yard touchdown to clinch the win.
Wash High’s players awoke Friday morning with news of Dalton’s comments the night before, which included a video posted online of Dalton spelling Prexies in an anagram with less than flattering comments about the players, including, “X-what their prison gear would say.” Spina, who completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards and an 8-yard score to Isbell in the first quarter, had a few words for Dalton.
“It was disrespectful,” Spina said of Dalton’s comments. “We all know what he said. This win was for him. This is a special moment for us. We plan to go far in the playoffs and compete for the title.”
Although penalties limited McGuffey’s chances in the first half, the Highlanders’ went into halftime with the momentum. After Isbell’s touchdown catch on the Prexies’ first offensive drive, McGuffey’s defensive line disrupted Wash High’s rhythm – limiting them to just 79 total yards in the first half.
The Highlanders gained 153 in the two opening quarters – 135 of which came from Duchi – but scored just once on Whipkey’s five-yard pass to Shaun Sanders. Three personal fouls in the opening 24 minutes stalled the offense when the line was controlling the battle up front and Duchi was coming up with big plays.
On the opening possession of the second half, McGuffey stuck to the running game – eating almost eight minutes of game clock during a 15-play, 73-yard drive that Duchi capped with a one-yard touchdown run.
It was all Wash High from there.
“We’re one big family,” West said. “We didn’t point fingers at each other at halftime when things weren’t going our way. We always pick each other up and that’s what we did.”
Both teams are headed to the playoffs, but for the third straight year, Washington will host a WPIAL Class AA playoff game. Clinching the conference title and an undefeated regular season was even more gratifying while facing their rival from 10 miles away for the 20th time in school history.
“Going undefeated was very important,” Wells said. “There’s a lot of pride in our community and it always feels good to beat a rival.”