Homecoming to present challenge for Demons

WASHINGTON - Homecoming week always presents challenges for a high school football team, what with all the events during the week, the dance and all that it entails for teenagers.

The Washington Demons have an added challenge when facing Keokuk Friday.

Not only are the Chiefs undefeated for the first district game for both teams, but Washington saw last Friday's 42-20 win over West Liberty turn into a 2-0 forfeit due to the use of an ineligible player.

The Demons had a 4-0 record that is now 3-1.

Overcoming that loss, which will count in the state RPI system that determines playoff qualifiers, will require renewed focus from the Demons, but it is a focus that Washington head football coach James Harris said his team will be able to handle a little at a time.

'It will be something we will have to overcome,” Harris said. 'We still control our own destiny, one rep, one practice, one game at a time.”

Although it is a loss through no fault of the team, Harris said it is a character-building experience for his players.

'Persevering through adversity is what we try and teach,” Harris said. 'I believe in our players to bounce back.”

With the attention now on the field, the Demons have to play their best.

'We can't afford a letdown versus a 4-0 Keokuk on Homecoming,” Harris said. Keokuk has a quarterback who has started since he was a freshman, a new coach who has brought energy to the program and a spread offense that has been effective.

Corey Skinner, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior for the Chiefs, has completed 37 of 72 passes for 648 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. he has 293 yards rushing on 49 carries.

Senior Braylon Martinez, 5-7, 135, leads Keokuk in rushing with 379 yards on 63 carries. Junior Anthony Potratz, 6-4, 185, is the primary receiver with 10 catches for 205 yards.

The Chiefs have thrived on turnovers with 15 in four games. They have 10 interceptions, four by Colten Atterberg, and five fumble recoveries.

Senior Dylan Jeffers, 6-4, 210, is the leading Keokuk tackler with 28 total stops. He has 12 tackles for loss including two sacks. Jeffers is third in the district in total tackles and first in TFL.

Washington is third in Class 3A in scoring with a total of 169, an average of 42.25 per game. Keokuk has scored 143, an average of 35.75 per game. The Demons have given up an average of 17.25 per game, 69 total. The Chiefs have yielded 46 points total for an average of 11.5 a game.