DELAWARE – The Washington Blue Lions made the long trip up into Delaware County to take on the Hayes High School Pacers in week four football action Friday night.
It was tough going in the first half for Washington as three Blue Lion turnovers helped Hayes roll out to a 24-0 lead at the halftime.
In the end, the turnovers proved costly as the Pacers defeated the Blue Lions, 31-8.
“We had a new quarterback in there,” Washington head coach Chuck Williamson said, referring to junior Richie Burns.
“He had a day and a half of practice,” Williamson said. “That was tough. We put him in a tough spot. But, we’ll get better. We’ll have a whole week of practice and we’ll get some things in.
“We’ll come in (this morning) and watch the film and we’ll work to clean up our mistakes and get ready for St. Charles,” Williamson said.
Hayes scored first on a 7-yard run by Blake Eiland. The extra-point kick was good for a 7-0 lead with 7:57 remaining in the first quarter.
The teams then exchanged turnovers as the Pacers had an interception, but soon fumbled the ball back to the Blue Lions, recovered by Jeremy Sluder.
Hayes’ Chris Johnson then had an interception that gave the Pacers the ball at their own 31.
The Pacers soon had to punt back to Washington.
After a three and out for the Blue Lions, the Pacers connected for an 18-yard touchdown pass play. The PAT kick made it 14-0 with 8:56 to play in the second quarter.
A Blue Lion fumble, recovered by Hayes, soon led to a 27-yard field goal for the Pacers, going in front 17-0 with 4:23 to play until the half.
After another drive stalled, Blain McCormick caught a 10-yard touchdown pass that, with the PAT, gave the Pacers a 24-0 lead with 2:02 to play.
Hayes got the ball back one more time before the half, but the Blue Lion defense stiffened and held, keeping the score at 24-0.
The Blue Lions got on the board on their first possession of the second half, driving down the field until junior quarterback Richie Burns ran the ball in from the 1-yard line.
Burns ran in the two point conversion that made it 24-8 in favor of the Pacers.
On their first possession of the second half, Hayes scored on a 68-yard touchdown run, the Pacer ball-carrier breaking several tackles along the way.
The extra-point kick gave the Pacers a 31-8 lead with 5:20 to play in the third quarter.
Washington moved the ball down to the Pacers’ 2-yard line, but a bad snap resulted in a fourth turnovers on the night.
The Blue Lions, now 2-2 overall, will be back at home to take on Columbus St. Charles Friday night at 7 p.m.
