Senior linebacker Case Alexander spearheaded a stifling Washington defense last Friday night at Perkins-Tryon with nine tackles in a 34-0 Warrior victory.

Alexander got the job done on offense as well, scoring the games’ first touchdown on a one yard plunge in the second quarter.

He plays fullback in their “heavy package”, head coach Brad Beller said.

Junior linebacker Gavin Foster registered six tackles, including two for losses and picked off a Demon pass. Sophomore linebacker Charlie Mann matched the six tackle performance, while  junior Henry Mann, senior Jaaron Gordon and sophomore Jett Stinnett all finished with four tackles. Senior Hunter  Sanders had three stops including a quarterback sack.

“Our defense dominated the first half,” Beller confirmed. “We held them to 111 total yards.”

“All four of our linebackers played great,” Beller continued. “And our defensive ends Hunter Sanders and Dom Palumbo played great on the outside forcing them to have to run between the tackles.”

It was much the same story on offense, as well.

“We were able to throw the ball pretty effectively,” Beller said of Creed Barrett’s 17-21 night tossing the pigskin around.

He found senior Clive Green twice for touchdowns, the first in the third period was for 15 yards and later in the period hit Green on a 70-yard bomb.

In the fourth quarter Barrett hooked up with senior Jefferson Hodges for a 37 yard scoring strike and then hoofed in for rushing touchdown good for 71 cross-country yards.

“Clive Green had a big night with eight receptions for 142 yards and the two touchdowns,” the coach noted.

The Warriors had a balanced offensive attack rushing for 230 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 231 yards and three touchdowns.

Beller gave credit to his young offensive line for the offensive success.

“We knew Perkins was going to blitz and our young offensive line did a great job of picking up the blitz. Even through they brought pressure, our linemen stepped up. Even when Creed had to move around in the pocket no one was in his face,” the coach confirmed.

Paving the way in the line were junior Trip Wilson, sophomore Evan Painter, junior Joseph Oakley, freshman Jackson Glover, senior Sean Boyd and senior Adam Sharp.

Up next will be a tough road trip to Murray County to square off with two-time defending 3A State Runner-up Sulphur.

Kickoff has been moved back to 7:30 p.m. due to the heat.

The ‘Dogs are always tougher than a bus stop steak.

“It’s a tough task any time, especially playing them at Sulphur,” Beller said. “They are always physical. It’ll be the same this year.

“Whoever is the most physical and most disciplined will win,” he confirmed.

The Bulldogs pinned a 28-19 loss on the Warriors at Washington last year.

Sulphur will run out of a shotgun with two backs or a one back with a tight end, Beller said of scouting their offense.

“They will base out of a 4-3 and cover two,” Beller reports of the Bulldogs’ defense.

“They do a great job of mixing in man and pressure off the man coverage,” he confirmed.

The keys to a Warrior victory?

“We can’t turn the ball over and we have to win first down defensively,” Beller said.

Warrior notes:

Washington Head Coach Brad Beller nominated Case Alexander as the Defensive Player of the Week. Alexander registered nine tackles, had one tackle for loss and had a quarterback sack.

Hunter Sanders was the nominee for Defensive Lineman of the Week for his three tackles, including one quarterback sack.

Beller nominated Creed Barrett as the Offensive Player of the Week. Barrett was 17-21 passing for 231 yards and three touchdowns and rushed nine times for 109 yards and a score.

The Offensive Lineman of the Week nominee was Evan Painter who graded out at 78 percent.