Washington looks to get to 4A championship game

CEDAR RAPIDS – The semifinal round of the state football playoffs has never been a friend of Cedar Rapids Washington. It's been more like a much-hated enemy over the years.

When they tee it up Friday afternoon at 4:06 against Bettendorf at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, it'll mark the eighth trip to Class 4A's final four for the top-ranked Warriors. They've won this game just once.

On a positive note, head coach Paul James was around for that win in 2003. Considering this is his 39th year at Washington as either head coach, assistant coach or athletics director, he's also been around for a lot of heartbreak, though, too.

'We were in the semis four years in a row in the late 1970s and early 80s, and I think six out of eight years,” James said. 'Sometimes it was bad luck. We looked at changing our routine, but that was in the days of Wednesday, Monday, Saturday (playoff games) because there were only eight schools in each class.

'Those Wednesday, Saturday games, we lost six times. We had good teams, but we lost to Bettendorf when they had (former Iowa Hawkeye) Hap Peterson and that crew … Dubuque Hempstead was really good. There were just some good teams.”

This will be the fourth time Washington and Bettendorf have played in the postseason, with the Warriors winning the most recent matchup, 48-27, in the 2008 quarterfinals. Bett beat Wash in the 1980 and 1981 semifinals, 35-12 and 27-19, respectively.

Washington is carrying the mantle for the three public Metro schools, who have won a state football title just once, that all the way back in 1972 (Jefferson). A program that has been so successful over the years like Washington's is absolutely due to win one, right?

'You just go out and do your best, and whatever happens, happens,” James said. 'You try and be as well prepared as you can. You never know. I don't think I'd say it's our time or anything like that. You don't worry about that stuff. You prepare yourself, and see what happens.”

Statistically, Washington and Bettendorf are very similar. Both have 12-0 records and average around the same point totals offensively and defensively.

Washington has not trailed this season, its closest game an 11-pointer with Cedar Falls in the second round of the playoffs. Bettendorf went to overtime to beat Iowa City West by a point in the regular season, a team Wash beat twice by scores of 28-0 and 44-19.

'They're real physical, they're going to play four quarters, their defense is real solid,” said Washington's Isaiah Nimmers. 'It's going to be a real good game.”

'They've got some really good defensive lineman, so we've been practicing real hard this week with our o-line,” said Wash's Royal Silver. 'We just need to play physically, really. That's what it comes down to, just play physical.”

The battle up front on both sides of the ball will be pivotal. These are run-oriented clubs, with 5-foot-7 Justice O'Connor Bettendorf's top running back and Johnny Dobbs and Tavian Patrick a good thunder-lightning tailback combo for Washington.

The onus to be able to throw at least somewhat effectively will fall on quarterbacks Reid Snitker (Wash) and Cyle Cox (Bett). A lot of Washington's players play both ways, so maybe that will be telltale.

'It has been a real special thing, especially to be the fifth team here to go undefeated through the regular season,” Nimmers said. 'To get that second conference (district) championship in a row has been great. It's been a real special season.”

Defending champ West Des Moines Dowling (11-1) plays Waukee (11-1) in the other 4A semifinal, which follows the Wash-Bett game. The winners play next Friday night.

'You look at the four teams in there, and the records are a combined 46-2,” James noted. 'Stands to reason there are going to be a couple of good games.”

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