Washington School’s ground attack rolled to a decisive 42-21 victory over Pillow Academy in the Generals’ home opener Friday night at Huddleston Field, building a four-touchdown lead by halftime and keeping the Mustangs at bay with big plays in all phases.
Washington (2-0) struck first behind a punishing offensive line, marching downfield on its third possession of the opening quarter for a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jones Roberson, followed by a successful extra point for an early 7-0 advantage.
Senior running back Max Morgan led the charge, racking up yards on a series of physical drives, and scored on a 10-yard run to cap another efficient march early in the second quarter. Kicker Rohan Thakare’s extra point made it 14-0. Morgan wasn’t done, breaking away for a 34-yard touchdown run mid-second quarter to extend the margin. Thakare remained perfect on extra points, putting the Generals ahead 21-0.
Pillow Academy (0-2) answered late in the second quarter, connecting on a 19-yard touchdown pass, but Washington’s offense responded in lightning fashion. With 1:02 to play in the half, sophomore Ethan Bailey burst up the middle for a 63-yard touchdown run, widening the gap to 28-7 after another Thakare PAT as the teams headed to halftime.
Senior quarterback Tri Avis provided balance with his arm in the second half, finding junior Rance Brown for a 34-yard touchdown pass and Rodgers Ewing for a 46-yard score. Thakare’s reliable leg added two more extra points, making it 42-7 late in the third.
Pillow Academy narrowed the score with two late touchdowns, including a tipped pass-turned-score and an 11-yard catch with less than a minute remaining, but Washington’s reserves closed out the contest without threat.
The Generals’ defense was relentless early, holding the Mustangs to one first down until Pillow’s lone first-half scoring drive, and forced a key interception by junior Doty Scott in the opening quarter. William Lewis Jr. delivered impact plays on both defense and special teams, anchoring the unit alongside linebackers such as Baird Bryant and Alexander Robertson.
Washington finished with 347 rushing yards, led by Max Morgan’s 132 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries and Ethan Bailey’s 102 yards and one score on 7 attempts. Tri Avis went 7-for-13 passing for 144 yards and two touchdowns, with Rance Brown catching three passes for 68 yards and Rodgers Ewing hauling in two catches for 59 yards and a score. The General defense was led by William Lewis Jr. with 11 tackles and a sack, while Baird Bryant and Alexander Robertson combined for 15 tackles and Scott added an interception.
Scoring Summary
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WASH — Jones Roberson 1 run (Rohan Thakare kick)
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WASH — Max Morgan 10 run (Thakare kick)
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WASH — Max Morgan 34 run (Thakare kick)
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PA — 19 pass touchdown (PAT good)
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WASH — Ethan Bailey 63 run (Thakare kick)
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WASH — Rance Brown 34 pass from Tri Avis (Thakare kick)
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WASH — Rodgers Ewing 46 pass from Avis (Thakare kick)
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PA — Tip reception touchdown (PAT good)
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PA — 11 pass touchdown (PAT good)
This report was compiled with the assistance of Perplexity AI.
