Cedar Rapids Washington snaps skid, takes down Newton

CEDAR RAPIDS — The last four weeks have undoubtedly been difficult for Cedar Rapids Washington.

But Friday night at Kingston Stadium belonged to the Warriors.

Washington began its season 2-0 and was ranked as high as third in Class 4A. But the Warriors dropped four consecutive games to ranked opponents (Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Linn-Mar, Cedar Rapids Xavier and Clear Creek Amana), with the last loss coming by just a point.

“With everything the last four weeks, I couldn’t be more proud of our kids, our coaches, everybody,” said Washington Coach Maurice Blue. “It’s satisfying.”

Blue’s taste of satisfaction came as a result of a 43-23 win over Newton (5-2, 1-2) in a Class 4A District 4 game the Warriors (3-4, 1-2) essentially had to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

“This was the first game I can say we actually played a full four quarters,” Blue said. “We played our butts off for four quarters.”

Not only did the Warriors play a full four quarters, their best quarter was in fact the fourth.

Washington led 15-13 at intermission and both teams held one another in check in the third. But the Warriors broke the game open, scoring four touchdowns and 28 fourth-quarter points.

Reid Ortiz got the ball rolling in the fourth as he found Michael Blank for a 23-yard score with 11:52 left.

Ortiz completed 11 of 23 passes for 80 yards and two TDs. He also ran for 56 yards.

Newton’s Nate Lampe added a field goal with 9:48 left to make it a one-score game again at 22-16.

Miles Thompson then took a toss from Ortiz and ran it down the left side of the field, tip-toeing the sidelines for a 56-yard TD with 8:48 to go.

Washington’s Riley Martin then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Three plays later, Watts McBride scampered in from 6 yards out.

The Cardinals answered with 5:10 remaining when Zayvier Arguello found Keith Moko for an 11-yard score to make it 36-23.

But McBride added some insurance with a 2-yard touchdown, capping the scoring at 43-23.

Washington’s defense was stout all night, allowing just 201 yards of total offense, most coming in the fourth quarter with Newton in desperation mode.

The Warriors sacked Arguello six times and had 11 total tackles for loss.

“It’s just team defense, guys doing their job and running to the football,” Blue said. “We’re at our best when we’ve got 11 guys running to the ball.”

Remaining on Washington’s schedule are games against Oskaloosa and Pella. Newton will host Cedar Rapids Xavier next Friday.

“Obviously we’re not at the point we wanted to be in our season in terms of wins and losses,” Ortiz said. “But we just want to see how good we can get these last three weeks.”