Washington Courthouse Uses Turnovers, Passing Game To Fly Past Chillicothe
By: Joe Collins
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WASHINGTON COURTHOUSE, Ohio- It was the start of Frontier Athletic Conference play as the Washington Courthouse Blue Lions (4-2) and the Chillicothe Cavaliers (1-5). In this matchup, it was the Blue Lions who came out firing on all cylinders and eventually left with a 38-7 victory.
The Blue Lions came firing right out of the gate as quarterback Ethan Rogers-Wright threw a bubble screen to receiver Eli Lynch, who fought his way into the end zone for an eight yard touchdown to cap off a five play 53 yard drive that lasted only a minute and 25 seconds. During the game, Lynch set multiple Washington Courthouse school records, which head coach Chuck Williamson spoke about.
“He broke the career reception, receiving yard and he’s on pace to break the single season yardage record so he’s a heck of a player.” Williamson said.
In the second quarter, a 30 yard field goal by Grant Kulhwein made it 10-0. A couple long runs by Cavaliers running back Hunter Thomas would set up a 14 yard touchdown run by Kamron Smith to make it 10-7. Thomas was a workhorse for the Cavaliers’ offense as he finished with 26 carries for 186 yards.
Courthouse would answer back right before the half when a bit of an odd play would happen. Rogers-Wright would find receiver Calum Brown open over the middle, but a big hit from a defender would knock the ball loose, but Eli Lynch was right there to fall on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown to extend their lead to 16-7.
In the third quarter, the Cavaliers would be punting at their five yard line when a high snap would go over the head of the punter Tylin Scales for a safety to make it 18-7. The Blue Lions would score on the ensuing drive when Lynch would take a jet sweep 28 yards for a touchdown
In the fourth, a muffed punt by Chillicothe would set up the Blue Lions in the Cavaliers red zone, which would lead to a four yard touchdown run by Chase Sluder. Turnovers were a problem for the Cavaliers, as they turned the ball over five times during the course of the game.
Sluder was not done getting into the end zone as he would intercept a pass and return it 95 yards for a touchdown to put Washington Courthouse ahead 38-7 and start the running clock. The Blue Lions defense proved to be a deciding factor in the game as they stifled the Cavaliers offense, as Williamson talked about after the game.
“They’ve (the defense) been playing tremendous all year and we talked about how we needed to get three units working together and couldn’t get it done. So tonight I think we did and we’re excited and ready to move forward.” Williamson said.
Williamson was very impressed with all aspects of the game.
“We’ve said all along that we put three units out and that if we execute on three faucets of the game, offense, defense and special teams we could have a performance like this. Chillicothe is a good football team. They’re well coached and they have athletes all over the place so to beat them 38-7, I couldn’t be prouder of a bunch of Blue Lions than I am right now.”
Washington Courthouse has a showdown with Jackson next week while Chillicothe will travel home to take on McClain.