Defeat of Demons may be good omen for West Delaware

WASHINGTON - A loss is always hard to take, but eventually overcome. Sometimes, maybe, it is easier to take if the other team goes on to be one of the best, maybe.

Washington lost to West Delaware's Hawks, 47-14, Friday in a third round playoff game Friday. Maybe the Hawks go on to a state title, and maybe that dampens some of the hurt from Friday's loss.

Last season, the Demons lost to Western Dubuque in the first round of the playoffs, 42-10. It seemed to be a bad loss when it happened, but Western Dubuque went on the become the Class 3A state champion and defeated its next three opponents by similar scores, winning by 26 points, 34 and 20.

Friday's loss was to a West Delaware team that has a top-five entry in 14 categories in Class 3A.

'We did some great things to start,” Washington head coach James Harris said. 'Then we shot ourselves in the foot with penalties, a turnover, three-and-outs. Our protection wasn't great. It's hard to sustain energy against a team that is that much bigger.”

The Hawks Jared Voss is first in touchdowns, second in rushing TDs, fourth in all-purpose yards while Christian Nunley is first in sacks and third in tackles for loss. Wyatt Voelker is first in solo tackles, fourth in tackles for loss, second in total tackles and fumble recoveries to name a few.

'We were not in sync on offense to start,” Harris said. 'Their head coach is a more-seasoned coach than me. They were the superior team that night.”

Washington has the leader in defensive TDs and interceptions for a touchdown as Ethan Zieglowsky pilfered three throws and took them in for points. Jacob Miller is the leader in punt return yards. Ethan Patterson is the leader in two-point conversions.

'That was a really good team,” Harris said. 'You are not going to play really well against a really good team.”