Washington football swarms All-District team

Washington football put together one of the top offensive and defensive attacks in the state of Iowa this season, and some of the key contributors were honored with a selection to the 2016 All-District team.

Five Demons were named to the Class 3A, District 5 first-team list, led by senior Bryce Sinn, whose work on the defensive side of the ball helped him be named the district?s most valuable lineman.

Sinn, a defensive end for Washington, led the team in most statistical categories on that side of the ball, recording 64 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, nine sacks and four fumble recoveries.

His impact wasn?t limited to defense, as he was one of the most consistent receiving threats as a tight end, recording 16 catches for 214 yards and three touchdowns.

Sinn was one of three seniors to earn first-team honors, the next being Seth Townsend.

Townsend anchored an offensive line that was arguably one of the best in the state, while being a force on the interior of the defensive line as well.

The three-year starter finished third on the team with 42 tackles this season, with 12 of them going for a loss, and four sacks.

Offensively, he helped block for a line that averaged more than 445 yards per game and 38 points per game.

Trey Van Weelden was the other Demon senior to earn a first-team slot, coming for his work as a defensive back and a kick returner this season for Washington.

Van Weelden averaged 31 yards per return in his work as the kickoff returner for the Demons, while playing shutdown defense in the secondary.

He had 14.5 tackles this season (two for a loss) with one interception to earn the selection.

Tanner Murphy was the first of two juniors selected to this season?s all-district first team, after finishing second on the squad with 54 tackles.

Murphy also finished second on the team in sacks, with five, while posting eight tackles for a loss.

The junior also worked a solid role on offense, operating as the team?s primary blocking back, while catching four passes out of the back field for 87 yards.

Rounding out the first-team selections for the Demons was junior defensive back, wide receiver and quarterback Jaivonn Willis, who filled just about every role for Washington this year.

Through the first six weeks of the season, Willis cemented himself as one of the top receivers in the state, catching 28 passes for 462 yards and eight touchdowns, while making 10.5 tackles and picking off a pass on defense.

After week 6, Willis was ushered into duties as the team?s quarterback due to junior Ryan Reighard suffering an injury, and excelled at the new role, posting 397 yards through the air and 306 rushing yards in that span, accounting for nine scores in that stretch.

Second-team selections

Junior Ryan Reighard (QB): Reighard accounted for 1,931 yards of total offense (1,025 rushing, 906 passing) before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in practice after Week 6.

Junior Mitchell Huisenga (OL): Huisenga was a tackle, and a big part of the Demon offensive line that regularly carved holes and created opportunity for the Washington offense.

Senior John Dillon (LB): Dillon finished fourth on the team in tackles (27.5) and led the team in interceptions, grabbing three on the season.

Senior Karlton Skubal (DL): Skubal posted 27 tackles this season, with 10 tackles for a loss and three sacks, and played well when he needed to fill in on the offensive line.

Senior Aaron Vittetoe (OL): Vittetoe was another senior leader, with Townsend, on the talented offensive line, playing the guard on the right side.

All-Academic team

Jameson Bell

Jack Carter

John Dillon

Mark Engelken

Gabe Greiner

Trey Van Weelden

Aaron Vitteoe

Team awards

Team MVP: Bryce Sinn

Offensive MVP: Jaivonn Willis, Ryan Reighard

Defensive MVP: Trey Van Weelden, John Dillon

Lineman of the Year: Seth Townsend

Offensive Juice: Jack Carter

Defensive Juice: Jake Reighard

Iron Demon: Wil Marek

Coaches Award: Tanner Murphy