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Washington Evening Journal
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Demons drop Panthers on Homecoming
Fast start, trick play highlights dominant Washington win
WASHINGTON — After a handful of tough losses, the Washington football team got back on track and then some in the Demons’ Homecoming night win over rival Mt. Pleasant.
The Demons and Panthers both came in desperately looking to turn the year around. Washington showed out early and often, scoring a season high in points in a 42-7 win.
“When things are going good, everything goes good,” said Demon head coach Nick Ehret. “We ran the ball really well. The defense was very stout, and we made some plays in the passing game.”
Washington got on the board early when Jayfred Espinosa caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Logan McDole, which capped off the Demons’ opening drive.
On the next drive, Washington ran the ball at will, ending with an eight-yard touchdown run by Kale Williams. The Demons led 14-0 at the break.
Mt. Pleasant’s defense started to make stops in the second quarter, and the Panthers nearly had the Demon offense off the field, forcing a 4th-and-5 at the 50-yard line. That’s when Washington pulled off the biggest play of the game.
McDole handed the ball off to Williams, who ran to his left and flipped the ball to leading receiver Mason Morgan. Morgan stepped back and launched the ball downfield, where McDole was dashing toward the end zone.
“When I saw that ball coming, I got so scared,” McDole said. “I was like, 'I can't drop this. I can't drop this.'”
And he didn’t. McDole hauled it in for a 50-yard touchdown pass, which proved to be the play that broke the game open.
Mt. Pleasant’s Payson Coleman had a big return on the ensuing kick off, and Coleman nearly made a touchdown catch for the Panthers on the next drive. Washington stopped the play, drove back down and made it 28-0 on another 4th and 5, this time a 43-yard touchdown catch by Conner Leyden.
Trailing 28-0, Mt. Pleasant did score on the first drive of the third quarter, as Payton Walker put points on the board on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line, but that was the only touchdown of the night for the visiting Panthers.
“We got better in the second half, but it's just tough,” said Mt. Pleasant head coach John Bowlin. “We've got to fight through it and get better.”
Walker rushed for 68 yards and a score in the loss, and also threw for 42.
Williams and Casen Evans each had touchdown runs in the second half. Evans also had an interception in the win.
“It's amazing, especially as a senior,” Evans said. “It doesn't get any better than this.”
It was Washington’s 13th-straight win in the rivalry. It was the Demons’ first win this year since Sept. 1.
Washington is now 2-4 on the year and 1-1 in the district. Mt. Pleasant is 0-6 and 0-1.
The Demons will host a state-ranked Davenport Assumption team next week. Mt. Pleasant will travel south to Keokuk.
