PANTHERS BATTLE LIONS IN QUARTERFINALS

Two of the Peoria area’s best football teams meet Saturday. Washington (9-2) will cross the river to match up with Peoria High (10-1) in a Class 5A state quarterfinal game. It’s the 10th straight season Washington has played in the state playoffs and is in the quarterfinal round for the second consecutive season. The Panthers are coming off an emotional 23-16 comeback win over Centralia. Peoria scored an IHSA playoff record 96 points last week against Decatur Eisenhower. Washington hasn’t allowed more than 21 points all season. The Panthers look forward to the task at hand. “We will play our same defense we’ve been playing,” Washington coach Darrell Crouch said. “It was alright so far this year. It’s going to be a matter of the personnel, (if) we can match up with them. The speed factor that those guys have is pretty big. You can’t really prepare for that until you get out there and see it first hand.” The speed of Lions’ running backs Geno Hess and Jalen James is one of the many threats Peoria High has to offer. Hess ran for 297 yards and five touchdowns last week. He uses his quickness to burst off big gains on the ground, but the blocking of the Lions offensive line could be the biggest challenge for the Panthers front seven. Washington will try to frustrate the Lions’ offensive lineman and 6-foot-3, 270-pound Division I recruit Kendrick Green, which is easier said than done. “They’re a little bit like us on our offensive line,” Crouch said. “Those guys will be rested. (Green’s) the one guy that can go both ways for them. They’re pretty good. Once you get to the Elite Eight everybody is pretty good.” Washington’s x-factor could be the play of quarterback Caleb Fisher. Fisher has proven week-in-and-week-out that he can take care of the football and make plays down field. Crouch said the defense must keep the game close to avoid putting too much pressure on the young sophomore. The Panthers’ run game is crucial to this week’s success. Washington wants to control the clock and keep the ball out of Peoria High’s possession. Washington had no problems moving the ball down field last week, but were unable to end each possession with points until late in the game. Crouch said that’s why the Panthers trailed 16-0 at one point in the game. “We moved the ball pretty well in that first half,” Crouch said. “We couldn’t finish and that can’t happen this week. They’re just too good.” Running back Mason Diederich will be key for the Panthers running game after a 178 yard performance last week. “We will find out how we match up Saturday. I feel like you have to do the things you’ve done all year to get you where you’re at,” Crouch said. “Defensively, we have to try to not get on an island where we’re one-on-one, because they definitely have some schemes where they get you over matched.” Lions coach Tim Thornton said the game will come down to turnovers. “Who ever takes better care of the ball will win,” Thornton said. “We’re hoping the run game carries us, but we’ve proven all year that we’re pretty balanced.” The Lions ran for over 700 yards on offense last week. Washington hopes to cut that in half and have longer possessions. “We would rather run the ball first if we can,” Crouch said. “Trying to eat up clock controlling the tempo will be key.” Kick off is at 7 p.m. The winner will move on to play Morris or Metamora in the Class 5A state semifinals.

PANTHERS BATTLE LIONS IN QUARTERFINALS

Photo Credit: Ron Johnson