Blue Lion sophomore Aden Osborne breaks off a long catch and run during the first series of the game at Jackson on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Washington would fall by a score of 42-0.
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
Washington junior Matthew Colflesh brings down Ironmen junior Ryan Seimetz behind the line of scrimmage during the game at Jackson on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Washington would fall by a score of 42-0.
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
Blue Lion senior Isaac Hood stiff arms a defender during the first half of the game at Jackson on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Washington would fall by a score of 42-0. Also pictured for Washington is Caleb Barton (78) and Jackson Keaton (71).
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
Washington junior running back Andrew Young (25) carries the ball during the second half of the game at Jackson on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Washington would fall by a score of 42-0.
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
JACKSON — On a beautiful first Friday night in October, the Washington Blue Lions (1-5, 1-0 FAC) made the trip down US-35 to take on the Jackson Ironmen (4-2, 1-0 FAC) in a Frontier Athletic Conference contest.
The Blue Lions had the ball in the red zone twice in the first half but turned it over both times, and added three more turnovers in the first half, finding themselves in a 21-0 deficit at halftime.
The Ironmen would outscore Washington 21-0 in the second half as well to come away with a 42-0 shut out victory.
Washington received the opening kickoff and converted an early third down on a completion from Gavin Coffman to Aden Osborne. Two plays later, Coffman found Osborne over the middle and he took the ball deep into the red zone but fumbled at the end of the long run and the Ironmen recovered.
The Blue Lion defense was able to force a punt, but then quickly faced a fourth down of their own. They elected to try a fake punt in their own territory and could not convert.
Moments later, Jackson would score on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Bodhi Wolford to Ryan Seimetz, and the PAT made it 7-0 with 5:17 to go in the first quarter.
Washington would convert a third down on a pass from Coffman to Isaac Hood to get the ball to midfield, but the drive stalled and they were forced to punt.
On the very next play, Ironmen running back Nolan Johnson broke free for an 81-yard touchdown run. The PAT made it 14-0 late in the first quarter.
Another third down conversion, this one from Coffman to Sam Pfeifer had Washington near midfield on the next drive as the opening quarter came to a close.
Coffman threw an interception on the first play of the second quarter, but it was negated due to a roughing the passer call on Jackson, giving the Blue Lions new life.
After a five-yard by Hood, Andrew Young broke off a long run to get Washington the the Ironmen 40 yard line.
The Blue Lions later faced a 4th-and-five and the pass attempt was incomplete, but an unnecessary roughness penalty on Jackson would keep the drive alive and put them just outside the red zone. Two plays later, Coffman’s pass was intercepted in the end zone to end the scoring threat.
Jackson looked to add another touchdown to their credit, but Osborne had other plans as he leapt for an interception and returned the ball into Ironmen territory.
After a completion from Coffman to Pfeifer on third down, a late hit was called on the Ironmen to put Washington inside the red zone late in the first half down just 14-0. They would fumble the ball away on the next play to give the ball right back to Jackson.
Penalties had the Ironmen backed up inside their own 15, but a screen pass on third down got them near midfield. On the next two plays, Jackson would drop back-to-back touchdowns that would have extended the lead to 21-0. On fourth-and-five, Wolford’s pass was incomplete to give the Blue Lions the ball near midfield with less and 90 seconds remaining in the half.
Coffman completed a pass to Pfeifer to start the drive, but the ball was fumbled at the end of the play and recovered by Jackson with 1:07 to go in the first half.
On the second play of their drive, Wolford found Seimetz deep for a 48-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good to make it 21-0 which was the score at the half.
The Ironmen returned the opening kick of the third quarter to the Washington 48, and Johnson scored on a 48-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage. The PAT made it 28-0 with 11:41 remaining in the third quarter.
After the Blue Lions were forced to punt, Johnson scored his third touchdown of the game, this one from 37 yards out. The PAT made it 35-0 and turned on the running clock, which would be in effect for the remainder of the contest.
The final score of the contest came late in the third quarter on a 24-yard touchdown run by Jackson’s Tucker Williams. The PAT made the score 42-0 which was the final.
Jackson (5-2, 2-0 FAC) will host Miami Trace (6-1, 2-0 FAC) next Friday night in a monumental battle for first place in the conference.
Washington (1-6, 1-1 FAC) will host Hillsboro (3-4, 1-1 FAC) for their homecoming game next Friday.
