Holland Hall visits Warriors

In a rematch of last year’s second round playoff game, Washington will once again square off with the Dutch of Holland Hall.

“The is the second year in a row but the good news is this year it’s here at Washington,” head coach Brad Beller said.

Washington handled the Dutch last year, 35-20, and will be looking for similar results when they travel to Reed Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday night.

Holland Hall has fashioned a 9-2 season record because of their burly defense.

“Their team is built around their defense that is really, really stout,” Beller said. “They are probably the stoutest defense we’ve seen since Marlow.”

Holland Hall’s defense is built around Owen Ostroski, who’s father played for the Buffalo Bills, Beller reports.

“They move him around from nose guard to defensive end and back him up to make him look like a linebacker and then blitz him,” the coach said.

“He is one of the best defensive linemen in the state in any class,” Beller said. “Their secondary is not huge but they are very athletic and quick.”

When the Dutch are on offense they are the flying Dutch.

“They live and die by the deep ball,” Beller said.

Holland Hall will line up in both double tight end and single tight end sets all the while trying to get single coverage on one of their very fast wide receivers.

Beller reports there is no chink in the armor of the Dutch including their special teams.

“They are very solid in their special teams,” he said. “A lot of times you don’t see that in smaller schools. But their kickoff and punt coverage is very solid.

“Their kicker doesn’t get the ball into the end zone but he kicks it to the five or 10 and they cover really well,” Beller said. “They are just a very complete football team in every phase of the game.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday.

The 11-0 and No. 3 ranked Warriors earned a spot in the second round after thumping Comanche last Friday, 45-13.

Washington put a 35-spot on the Indians in the first quarter and cruised to a 45-0 lead at intermission when the starters and the majority of the rotating players took a seat and watched the freshmen take care of the entire second half.

In fact, the Warriors chewed up Comanche so bad they had scored 21 points while having run only two offensive plays.

“Any time you give up 35 points in the first quarter it’s a rough start,” Beller said.

Emit Wilk kicked off the scoring rampage in the opening frame with a 55-yard punt return to the house.

Kobe Scott stepped in front of an errant Comanche pass and took it 35 yards to pay dirt and Rhett Vaughn scored on a five yard run.

The Warriors weren’t through visiting the Comanche end zone with Devin Orr and Kobe Scott collaborating on an 87 yard pass for a score.

Alberto Aguirre scooped and scored on a 27 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and Kaden Dubois closed out the scoring with a 40 yard field goal.

“We’re playing pretty good right now,” Beller confirmed.

The first team offense only ran eight plays in the game with Layne Spaulding taking the leading rusher honors carrying the ball eight times for 34 yards.

“We threw the ball really well,” Beller said. “Devin Orr didn’t have a ton of yards because we were up so big.”

Orr was a tidy 5-7 for 132 yards and the score to Scott. Freshman signal caller Jaxon Hendrix was a perfect 4-4 for 32 yards. He completed a trio of passes to older brother Logan.

“It was a neat night for those two,” Beller said. “It was exciting to see them on the field at the same time. We did it earlier this year with the Spauldings. It makes for good memories for those families.”

On the defensive side of the ball Kelton Schultz had a big night making seven tackles including two for losses.

“He was just a one man wrecking crew on the defensive side,” Beller said. “They tried to live outside the tackles since they couldn’t run inside and he made every tackle that came his way.

Beller also mentioned the stellar defensive play of Logan Lile, Alberto Aguirre and Conner Bruce.

“They couldn’t run at all so they tried to throw,” Beller said. “Our defensive secondary did a good job of not biting on their double routes.

“They did a good job of not allowing the big plays,” he said. 

Comanche’s two scores came in the fourth period against the Washington freshmen.

“Comanche hit one 55-yard screen pass on us. Other than that we were really stout in the passing game,” he said.

Warrior notes:

Washington Head Coach Brad Beller nominated Devin Orr as the Offensive Player of the Week.

Orr was 5-7 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Conner Bruce got the nod as the Offensive Lineman of the Week. He graded out at 87 percent against Comanche.

Beller nominated Kelton Schultz as the Defensive Player of the Week.

Schultz registered seven tackles including two for losses.

Alberto Aguirre was nominated as the Defensive Lineman of the Week.

He made four stops including one for a loss and one sack.