Washington ready to win district

WASHINGTON - The Washington Demons were the first team out of the playoffs last season. They made the playoffs in 2017.

The goal for the 2019 season is to return to the playoffs and advance when they get there.

Washington linebacker Trashaun Willis made third team all-state last season and led the Demons in tackles.

'For team goals I want to make sure this is a memorable season for our seniors this year,” Willis said. 'I want to make it far in the playoffs. I feel like we have a good shot to do that. We don't want to just make the playoffs, we want to do something in the playoffs. I feel like that's possible.”

Luke Turner was a sophomore quarterback in the last playoff game and was 8-of-17 passing for 166 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He ran 16 times for 80 yards.

Now he is a senior and he has learned a lot in his two years calling signals.

'I can't take foolish chances,” Turner said. 'Coach Don Miksch wants me to go to my check downs a little bit more, that way I don't take so many chances on the deep ball.”

Starting varsity at a young age, he has learned it's important not to play scared.

'Playing scared is the big thing that's different for me since when I started as a sophomore,” Turner said.

Willis will have help on defense from Jarrett Bender, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior who will play at defensive end.

'Being a leader on defense, it's a great opportunity for me,” Bender said. 'What it means to me to be singled out as a leader, to start with I'm grateful and I'm happy to do it.”

A leader helps younger players and sets an example.

'I've been playing with these guys for a long time,” Bender said. 'I know how stuff works around here. I've been trying to help out the younger kids.”

A leader sets the eaxmple with his actions.

'I test the other guys to make them better,” Bender said. 'Guys that are behind me are competing with me for my position and that makes us all better.”

Bender wants to be someone to look up to.

'I remember when I was younger I always wanted to be like, for example, Bryce Sinn. He was somebody I wanted to be like and compete like. Now I want the younger kids to be like me. I want them all to work hard and I want to set that example.”

If he accomplishes his personal goal, he will be looked up to for a long time. he had 19.5 tackles last year, six tackles for loss and two sacks.

'A personal goal is to have quite a few sacks this year, maybe even 20 sacks,” he said. 'Most of all, I want to have a great last season with my friends who I consider my brothers.”

Growing up, Willis has been told to be a leader not a follower by his parents.

'Being a leader is everything to me,” Willis said. '(Head) coach (James) Harris throws that on me. He is really big on that.”

Willis will call the plays on defense.

'There are a lot of things that I have to do. I have to make sure everyone is in the right spot. I have to make sure they are doing what they supposed to do.”

The Demons use stunts on defense and it is an important part of their scheme.

'We want to do something so that other teams just never know what to expect,” Willis said. 'We want to make it a mind game. We have to keep them guessing where we are going to be.”

Willis had two momentum-swinging, game-changing interceptions last year, but there is something he would rather do.

'I think staying back in coverage is pretty fun, but really there is nothing better than getting a tackle for a loss,” Willis said.

Turner will need to avoid tackles for loss, especially if he is looking to complete a bomb to Ethan Hunt.

Hunt led the Demons in receiving yards with 470 on 20 catches for an average of 23.6 yards per reception. He caught five TDs, the longest for 81 yards. he had another for 77.

'Mainly, I am just trying to not make as many mistakes as I made last year,” Hunt said. 'I want to catch as many balls as I can because last year I dropped a few. I did not like that. I want to improve on that.”

Getting open requires more than outrunning someone.

'Footwork is important and I have to have violent hands,” Hunt said. 'Footwork is key because you have to fake the defender and get him to go one way. And then your footwork gives you some speed. I like running deep and catching a ball.”

Hunt's team goal is, 'We want to make it all the way, of course.'

Turner and Hunt have been working together on the gridiron for a long time.

'Luke and I go back a long way and I am so proud to call him my friend. Him and me work really well together on pass routes. I think that will be a big difference in how we get things done this year.”

Last year those deep bombs came naturally in the offense off of certain reads.

'I think that will be there again this year too,” Turner said. 'That is something I will be looking for.”

Turner refuses to force anything, the experience in him showing. He doesn't see the Demons as a run team or a pass team.

'I think we will be balanced. We have two really good running backs, a great offensive line and we have a strong receiving corps,” Turner said. 'If we need to, I think will be able to throw it around. If we need to, we'll be able to run it down their throats.”

For a team to make the playoffs and become district champions, a lot has to happen the right way.

'We have to be sure we play an all-around game every time out,” Turner said. 'Solon is going to be really physical and we'll we'll have to play a clean game against them and get lucky here and there.”