Washington wins sixth straight, cruises past Lincoln 45-7
It's a city-rivalry game that began 52 years ago. On Thursday night in the Class 11AAA season finale for both schools, it was all Washington as they dismantled Lincoln 45-7. The Warriors built a 38-0 second-quarter lead, and cruised the rest of the way.
It's Washington's sixth straight win, and despite losing to Roosevelt and O'Gorman earlier in the year breaking a 34-game winning streak dating back to 2015, the Warriors (7-2) looked to be primed to make another championship run, which would be its fourth straight. The all-time record for consecutive state titles is six set by West Central from 2000-2005 in Class 11A.
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"We had a learning curve we had to get over," Washington coach Chad Stadem said of the early season two-game skid. "But we knew we had the ability to do what we've done so far. These kids are winners, and they knew we had to improve on what we did. But I'm pretty happy with the direction we're headed."
Tupak Kpeayeh had another monster night, despite playing just the first half and one series in the third quarter. He rushed for 173 yards on 16 carries and scored four times, two on the ground and two from quarterback Jayden Johannsen. Kpeayeh now has 5,220 career rushing yards, just 85 short of the state record held by Vermillion's Jason Leber.
"Our line has been doing everything," Kpeayeh said. "They've been grinding so hard every day in practice. Those holes were wide open tonight."
The Warriors continued their recent march through the second half of the season. In their last six games, all wins since a loss to O'Gorman on Sept. 8, the Warriors have now outscored its opponents 253-76.
"Since that O'Gorman game, we've really been rolling," Stadem said. "Our kids really started to believe once we got going after that game, and that's half of it. We believed in them and they believed in us, and we're doing it together."
Washington limited the Patriots (2-7) to just 177 total yards, including just 66 rushing. Quarterback Tommy Thompson was 13-for-26 for 97 yards passing and one interception. He was sacked four times. Against Aberdeen Central two weeks ago, the Warriors gave up just 33 yards rushing.
"Our defensive kids have just played awesome," Stadem said. "They've been playing well, but the offense has sort of overshadowed it because they've been putting up some big numbers."
Standout Lincoln offensive lineman Grant Treiber, who has committed to play at Iowa State next year, appeared to hyper-extend his right knee in the second quarter. He spent the entire second half in street clothes and on crutches.
TURNING POINT: There was never really a chance for things to turn as Washington had the game in hand from the start. Lincoln took the opening drive and gained a first down, but punted later in the drive. On Washington's opening drive, Johannsen hit Gabe Person for 59 yards and a score, and Washington was never threatened the rest of the way.
KEY DRIVE: Leading 20-0 to start the second quarter, this one felt like it was getting out of hand. Washington's next drive proved that it was. Lincoln punted on the first play of the second quarter, pinning the Warriors on their own six-yard line. Washington drove the ball 94 yards in eight plays, and scored on a trick play when Kpeayeh took a direct snap from center, then handed it off to wide receiver Tyus Hansen, who then threw to quarterback Johannsen for the score. The touchdown made it 26-0, and the rout was on.
BY THE NUMBERS: Lincoln was overwhelmed in the first half and got down 38-0 midway through the second quarter. Lincoln's first six possessions included five punts, an interception and two first downs... Lincoln hasn't had a winning season since 2014 when they won the Class 11AAA title... Person finished the night with two catches, both touchdowns, for 74 total yards...J ohanssen finished 10-for-13 for 191 yards and four touchdown passes... Lincoln's Logan Needles had six catches for 64 yards...Washington never punted the entire game... Lincoln was just 1-for-11 on third-down conversions.
QUOTABLE: When the repetitive chant of "Let's play tennis" comes from the Lincoln student section with the Patriots down 38-0, you know it's a bad sign.
LOOKING AHEAD: Both teams will get set for the playoffs that begin on Thursday, Oct. 25. Seeding will be announced later tonight.
Follow Tom Savage on Twitter at @SavageSFSD.
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