Washington defeated; Jefferson faces Hurricane in playoffs

Isaiah Fritts out-jumps Justin Miller (35) for a 98-yard touchdown reception in the second half of the Jefferson victory over Washington. David Pennock
CHARLES TOWN — Washington succumbed to Jefferson’s passing attack. And now the once-beaten Cougars will begin the West Virginia playoffs as the sixth-seeded team and play the 11th-seeded Hurricane Redskins (6-4 overall) in the first round on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in ready-and-waiting Shenandoah Junction.
With senior Sammy Roberts throwing for 413 yards and four scores, the Cougars, now 9-1, went overhead to down the Patriots, 47-13. Washington had a tenuous hold on 14th place in the playoff ratings going into the Jefferson game that was played on its home field. The 34-point loss dropped the 5-5 Patriots out of the running for a playoff berth and Wheeling Park claimed the final place in the Class AAA field.
Roberts finished the 10-game regular season with 26 TD passes, including scoring passes of 98 yards and 15 yards to Isaiah Fritts against the Patriots. Fritts had five catches. Spencer Powell also finished off the season on a high note with his four pass receptions and a 44-yard score on another Roberts throw. Opening with a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Jefferson squashed any upset thoughts that might have been circling in the Patriot camp. Washington closed to within, 23-13, by halftime on touchdown runs from Tyler Meisenzahl and Rodrigo Delgado. But then Jefferson didn’t bend again, blanking the Patriots in the second half.
Washington, featuring a mostly-run Single Wing offense, did not record any TD passes in the entire 2021 season. Jefferson intercepted one of the few passes Washington attempted.
Outscoring the land-locked Patriots, 24-0, in the second half, the Cougars readied for their first playoff game in years. In coach Craig Hunter’s nine seasons as the Jefferson head coach, this is the first year one of his team’s garnered nine wins.

Caysen Lanza (7) stiff-arms Washingtons Justin Miller (35) on a first down catch and run. David Pennock
Washington defenders D.J. Smith, Chase Crutchley and Koltin Childress were busy players, each recording at least eight tackles, but with Jefferson’s Jared Wilberger, Davis Cummings, Joey Slaughter, and Nolan Meehleib manning the front line and interior of the Cougar defense, the Washington offense became more troubled, especially after it lost a fumble on the Jefferson three-yard line.
Roberts, who was only sacked twice all year, was accorded plenty of time to pick out his sometimes lonesome targets, once finding Caysen Lanza standing by himself with another Cougar receiver and only one defender in the area. Lanza turned the short pass into a 36-yard gain.
In Hurricane, the Cougars will see a team that has played a rugged schedule that had top-seeded Huntington, Cabell Midland, George Washington, Spring Valley and South Charleston along the road. The Redskins defeated South Charleston, 28-27, but lost to the other four teams.
Should the Cougars find success against the visiting Redskins, they would face the winner of the third-seeded Bridgeport (10-0) vs.14th-seeded Morgantown (5-5) game in the second round.
The Class AAA playoffs will conclude with the crowning of a state champion in Wheeling Island Stadium.

Isaiah Fritts (8) splits the difference between Washington’s Rodrigo Delgago (3) and DJ Smith (54), while Jefferson’s Evan Tewell (3) looks on. David Pennock
Roberts and company averaged just over 41 points per game and slipped only once, losing to second-seeded Martinsburg after winning their first seven games.
- Isaiah Fritts out-jumps Justin Miller (35) for a 98-yard touchdown reception in the second half of the Jefferson victory over Washington. David Pennock
- Caysen Lanza (7) stiff-arms Washingtons Justin Miller (35) on a first down catch and run. David Pennock
- Isaiah Fritts (8) splits the difference between Washington’s Rodrigo Delgago (3) and DJ Smith (54), while Jefferson’s Evan Tewell (3) looks on. David Pennock
- Keyshawn Robinson (16) faces off with Rodrigo Delgado (3) and Chase Crutchley (41), of Washington High School. David Pennock

Keyshawn Robinson (16) faces off with Rodrigo Delgado (3) and Chase Crutchley (41), of Washington High School. David Pennock