Turnovers doom Wash High in high-scoring shootout
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
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Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Washington’s Dan Walker jumps over Wilmington’s Marett Cameron during the PIAA Class AA semifinals game at Slippery Rock University.
Washington’s Michael Keen is emotional as Wilmington win the game in the PIAA Class AA semifinals game at Slippery Rock University on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017.
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Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Wilmington’s Ethan Winters (18) intercepts a pass intended for Washington’s Isaiah Schoonmaker during the PIAA Class AA semifinals game at Slippery Rock University Friday.
washfootball
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Washington’s Dan Walker runs the against Wilmington’s Marett Cameron during the PIAA Class AA semifinals game at Slippery Rock University Friday.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Washington’s senior lineman Myckel Brown shows his emotions as he shakes hands with Wilmington players after losing the PIAA Class AA semifinal game at Slippery Rock University Friday. The Prexies lost to the Greyhounds, 49-42, to end their undefeated season and playoff run. For full coverage of the game, see Page C1.
SLIPPERY ROCK – The game was going exactly how the Washington High School football team had been playing throughout the postseason – turning the football over at an uncanny clip, yet using its athleticism to overcome mistakes.
The turnovers finally caught up with the Prexies Friday night.
Wilmington converted four of Washington’s five turnovers into touchdowns to defeat the Prexies 49-42 in a back-and-forth PIAA Class AA semifinal game at Slippery Rock University’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
The rash of turnovers – 16 in their five postseason games and 13 in their last 12 quarters – eliminated the Prexies and ended their season. It was only the third time in Washington’s storied football history that it had scored at least 30 points and failed to win. The Prexies are 321-3 in such games.
Washington threw three interceptions, fumbled the ball on a quarterback sack and muffed a punt.
“We moved the ball all night,” said Washington head coach Mike Bosnic. “Turnovers really killed us. That’s a tough game. (Turnovers) and taking care of the ball are things we always talk about. We always want to be good at that. Unfortunately, tonight we weren’t.”
After getting the ball back tied at 21-21 with 1:49 remaining in the first half, Washington’s attempt to take a lead into halftime quickly backfired. Washington quarterback Zack Swartz’s counterpart, Robert Pontius, jumped over another Wilmington defender and in front of a post route to intercept a pass for the third turnover of the game.
Less than a minute-and-a-half later, the Greyhounds were the team with the advantage going into the break as Pontius found wide-open Bryson Verrelli for a seven-yard touchdown pass off of play action.
“The turnovers gave us good field position,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “From there, we just played the game.”
Another score after halftime by Verrelli – Wilmington (14-0) deferred to the second half after winning the coin toss – from three yards finished a six-play, 64-yard drive and gave the Greyhounds a 35-21 lead with 9:06 left in the third quarter.
But Washington, known for regrouping at halftime and playing its best football in the second half, refused to go away.
The Prexies scored on their next two possessions, a 55-yard run by Welsh and an incredible 39-yard touchdown reception from Dan Walker Jr., who trapped the ball around the back of a Wilmington defender, to tie the score at 35-35 with 3:43 left in the third quarter.
After a 52-yard touchdown run by Jack Patton put Wilmington up 42-35 less than one minute later, Swartz was intercepted by Greyhounds defensive lineman Colton Richards, who returned it to the 33-yard line of Washington on the final play of the third quarter.
Three plays and a Pontius 18-yard touchdown, where he faked a fullback dive to take it himself around the left end, and Wilmington regained its 14-point lead, 49-35.
“It’s a tough game,” Bosnic said. “It was a strange game. I just think not seeing that offense all year was hard. They’re so good at it.”
Wilmington’s Wing-T misdirection gave the Prexies problems all night.
Pontius finished with 103 yards on 15 carries and four total touchdowns, completing four of his five passes for 71 yards. Patton had 99 yards on 16 carries to lead the backfield trio, which was without Cameron Marett after a first-quarter injury.
“These guys are resilient,” Verrelli said. “They just keep fighting. Obviously, (Washington) is a great football team. We had difficulties stopping them, also. It was just a great game.”
Washington (13-1) made one last gasp as Welsh plunged over his offensive line for his fourth touchdown of the game with 3:52 remaining. He finished the game with 234 yards on 25 carries, likely leading all WPIAL classifications in rushing yards for the season.
“Nick (Welsh) played a great game. He was able to break some long runs and had some big plays. We moved the ball up and down the field. It was just a strange game.”
“It’s just been a great group,” Bosnic continued about the seniors. “I’m really proud of what they’ve accomplished.”