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Emotional win for Demons
Washington, Fairfield honor Carson Ryan after Demon victory
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Washington students and fans were packed around the by the 50-yard line entrance to Case Field. The Demons prepared to shake hands with Fairfield after a thrilling 42-30 victory on homecoming.
But the atmosphere of that moment did not match the outcome of the game.
Jubilation was replaced by reflection. The handshake line became a moment of silence and remembrance. Players and coaches from Washington and Fairfield gathered around an orange number 80 with angel wings emanating from both sides, which was painted on the field in front of the Demons sideline.
Players shared prayers, hugs and tears as they came together to honor Washington senior Carson Ryan, who died in a hunting accident last weekend. Ryan was a member of the Demons football team.
Along with sharing a powerful moment of togetherness with Washington, the Trojans brought handwritten notes for the Demons players and staff. Fairfield is one of many schools that have expressed support for the Washington community and school district over the past week.
Washington coach Kelly Williams addressed players and students at midfield after they through their usual postgame routine of “Demon Jacks” and raising the “W” flag behind the west end zone.
“I told the student body, ‘We have to lean on each other and keep everybody close,’” Williams said. “If we stay strong and stay together, we’ll get through it. It’s not going to be easy, but together we’ll get through it.”
The mental and emotional effort for Washington to not only win the game, but take the field Friday night, started last Sunday. The entire team joined a large group of students and community members inside the Washington High School gym for a vigil for Ryan.
It was a difficult night for a group of players who just lost their teammate. But they knew the importance of coming together as a brotherhood and uniting in faith.
“We were all there as a team, and that’s super important,” junior Blaine Rees said. “We didn’t just rely on each other’s shoulders, although we did just cry and be there together as we needed to be. But we needed to rely on our faith, and we don’t force that on any kids, but a lot of kids buy into that and its a super important thing.”
The team approached the week one day at a time. Williams and his staff leaned on each other. The second-year coach received messages of support from colleagues from Arkansas, California, North Carolina and across Iowa.
Williams called the leadership from Washington’s seniors “unbelievable.” Rees again credited the team’s unwavering faith.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be one of those leaders in faith where we’re able to pray before games,” Rees said. “We’re able to lead through prayers to help cope through this harder time, and the brotherhood along with putting our reliance on God really helped us get through this game and just come together as a town and as a community.”
The game brought out the best emotions for a team that had experienced the worst over the past week. Washington quarterback Kael Williams rushed for three touchdowns, but the play he celebrated the most was a 14-yard TD run by Nic Stone to put the game away for Washington.
Stone had to come in for the play at quarterback because Williams forgot to put his mouthpiece in on the previous play, which forced him to take a snap off. After the score, Williams sprinted over to Stone for a shoulder bump.
Washington entered halftime tied 22-22 with its traditional Southeast Conference rival. Brady Wigle, Tucker Robertson and Ethan Bisgard each had rushing touchdowns for Fairfield in the opening 20 minutes. Bisgard’s score came from 50 yards out three plays after Williams threw an interception.
The game appeared to be headed for a shootout in the second half. But the Demons made other plans in the locker room.
“We were pumped up,” Rees said. “It was electric in there. We were ready to go and we weren’t content with where the score was at. We knew we should’ve been beating them, and we came out and we proved that in the second half.”
A charged up Washington kept Fairfield out of the end zone on all but one of its drives in the second half. The Trojans lone score was a Bisgard 62-yard touchdown one play after Williams’ second pick of the game.
Williams made up for the errant throws with 241 yards rushing and picked off Fairfield QB Voss Richardson in the fourth quarter to set up Stone’s game-sealing score. Clayton Evans also had an interception in the second half.
Caden Greiner and Liam Roberts both found the end zone on the ground and helped Washington finish with 406 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Roberts also had two catches for 51 yards and Stone added 16 yards through the air.
“When we did pass it a few times, Nic Stone did a really nice job and it opened up Kael doing that inside run game,” Williams said. “Caden Greiner did a heck of a job. Grant Whisler, Clayton Evans all stepped in and did a really nice job in the running back position. But just a good student body win for the Demons.”
The Demons were able to put together an emotional homecoming win. That win is rooted in the strong framework of the team, and a support system from the school and Washington community.
Washington and Fairfield and came together for something far bigger than a football game Friday night. The gestures from both teams and the wide support over the past week have brought out the best side of Washington and surrounding communities as they continue to navigate a difficult time.
Washington (3-3, 1-1 Class 3A-4) will continue district play on the road against No. 2 Solon on Friday. Fairfield (1-5, 0-2) will also be on the road for a matchup against Fort Madison. Both games will kickoff at 7:30.
