Blue Lion defenders Matthew Colflesh (13) and Kiontae Tyree (4) wrap up a London ballcarrier during the first quarter of the game on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. London defeated Washington by a score of 51-6. Also pictured for Washington is Kaden Craft (11) and Jermaine Lindsey (53).
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
Washington junior running back Andrew Young carries the ball during the first half of the game against London on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Also pictured for the Blue Lions is Miguel Utrera (44) and Gavin Coffman (12).
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
LONDON — On a beautiful evening for the opening week of high school football, The Washington Blue Lions traveled to take on the London Red Raiders. After the first quarter flew by and saw London ahead just 7-0, the Red Raiders capitalized on several Blue Lion miscues and scored 30 points in the second quarter to take a 37-0 lead into the half.
With a running clock in effect for the entire second half, London would outscore Washington 14-6 to prevail with a 51-6 victory.
The Blue Lions received the opening kickoff and were forced to punt.
London took the ball and quickly drove into the red zone, but fumbled the ball away to Washington. They would get the ball back just moments later after intercepting a pass thrown by Blue Lion senior Gavin Coffman.
With 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter, London scored from two yards out and the extra point was good to make it 7-0.
Midway through the second quarter, the Red Raiders scored on the ground again, this time a 19-yard rush. On the PAT, Washington was offsides which prompted London to go for two. The try was successful and made the score 15-0 with 6:50 left in the opening half.
On the ensuing kickoff, London was able to recover the ball deep in Blue Lion territory after Washington failed to field the ball. Two plays later, the Red Raiders scored on a seven-yard run and the PAT made it 22-0 with 6:10 to go in the half.
The Blue Lions had the ball in London territory on the next drive, but failed to convert a fourth down and gave the ball back to the home team.
On the second play of the ensuing drive, London scored on a deep pass that went for a 52-yard touchdown. They would go for two and were successful to make it 30-0 with 3:29 left in the second quarter.
With just 16 seconds remaining in the half, the Red Raiders scored on a three-yard rush and the extra point made it 37-0 which was the halftime score.
London did have an opportunity to add more points to the scoreboard in the first half as Washington fumbled the ball away on the first play of the next drive, giving London the ball at the Blue Lion 20-yard line.
The Red Raiders attempted a 37-yard field goal which hit off of the crossbar and bounced backward as time expired.
With 9:48 to go in the third quarter, London scored on a 17-yard rush and the PAT made it 44-0.
The Blue Lions got into the scoring column with seven minuted remaining in the contest on a 21-yard strike from Coffman to Isaac Hood. The PAT was blocked, keeping the score at 44-6.
The final score of the evening came on a one-yard run for London with 3:10 to go in the contest. The PAT made it 51-6, which was the final.
Statistically for Washington, they had 87 total yards of offense with 44 through the air and 43 on the ground. They were 0-9 on third down and 2-5 (40%) on fourth down. The Blue Lions lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions. They had five penalties for 33 yards.
Statistically for London, they had 330 yards of offense including 97 passing yards and 233 rushing yards. They were 6-7 (86%) on third down, turned the ball over one time (fumble lost) and had nine penalties for 45 yards.
Washington (0-1) will host Western Brown (1-0) in their home-opener next Friday night. The Broncos defeated Hillsboro 42-39 on Friday, scoring the game-winning touchdown on the last play of the game.
London (1-0) will travel to play Chillicothe (0-1) next week. The Cavaliers lost to Bloom-Carroll 38-0 on Friday.
