Washington must avoid trap game

WEST LIBERTY - Washington has to be aware of what is known as a trap game in its high school football season, traveling to West Liberty Friday after a big win. The Demons (who are 3-0 after a 1-2 start last year) won at then-No. 9 Iowa City Liberty in an exciting 38-31 barnburner.

West Liberty got its first win, escaping at Anamosa 22-21.

West Liberty took Washington into overtime last season at Case Field before losing 34-27.

Against Anamosa, Talen Dengler was 7 of 14 passing for 114 yards and a 44-yard touchdown. He ran for another 47 yards on 15 carries. Will Esmoil went for 103 yards rushing on 22 carries. Jahsiah Galvin caught three passes for 49 yards.

Gavin Chown had 12.5 tackles last week and Kobe Simon 9.5 for the Comets.

The Comets lost 28-6 to West Branch in the first week of the season.

West Liberty lost to Solon 48-7 in Week 2 after nearly defeating them last year in a 7-0 loss.

Washington will counter with a balanced attack behind Luke Turner, who has 489 yards passing and 357 yards rushing this season. Wyatt Stout has added 233 rushing yards on 42 carries for an average of 5.5 per rush. Ethan Hunt leads the receiving corps with 10 receptions for 213 yards. Zac Stout has seven catches for 113 yards.

The Demons have given up 49 points for an average of 16.3 a game but scored 127 for an average of 42.3.

Dillon Sanders leads the defense with 18 tackles for the season and Demons teammate Trashaun Willis has 16 including three for loss. Jarrett Bender has four TFL to lead the team.