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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Demons fall to district champs
Washington knocked off by No. 4 Mount Vernon in final home game
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WASHINGTON — The end of the 2024 home schedule for the Washington football team ended with a mountain to climb. On Friday night, the Demons were unable to scale Mount Vernon, but the team did see positives against the fourth-ranked team in Class 3A.
The Mustangs were nearly unstoppable in the first half the second-to-last district game of the season. Mount Vernon defeated Washington 42-28, scoring every one of their points in the first two quarters.
The Mustangs marched up and down the field in the first two quarters. Mount Vernon racked up 22 points in the first quarter and went up 42-7 before halftime, when a Hail Mary landed into Mustang hands as time expired.
“I didn't think we tackled very well early in the game, and then it kind of snowballed,” said Demon head coach Kelly Williams. “We've just got to be better at the tackling.”
The biggest Demon highlight of the first half was one of the most exciting defensive plays of the year. Kael Williams picked off a pass and darted 91 yards down the sideline for a pick-six. Logan McDole had two first-half interceptions.
Those interceptions gave Washington a little room to crawl back into things. The Demons scored twice in the fourth quarter, once on a short touchdown run by McDole and once on a 48-yard touchdown pass from McDole to Conner Leyden.
“I challenged them at halftime to keep fighting, never give up and play for these 12 seniors,” said Coach Williams. “They've put in a lot of time for us. A lot of blood, sweat and tears.”
Washington had a chance to cut the lead down to two scores in the final two minutes, but a goal line interception by Mount Vernon kept the game at 42-21.
McDole threw for 206 yards and one touchdown, while getting picked off three times. He led the Demons in rushing yards, with 55 and a score.
Leyden caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Jayfred Espinosa caught four passes for 74 yards.
Jude Carter led the defense with 7.5 tackles. The Demons finished the night with an impression six takeaways. McDole finished with two interceptions. Williams, Blayze Richardson and Drew Conrad each picked off a pass, and Jouse Jara recovered fumble.
The loss moves Washington back to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in district play. The Demons are one game behind Davenport Assumption, which currently holds second place with a 3-1 district record. The Demons play at winless Fort Madison this Friday, while Assumption travels To Mt. Pleasant.
