by Brian Turrel
Under a chilly, misty rain that drifted down into H.D. Neill Stadium throughout the game, the Washington Wildcats defeated the Harmon Hawks, 29-0. Washington quarterback Alex Howard ran for three touchdowns and threw for one more in the victory.
A parade of penalties slowed the game to nearly three hours, and the wet conditions caused ball-handling issues and turnovers by both teams.
Howard’s first touchdown came with three minutes remaining in the first quarter, capping off a long drive with a three-yard run. Howard scored again with six minutes remaining in the second quarter, getting a surge from his offensive line to score from one yard out.
With two minutes remaining in the first half, defensive back Tywan Muturi made a 35-yard interception return to set up a short field touchdown drive, finished with a four-yard run by Howard, who also ran for the two-point conversion to give Washington a 20-point halftime lead.
Washington pushed its lead to 27 points on a long completion to MarKeith Grayson with 7 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Kicker Abdullahi Abdulle converted the extra point.
On the following kickoff, Washington pinned the Harmon offense back near their goal line, and then earned a safety with a sack in the end zone.
Harmon quarterback Terrance Johnson provided most of the offensive firepower for the Hawks. Johnson ran with some effectiveness in the first half, but couldn’t string together sustained drives. He opened up the passing attack in the second half, but didn’t get the protection to consistently find receivers.
Washington’s record is now 1-1. The Wildcats play next Friday at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in Kansas City, Missouri. Harmon drops to 0-2, and will play on Friday at Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
