Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — If one thing is for sure, it’s that Washington cannot be doubted any longer.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
In a game that featured two prolific offenses — both came into the matchup scoring north of 30 points per game — the Blue Lions put on a defensive clinic on Friday.
Forcing five turnovers and pitching a shutout through three quarters, Washington’s defensive unit carried the Blue Lions to the finish line of a 24-14 victory at Chillicothe.
After eight games, the Blue Lions (7-1, 3-0 FAC) have now surrendered just 95 points all season long — 54 of which came in the team’s lone loss.
“[Defensive coordinator Trent] Williamson coaches it every day,” Washington head coach Chuck Williamson said. “He talks about turnovers and they have to have so many turnovers each practice or they do up-downs. He preaches fast and physical and they buy into it. It’s a credit to our kids. They buy into every bit of it and just do a great job. I’m so proud of them.”
While the defense held the Cavaliers at bay, Rocky Jones, true to his name, delivered the knockout punch.
After Chillicothe (6-2, 2-1 FAC) strung together 14 unanswered points and had seized all momentum, Jones bolted off a 71-yard touchdown run to produce the night’s final.
In total, the sophomore took 15 carries for 167 yards alongside the game-sealing score.
“He’s phenomenal. He’s just a phenomenal athlete,” Williamson said. “You watch the way we call some things and he just does things you can’t coach. He’s a great practice player, a great student-athlete and he does everything the right way.”
After both teams traded multiple possessions early in the game, Chillicothe made a dismal mistake deep in its own territory.
The Cavaliers coughed up the football on the eight-yard line, giving Washington field position wrapped in a bow. On the next play, quarterback Troy Thompson hit Tanner Lemaster for the game’s first score to give the Blue Lions a 7-0 lead with five seconds left in the first quarter.
Chillicothe’s next possession ended similarly when Mason Coffman picked off a pass and ran it back to the Cavaliers’ 30-yard line. Two players later, Thompson found Lemaster again, this time from 13 yards out, for a 14-0 count at the 9:32 mark in the second.
PHOTOS: Images from Washington’s win over Chillicothe
“He’s a coach out there,” Williamson said of Thompson. “He sees everything. He studies film. He’s just awesome. I applaud his unselfishness. It’s not about him and he knows that. We talked about it all week. This was a game these kids are going to remember for the rest of their lives. It was that type of game. When he looks back, he’s not going to remember how many passing yards he had. He’s going to remember if he won or lost. He got the W tonight.”
Less than five minutes later, Washington’s RJ Foose tacked on a 26-yard field goal to make it a 17-0 score at halftime.
That tally stayed intact until the fourth quarter — marking 12 straight quarters where the Blue Lions’ defense hadn’t allowed a point.
Chillicothe broke that streak, finally gracing the scoreboard with 11:43 remaining. Mason Doughty hit a streaking Tayvion Galloway for a 23-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, Chillicothe’s Myles Lewis recovered a fumble to put the football back in the hands of the Cavaliers’ offense at Washington’s 30-yard line. Five plays later, Doughty found Tre King alone in the end zone for a four-yard touchdown that made it a 17-14 game.
However, that’s when Jones took matters into his own hands.
On the very next play from scrimmage, the shifty tailback found a hole, broke through it and weaved his way down his own sideline for a 71-yard answer. The Cavaliers never recovered.
“This was a program-changer. This was the type of game that can take you from good to elite,” Williamson said. “That’s where we’re trying to get to. We want to be that team.”
Thompson finished 13-of-24 with 116 yards alongside a pair of touchdowns and an interception. Jones added his 15 carries for 167 yards and a score, Lemaster had three catches for 26 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Isaiah Haithcock hauled in three passes for 44 yards.
Doughty ended the night 22-of-43 passing for 247 yards alongside two touchdowns and three picks. Quinlan Netter led the Cavaliers in rushing with nine carries for 40 yards while Oscar Morgan added 10 totes for 33 yards. Galloway led the receiving corps with seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, and King had five receptions for 70 yards and a score.
While Chillicothe attempts to rebound against Hillsboro in Week 9, Washington now looks towards Jackson.
When the Blue Lions meet with the Ironmen, at least a share of the FAC title will be on the line.
“These guys have matured every week,” Williamson said. “We didn’t lose our heads tonight and in Week 2, we probably would’ve. So I think we’re maturing as a program and as a team. We battled through it tonight. I’m just proud of our kids.”
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