Week 5: Washington vs. Grinnell

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Game place: Grinnell High School

WASHINGTON DEMONS

Overall record: 1-3

Last week: Fort Madison 23, Washington 19

Five things to know

1. Grinnell coach Tony Stenberg was first named interim after Brian Sauser left for Ames in August; Sauser was coach since 2018

2. Demons only average 2.7 yards per rush

3. Both teams district opener

4. Grinnell lost 21-7 to Xavier in last year’s quarterfinals

5. Always more difficult to play on the road with the travel and getting out of pregame routine

Keys to the game

1. It all boils down to the little things for Washington

2. Win the battle at the line of scrimmage on both sides of ball

3. Get run game going to help convert in the red zone

Team stats

Passing yards: 742

Rushing yards: 365

Total tackles: 2,075

Individual stats

Ethan Patterson: 43-for-92, 728 yards, 5 touchdowns, two interceptions; 57 rushes for 182 yards, 4 TDs

Jacob Miller: 11 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TDs, 11 returns, 219 yards

Ethan Zieglowsky: 9 catches, 142 yards 1 TD; 7 returns for 76 yards, two interceptions, fumble recovery, 14 tackles, 10 solo

Lucas Kroll: 9 catches for 240 yards, 3 TDs; 40 tackles, 33 solo, 5.0 tackles for loss, interception

DaShaun Westphal-Edwards: 21.5 tackles, 17 solo, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss

From the coach

Grinnell is very good, big up front and get off the ball well. If we can take out some big plays on the defensive side of the ball and find ways to score in the red zone we should be a tough team to beat.” — Nick Ehret

GRINNELL TIGERS

Overall record: 2-2

Last week: North Polk 42, Grinnell 21

Five things to know

1. Grinnell is run heavy on offense and the defensive game plan is stop the run while covering the passing game.

2. Friday is the Tigers homecoming

3. Grinnell won two previous meetings: 35-23 in 2011; 31-28 in 2010

4. Both teams lost a lot of senior starters and the inexperience has shown

5. Important game as both are looking to start 1-0 in district play and bounce back from Week 4 losses

Keys to the game

1. Win the line of scrimmage and put pressure on other team to stop the run

2. Defense has to match Washington physicality

3. Limit big plays by stopping the run

Team stats

Passing yards: 578

Rushing yards: 597

Total tackles: 160

Individual stats

Colin Gibson: 23-for-44 passing, 5 TDs, 224 yards rushing, 1 interception

Cole Johnson: 79 rushes, 357 yards 3 touchdowns,

Calvin Jaworski: 15 catches, 254 yards 2 TDs

Tryston Stark: 21.5 tackles 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery

Austin Ensminger: 18.5 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions

Jakob McGowan: 13.5 tackles, 8 solo, 6.0 tackles for loss, 5 sacks 1st in 4A

From the coach

“Washington has a really good combination of guys with speed as well as guys that are big and physical. They do a really nice job of designing plays to allow their QB to be a playmaker. Defensively they play downhill and are really physical. In order to have success, we have to be able to run the ball on offense and limit big plays on defense. Washington has a good football program that had a lot of success a year ago. I was able to watch them some last year as we had a couple common opponents, and I thought there was a chance we could play in the postseason.” — Tony Stenberg