Beller: Racer game good experience

Being that it’s 2020 and the bizarre year it has been, instead of playing a district game at Holdenville last Friday night the Warriors visited Class 4A No. 4 Newcastle.

Washington trailed 28-16 at the end of three periods and had two drives fizzle out inside the 10 and five yard lines that could have even given the Warriors a lead.

But the Racers scored three touchdowns down the stretch to pin a 49-16 loss on the Warriors.

Chase Allison capped a 14 play drive in the first quarter on a two yard scoring burst.

“It was a great drive,” head coach Brad Beller said.

Washington’s next points came via a safety when a bad snap on a Racer punt ended in two Warrior points.

Quarterback Emitt Wilk threw a 60-yard touchdown strike to Luke Hendrix in the third quarter to close out the Warriors’ scoring.

Wilk rushed the ball 13 times for 37 yards and was 12-19 passing for 174 yards and the touchdown.

Overall, Beller was proud of his team and with the exception of three big plays they pretty much played toe-to-toe with the 4A club.

“I’m very, very proud of our offensive line,” Beller said. “They had the biggest line we’ve seen since the 2017 State Championship game with Millwood.

The only blemish on the line was five holding penalties that negated four first downs. A block in the back call negated a fourth down conversion.

Beller was praising the play of Luke Steele, Tanner Winlock, Seth Tague, Caleb Bruce and Austin Smith.

“Others that played well were our quarterback Emitt Wilk,” Beller continued. “He did a great job of handling the pressure. They were really fast and very athletic. Emitt did a great job of moving the offense.”

Beller said his team did everything but eliminate the big plays.

Newcastle had a 57 yard touchdown pass, a 60 yard touchdown pass and an 83 yard run by the quarterback for a score.

“That was the difference in the game from our defense having a really stellar night,” the coach said. We had given up only 28 points through three quarters. If we can eliminate the big plays we found out we can stay on the field with a Top 10 4A team.”

The Newcastle quarterback also had a 30 yard carry.

“Other than those two long runs they only had about 70 yards rushing,” Beller said. “Newcastle is a complete team. They don’t have a hole. It was the best decision to go over and play them. We learned a lot about ourselves that we continue to fight when we were down.”

On the defensive side of the ball Beller praised the play of Austin Smith, Tanner Winlock, Caleb Bruce and Seth Tague in the defensive line.

“They had to play both ways against a team that was platooning,” Beller said. “Those four guys did a tremendous job and I’m very proud of them.”

Beller also praised the defensive play of Layne Spaulding at linebacker and Reece Stephens at defensive back.

“They did a great job of making plays,” the coach said. “I was pleased with the overall effort. I just wish we could have finished some drives. We got a lot to take away (from playing up). I’m glad we went over and played.”

Up next for the 7-1 and No. 1 ranked Warriors is a home date with Crooked Oak at 7 p.m. Friday.

As of press time Beller said Crooked Oak was 100 percent sure they were going to be able to play after having to cancel numerous games due to COVID-19.

“They are improved over last year,” Beller said. “They have good athletes at receiver and a big quarterback and running back.

“They want to get the ball to their playmakers out in space,” Beller said.

“Defensively, they will bring pressure and play coverage behind the pressure. They try to stop you before you get rolling,” he said.

Warrior notes:

Washington Head Coach Brad Beller nominated Seth Tague as the Offensive Lineman of the Week. 

Tague graded out at 82 percent against Newcastle.

Beller nominated Emitt Wilk as the Offensive Player of the Week.

He rushed the ball 13 times for 37 yards and was 12-19 passing for 174 yards and a touchdown.

Getting the nod as the Defensive Player of the Week was Layne Spaulding.

Spaulding had 11 tackles against the Racers.

Caleb Bruce was nominated as the Defensive Lineman of the Week for his four tackles against Newcastle.