Defense powers Cedar Rapids Washington to high school football victory over Marion

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Washington and Marion had never played varsity football against each other.

That changed Thursday night and the inaugural game finished in the Warriors' favor.

Class 4A third-ranked Washington defeated Marion, 26-9, in a non-district game at Kingston Stadium. The Warriors spoiled Marion’s first game at the Metro facility since the early 1990s.

The opening half was dominated by defense. The Warriors were forced to defend short fields. Marion started 4 of 6 possessions in Washington territory.

Marion managed a field goal. The Wolves drove into Washington territory on its final possession, but Jaden Harris intercepted Alex Mota to end the threat.

The Wolves started four drives in Washington territory, but just managed a 40-yard field goal with six seconds left in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.

Interestingly, Marion had a three-point lead, 5 yards of offense and just one first down in the first quarter.

Washington finally got some traction offensively with 5:55 left in the second quarter. The Warriors produced a 72-yard drive on 13 plays. Miles Thompson pushed in for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 1, giving Washington a 6-3 lead at the break.

The Warriors built a 20-3 lead with a little more than six minutes left in the fourth.

On their opening possession of the second half, Michael Blank’s 46-yard punt return gave Washington the ball at Marion’s 23. Six plays later, Reid Ortiz hit Watts McBride for a 7-yard score about midway through the third.

Jabari Dobbs plunged in from 1 yard out with 6:11 left for a three-score advantage.

Marion (0-2) answered with 73-yard scoring drive. Mota rushed for a 4-yard score to pull within 20-9 with 4:12 to go.

The Warriors (2-0) answered after recovering the onside kick. Blank was the recipient of the second 7-yard scoring strike by Ortiz.

Ortiz threw for 151 yards. McBride had seven catches for 44 yards, while Harris had 60 receiving yards.

Mota had 96 total yards, consisting of 48 yards passing and rushing. Kai Glade rushed for 55 yards for Marion.

AT KINGSTON STADIUM

MAR CRW

First Downs 11 14

Rushes-Yds 43-107 27-178

Pass Yds 48 151

Comp-Att-Int 4-13-1 16-28-0

Total Yds 155 329

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 5-1

Punts-Avg. 7-29.1 6-23.5

Penalties-Yds 6-35 6-65

Marion 3 0 0 6— 9

C.R. Washington 0 6 7 13—26

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Marion: Kai Glade 22-55, Alex Mota 14-48, Max Lovell 3-12, Jaqson Tejada 2-4, Team 2-(-12). C.R. Washington: Miles Thompson 9-46, Reid Ortiz 8-39, Jaden Harris 1-31, Romen Young 1-24, Watts McBride 3-18, Jabari Dobbs 1-14, Michael Blank 1-10, Team 3-(-4).

PASSING – Marion: Mota 4-13-1-48. C.R. Washington: Ortiz 16-27-0-151, Dobbs 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING – Marion: Trey Franck 1-33, Tejada 1-9, Glade 1-5, Keenan Diers 1-1. C.R. Washington: Harris 3-59, McBride 7-44, Thompson 2-18, Blank 2-12, Chase Mahoney 1-11, Young 1-7.

SCORING SUMMARY

MAR – FG Ethan Hangartner 40

CRW – Thompson 1 run (kick failed)

CRW – McBride 7 pass from Ortiz (Zach Novak kick)

CRW – Dobbs 1 run (Novak kick)

MAR – Mota 4 run (rush failed)

CRW – Blank 7 pass from Ortiz (kick failed)