With star QB leading way, Washington looks to peak at right time | Trib HSSN

By: Jonathan Bombulie

Earlier

Subsequent

Final 12 months, the Washington soccer crew was a case research in peaking on the improper time.

On the morning of Sept. 25, Washington was on prime of its sport: undefeated, having outscored its 5 opponents 237-40. That included blowout wins over perennial Class An influence Clairton in a nonconference matchup and Chartiers-Houston, a playoff crew, in a Century Convention conflict.

However then cracks began to develop within the dam.

It started with key accidents to playmakers Anthony Adkins and Ruben Gordon.

Then, due to covid shutdowns associated to each the Washington program and its opponents, the crew performed precisely one sport between Sept. 25 and Oct. 28. There have been two forfeit wins, a cancellation and a shutout of Charleroi earlier than a conventional rivalry matchup with McGuffey within the common season finale Oct. 29.

Washington received that sport, 41-34, however suffered extra accidents in a efficiency that wasn’t precisely sharp.

The playoffs started the next week, and Washington was rapidly bounced by New Brighton in time beyond regulation.

“Covid points each week. Seven, eight guys quarantining,” coach Mike Bosnic mentioned. “We form of obtained out of form and off observe.

“It actually stung final 12 months as a result of I believed — I knew — we had a very good soccer crew. We had labored actually arduous within the offseason, and we had issues rolling.”

This will likely be historical historical past by the point the ball is kicked for this season’s opener, after all, nevertheless it’s price rehashing for one motive.

Bosnic doesn’t need his returning gamers to overlook about the best way final season ended. Even when numerous the circumstances that led to the disappointing end have been past their management, he desires them to be decided to proper a improper.

“I believe that’s going to find out what sort of crew now we have,” Bosnic mentioned. “In the event that they’re targeted and motivated by the best way we form of let issues slip via our palms final 12 months, I believe now we have the makings of a very particular soccer crew.

“However that’s what it’s going to return right down to: our focus and our perspective and what we’re going to do after we face adversity. As a result of final 12 months, after we confronted adversity, we didn’t get the job performed.”

The largest motive for optimism in Washington is likely to be the return of star quarterback Davoun Fuse.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Rutgers recruit threw 11 landing passes in opposition to no interceptions final season and scored 12 occasions on the bottom, incomes Century Convention MVP honors. He’ll play protection in faculty, however, for now, he’s one of many greatest difference-makers beneath middle within the WPIAL.

“His mixture of dimension, velocity and athleticism, it’s one thing you don’t get to teach fairly often,” Bosnic mentioned.

Washington must substitute a handful of proficient graduated seniors, after all. Operating again Tayshwn Levy was a harmful big-play menace, Mario Griffin was the convention defensive participant of the 12 months and Cameron Carter-Inexperienced was voted the convention’s prime lineman.

However the cabinet is nowhere close to naked. Carlos Harper, a 6-2, 200-pound senior who made all convention as a kick returner final season, and Gordon, a 6-2, 160-pound junior who was an all-conference receiver, have huge playmaking potential.

Junior defensive again Zxavian Willis was an all-conference participant final 12 months as properly. Junior Zach Welsh is an explosive ballcarrier and sideline-to-sideline presence on protection.

The road will likely be led by Semaj Fuse, Davoun’s 6-3, 248-pound “little brother,” a sophomore who already has scholarship provides from Rutgers and Akron.

Phillip Patterson and Joel Rush additionally return as skilled Iinemen.

Washington hasn’t received a playoff sport in two years, and the final time that occurred was 2009-10. This crew has the expertise to finish that drought, a protracted drought by Washington’s lofty requirements.

“The final two years, we form of fell down right here,” Bosnic mentioned. “I’d hope the blokes are hungry to get again to profitable some playoffs video games.”

Washington

Coach: Mike Bosnic

2021 report: 9-1, 6-0 in Class 2A Century Convention

All-time report: 724-373-56

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.26 Monessen, 7

9.2 at Clairton, 7

9.9 at Serra Catholic, 7

9.16 Greensburg Central Catholic, 7

9.23 at Brentwood*, 7

9.30 Waynesburg*, 7

10.7 at Sto-Rox*, 7

10.14 Charleroi*, 7

10.21 at Keystone Oaks*, 7

10.28 McGuffey*, 7

*Convention sport

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Davoun Fuse

34-52, 713 yards, 11 TDs, 0 INTs

Speeding: Tayshawn Levy*

60-699, 8 TDs

Receiving: Carlos Harper

8-166, 2 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• The Century Convention had a big facelift within the offseason with Brentwood, Keystone Oaks and Sto-Rox changing Chartiers-Houston, Beth-Middle and Frazier. Washington and Sto-Rox, perennial WPIAL powers, final met in a collection of Class 2A crossover video games in 2016-17. Washington received each video games by a mixed rating of 117-36.

• Washington is fourth in all-time wins amongst lively WPIAL packages with 724, behind solely Jeannette (767), Aliquippa (756) and • Fort (754).

• Washington has received seven WPIAL championships, its most up-to-date 5 years in the past (2017) and its first 105 years in the past (1917).

• Washington performed solely two highway video games final season. It defeated Jefferson-Morgan, 60-0, and Waynesburg, 57-14. The opponents for 2 different scheduled highway contests — Beth-Middle and Frazier — forfeited.

Observe: Resulting from publishing scheduling conflicts, the preview for Century Convention crew Charleroi will seem on Trib HSSN later this week.

Jonathan Bombulie is a Tribune-Evaluate Assistant Sports activities Editor. You possibly can contact Jonathan by e mail at jbombulie@triblive.com or by way of Twitter .