Junior Blake Heiliger registered 16 tackles to lead the stingy Washington Warrior defense in their 48-14 playoff victory over Kiefer last Friday night.

Kiefer, who had been rushing for over 300 yards per game this season was held to 100 yards rushing by the first team Warrior defenders.

Jordan Kilmer and Kash Guthmueller both finished the game with nine stops apiece. Tanner Olson and Dawson Thomas both had six tackles. Tatum Wilk and Kade Babcock both had five tackles each and Babcock had an interception.

“I was really impressed with our defense,” head coach Brad Beller said. “They (Kiefer) ended up rushing for just over 200 yards but our starting defense only gave  up 100 yards rushing without Case Alexander who was out with an ankle injury.

“For us to do that without Case a lot of people had to step up. Statistically, Blake and Kash had a lot of tackles but it was because of the play of the defensive line,” the coach said.

Beller said Kale Brakefield, Hunter Sanders, Carson Elliott and Kane Lampkin controlled the line of scrimmage.

“Our program has never been one about statistics. It’s just do your job and those guys did their job to the fullest,” Beller said.

On offense it was a matter of sharing.

“It was a very complete game on offense,” Beller said. “We spread the wealth with eight guys rushing the ball and six guys with receptions.”

As it was on defense, the offensive line controlled the game.

Kingston Stringer, Wyatt Phillips, Lane Taylor, Sam Cantrell and Trip Wilson got the credit from their head coach for taking control of the line of scrimmage.

“When our offensive line takes control, we have success on offense,” the coach confirmed.

That offensive line opened up 225 yards of rushing for the Warriors.

Creed Barrett was 12-15 passing for 219 yards.

Barrett opened the scoring with a 72 yard pass to Mason Singletary.

That touchdown just opened the flood gates for the Warriors in the opening period.

Barrett hooked up with Nate Roberts for a 31 yard touchdown followed by a one yard plunge by Hudson Howard.

To close out the first period scoring barrage, Barrett found Singletary again for 19 yards and a score.

Kade Babcock lugged the pigskin in from 14 yards out in the second quarter. Lucas Witcher scored the final two Washington touchdowns from four yards out in the third period and from nine yards out in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors play in the state semifinals Friday night at Harrah against 12-0 Metro Christian.

The Patriots run a spread offense and have a dandy signal caller.

“They line up in a one back set or a no back set and like always they have a very good trigger man,” Beller said. “He’s very accurate and always in full command of the offense.”

Beller reports the Patriot receivers are quick and shifty.

“They make plays in space,” the coach said. “But the heart of their team is their offensive line. They are very strong and athletic. They are not as big as Kiefer but very athletic.”

On defense Metro Christian bases out of a 3-4.

“But you can hardly call it a 3-4 since they are so multiple. They show a lot of different front and set to try to get you confused. Their strong suit is their front seven on defense,” Beller said.