Washington climbs back after setback
Yes, Charleroi dominated Washington, 64-33, on Aug. 31, and is now ranked No. 1 in the Post-Gazette’s WPIAL Class 2A rankings.
And yes, Wash High was coming off four consecutive years with undefeated regular-season records.
But don’t count the Little Prexies (3-1, 1-1) out of the 2A race just yet.
Since the loss, the defending WPIAL 2A champions, now ranked No. 5 in Class 2A, have rattled off two consecutive blowout wins against Summit Academy and Brownsville.
Though an Interstate Conference loss isn’t ideal, it has helped a young Washington team buckle down, coach Mike Bosnic said.
“There were a lot of factors that went into that game, that loss, and I think in some ways it was kind of an eye-opener for the kids. I think also, we’re getting better every week,” Bosnic said. “We had some kids that not necessarily are young, but are inexperienced. They’re talented and going to be good football players, but they just didn’t have that game experience. … I think they saw some of their mistakes on film in that Charleroi game, and I think at that point, some things kind of started clicking for them.”
This season, Washington returns three starters on defense and four on offense and had to replace running back Nick Welsh, who rushed for 2,324 yards and 24 touchdowns last year. The team is led by senior quarterback Zack Swartz, who has already thrown for 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as senior wide receiver Dan Walker, junior wide receiver Zahmere Robinson and junior running back Dylan Asbury. The Little Prexies also caught the injury bug early, with junior receiver Caleb Jackson requiring knee surgery and senior tight end Isaiah Walton week-to-week with a knee injury.
Moving forward from the Charleroi loss, Washington players have learned to prepare more thoroughly going into games, Bosnic said.
“One of [the reasons for the loss] was we didn’t prepare that week the way we needed to, so I think they see the importance now of working hard every day and working to get better every day and just preparing every week for your opponent,” Bosnic said. “I really feel like we’re getting better and better every week.”
Washington plays at California (1-3, 1-1) 7 p.m. Friday.
South Allegheny
The South Allegheny football team has had a .500 or better record only four times in the past 32 years, going back to 1986.
This year, though, things are looking up for the Gladiators. They’re off to a strong 3-1 start and just knocked off Seton LaSalle, 21-7, in a WPIAL Class 2A Three Rivers Conference game, moving to 2-0 in the conference. That victory ended a 12-game losing streak to the Rebels, the previous time South Allegheny beat Seton coming in 1988.
Seton LaSalle has struggled since dropping down to Class 2A this year, falling to 1-3, averaging 11.3 points per game on offense and giving up 24.3 points per game on defense.
South Allegheny plays at Fort Cherry 7 p.m. Friday.