All eyes on Thursday

Marty McFly and Doc Brown might not be there, but when the Washington football team takes the field on Thursday night, the Demons might feel as if they?ve taken a glimpse into the future.

With a senior dual-threat quarterback, strong wide receivers, multiple options out of backfield and an attacking defense, Davenport Assumption represents the kind of team Washington hopes to have in two years.

However, the Demons are in a unique situation.

Their dual-threat quarterback, Ryan Reighard, and top receiving threat, Jaivonn Willis, are both sophomores, and they have a chance to make a statement perhaps two years early.

Washington will take on Assumption at Davenport?s Brady Street Stadium on Thursday, with everything on the line. Both teams sit at 5-0 in district play, and the winner of the regular season-finale will claim the district title, which would guarantee home games in the first round (and second, if they advance) of the

playoffs.

With the teams boasting similar looks on both sides of the ball, head coach Garrison Carter said the team should be prepared heading into the game.

?It?s a very similar look to what we see in practice every day,? Carter said. ?That has its benefits, but there?s a reason we run those things defensively and offensively. We think it?s the best for the kids out there. It?s a credit to those guys because they think the same things as us. I?m confident in the plan we have.?

Offensively, the Demons have been tough to stop this season, led by a multi-threat attack.

Yet to be held under 23 points this season, and averaging 36.4 points per game, the Demon sophomore quarterback thinks the similar styles will come down to the team that execute

the best.

?With scouting, we run the same offense, so we kind of know what they are doing,? Reighard said. ?We are both similar, and it?s going to come down to who?s in shape, the tempo and how physical we are. It?s going to come down to who is the better team.?

Reighard and Willis have combined for a district-high 41 catches for 644 ards and eight touchdowns this year, and with the duo coming off a three-score performance last week against Mt. Pleasant, they are hoping to keep that momentum rolling.

?We all have to be excited and think positive,? Willis said. ?They have some athletes and I think we can stop them if we stay positive.?

Positivity will be key for the Demons, as they could be without two big pieces of the offense. Junior guard Gabe Greiner and senior running back Jack Giardino were both injured in last Friday?s game, and neither were dressed for practice on Tuesday night.

Carter said the team is preparing for neither of them being in the lineup.

?I think we?ll be without those guys (on Thursday),? Carter said. ?It?s about the ?next man in? philosophy. We are fortunate to have guys filling in who would be starters at most schools around 3A, and they?ll be capable of handling those roles.?

With a couple of key pieces figuring not to play, it could create a little more pressure on the young starters.

?It?s nerveracking, but everyone is getting ice and seeing the trainer,? Reighard said. ?I know that they have some injuries too, but we have to man up and just play football.?

Defensively, the Demons? focus will be on stopping senior quarterback Joe Argo and senior wide receiver Will Ontiveros.

Willis will be tasked on the defensive side of the ball with blanketing Ontiveros (37 catches, 554 yards, 8 touchdowns on the year), and feels he?s up for the challenge.

?I just have to stay positive,? Willis said. ?I have confidence in myself to be able to guard him, and if I come up strong in the beginning, I?ll know I can slow him down. Then I?ll stop him the entire game.?

Willis leads the district in interceptions with four on the season, and Carter said he thinks the sophomore will be able to handle the tough matchup.

?He?s answered the bell every week,? Carter said. ?It?s pretty amazing that we can put a sophomore out there and have him shut down a guy week after week. Our district is loaded with some talented receivers and Jaivonn has really answered the call. I think he?ll be able to handle it. He?s a physical kid and he?s long and athletic. A big part of this game is Jaivonn winning that matchup.?

The Demons will kick off against Assumption at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, and if they can pick up a victory and a district title, it would be the first of many goals the Demons want to see achieved.

?It would be great,? Willis said. ?I can?t really explain it, but it would make me happy and excited going into the playoffs. We want to make it to the Dome this year.?