After opening blip, Wash High dominates
CARMICHAELS – The result of the opening kickoff in Friday’s matchup between Washington and Carmichaels was surprising.
The final score was not.
Carmichaels kicked off to start the game and stunned the Little Prexies with an onside kick that was recovered by the Mikes’ Michael Stewart.
Wash High’s defense forced the Mikes to go three-and-out on a drive that netted minus-7 yards. From there, it was all Prexies, and Wash High rolled to a 45-0 win.
“That was a big play,” Prexies head coach Mike Bosnic said. “The fact that we were able to shut them down right away I think kind of gave us momentum.”
Wash High (4-0, 7-0) is one of the favorites to not only win the Class 2A Interstate Conference, but is also thought to be WPIAL championship contender. That was apparent to Carmichaels head coach Ryan Krull.
“They looked like a college team,” Krull said. “They’re enormous up front. They have skill guys who can make all the plays on the edges. They’re tough running the ball between the tackles. They have size and skill everywhere.”
Washington’s offense found the end zone the first four times it had the ball. The Prexies scored first with a drive capped by a one-yard run from quarterback Zach Swartz. Swartz finished the night 6 for 12 passing with 130 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Washington struck again on its next possession. After a 57-yard punt return by Caleb Jackson put the Prexies on the Carmichaels 12-yard line, Tayshawn Levy did the rest with a 12-yard run to put the Prexies up by 13. It was Levy’s first game back after a collarbone injury, and he delivered, running for 102 yards on six carries.
Jackson had another return, this one for 40 yards, that set Washington up on the Mikes’ 28. The possession ended three plays later on a 15-yard run by Swartz.
Swartz got it done through the air on Wash High’s next possession, hitting Mike Allen from 37 yards. The extra point gave Wash High a 26-0 lead, putting the game out of reach. Later in the quarter, Allen recovered a fumble and ran it in from 15 yards to add to the onslaught.
The Prexies’ first-half dominance was also apparent in the total yardage between the two teams. Wash High won that battle, 258-72.
“I thought we played well tonight, especially defensively,” Bosnic said.
One of Wash High’s biggest issues were penalties. The Prexies were guilty of 11 flags that totaled 80 yards. Bosnic said this wasn’t an isolated occurrence.
“They have been (a problem) the whole year. It’s something that we definitely have to clean up,” he said.
Washington scored two more touchdowns in the second half while keeping the shutout intact.
Wash High will host Beth Center next week, while Carmichaels (1-4, 1-5) will play at Union.
Although Krull was disappointed by the loss, he said he feels the Mikes are far ahead of where they were last year, when they started 0-6.
“Sometimes you get your butt kicked, and you have to be able to respond in a positive way,” he said.