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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Golden Hawks host Demons
Washington travels north to take on county rivals
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WELLMAN — The stage is certainly set for a high-octane Week 1 clash on Friday night.
For the first time in eight years, the Washington and Mid-Prairie football teams will be lining up against each other, as the Demons hit the road to take on No. 6 (2A) Mid-Prairie.
Despite how close the two teams are, the Demons and Golden Hawks have only played twice in the last 10 years. Washington beat Mid-Prairie 49-14 in 2016, and 55-7 in 2017.
The two teams used to play more regularly, but the Golden Hawks haven’t grabbed a win in the series since 2008, when Mid-Prairie pulled out a 45-15 win.
Since that game, the Demons have won seven straight in the series. If Washington can knock off Mid-Prairie this time, it would be an early season loss for the Union area’s top-ranked team.
Washington and Mid-Prairie have one big similarity, as both teams bring back their leading rusher. In Washington’s case, Kael Williams moves to quarterback after running for a team-leading 528 yards and six touchdowns last year.
Williams was also the team’s leading returning receiver. The other Top-4 Demon pass catchers were seniors, meaning not much in terms of returning receiving yards will be in play on Friday night.
Washington does bring back three of its Top-5 tacklers this year. Williams was second, with 39-5 tackles, while junior Blaine Rees stands out as the leading returning tackler, having collected 51.5 in 2024.
Mid-Prairie will be playing its first game since the graduation of star quarterback Brady Weber, who threw for 1,751 yards, rushed for 94, and accounted for 17 offensive touchdowns last season.
The Golden Hawks, will, however, be able to rely on workhorse Hudson Ehrenfelt. The senior running back has been a monster for Mid-Prairie in recent years, and rumbled for 1,365 yards and 26 scores last season.
Mid-Prairie’s leading returning receiver is senior Kaden Koss, who caught 14 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns last year. He finished second on the team in receiving yards.
Kos was also one of the best tacklers in the entire Union area last season. He led the team with 108.5 tackles, 59 of which were solo. He and Ehrenfelt (31 tackles) are the only two Top-5 tacklers who return.
Friday night’s game is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
