Proving the doubters wrong

There may not have been many who expected this.

After earning a trip to the state quarterfinals a season ago, the Washington football team lost a multitude of key contributors who made the postseason run possible.

With a new, young quarterback, and a number of question marks surrounding the team, it would have been easy to expect a bit of regression in 2015.

The Demons heard that and made it their mission this season to show everyone that there wouldn?t be a dropoff in 2015.

?I feel like we?ve always been doubted and finally, nobody doubts us,? Washington senior linebacker and wide receiver Ethan Hansen said. ?We were talking to a guy who was telling us how the media doubted us and nobody expected us to be this good. We?ve shown that we are one of the best teams in the state and we hope to defend Case (Field) and go out with a bang.?

After posting an 8-4 record (including playoffs) a year ago, the 2015 Demon football senior class has been on fire this year, winning six straight games after a season-opening loss to the No. 1 team in the state, Pella, en route to a 6-1 record.

That record, which includes a 4-0 mark in district play, has the Demons in control of their own destiny regarding a district championship. Win the next two games (at home vs. Mt. Pleasant, at Davenport Assumption), and the title is theirs.

However, even with tempered expectations around the state from media and the community, the Demons aren?t going to be content simply by winning a state title.

?(Our goal is to) win the state championship, nothing less than that,? senior defensive end Bryce Rickey said. ?It?s what we aim for every year here in Washington.?

The Demons are looking to close out a perfect home season on Friday night, the final regular season home game for the 11 Demon seniors, against an 0-7 Mt. Pleasant team.

The winless Panther record doesn?t mean it won?t be a test for the streaking Demons, as the rivalry between the teams has Washington extra focused this week.

?I?ve seen how we practiced this week,? Hansen said. ?We?ve taken it just as seriously as every other game, and we are more locked in because it?s the Panthers. Personally, it?s the game I?ve been looking for all year, and I want to get after the quarterback.?

With a rival coming in for senior night, Rickey said it couldn?t have lined up better for the Demons.

?There couldn?t be a better (opponent),? he said. ?That?s what we dream of here. We expect them to do anything they can to ruin our season. They have nothing to lose, and they are gong to do what they can to ruin our district championship.?

With the exception of a 36-point loss to Assumption, Mt. Pleasant has never been truly out of a game, losing their other six games by an average of 10 points per game, and with the team officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Panthers have nothing to lose heading into the contest.

?They are far better than their 0-7 record,? Washington football head coach Garrison Carter said. ?In all their games, they are only a touchdown or two off, and they just haven?t been able to close out games this year. We saw them in camp this season and they were arguably the best team there. They have some talented players and with a rivalry week, it?s a scary situation. We need to be prepared.?

Kickoff against the rival Panthers is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Case Field.