Fumbled opportunities cost Washington badly in season-opening loss

Adam Kroemer
·3 min read

SOUTH BEND — The first two times Washington had the ball, they rushed deep into enemy territory before fumbles ended the each drive. The Panthers wouldn’t get a third chance.

Hammond Central broke open a tight game with a 30-point explosion in a 14-minute stretch, taking advantage of Panther turnovers to post a 30-6 win.

It was the season opener for both teams.

Overall, Washington lost four fumbles and Hammond Central took advantage, as the Wolves scored 10 points right before halftime and added three touchdowns in the third quarter.

“Early, it felt like one of those games that might go down to the wire,” Washington coach Todd Stammich. “But give them credit, they were able to get the momentum.”

The first momentum play went Washington’s way, as Torrey Wilson’s interception stopped a Hammond Central drive on the Panther 19.

Despite two sustained drives, Washington couldn’t dent the scoreboard, as lost fumbles in Wolves territory stopped both drives.

Hammond Central broke the 0-0 tie with three minutes left in the first half. After a 46-yard completion from Brandon Burney to Jordan Woods, Ahkeem Harrtington scored on a 9-yard run. After a turnover on downs, Wolves kicker Adrian Zendejas kicked a 29-yard field goal to boost the lead to 10-0 at intermission.

Hammond Central then broke it open with three touchdowns in the third quarter. Harrtington tacked on his second rushing touchdown, and Woods added a 1-yard touchdown run and a 33-yard touchdown catch.

Washington finally broke through early in the fourth quarter. After a 36-yard run from Devin Devries, quarterback Jason Dockery connected with Wilson on a 25-yard touchdown pass.

“Our kids had good attitudes and never quit. They never relented,” Stammich said. “There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Junior Ja'Quan Patton led the rushing attack for the Panthers with 94 yards on 20 carries. Devries added 61 rushing yards, 15 passing yards and 5 receiving yards.

Washington will travel to Bremen on Friday in a Northern Indiana Conference battle.

HAMMOND CENTRAL 30, WASHINGTON 6

Hammond Central

0

10

20

0

30

Washington

0

0

0

6

6

HC - Akheem Harrtington 9 run (Adrian Zendejas kick), 3:12

HC - FG Zendejas 29, 0:00

HC - Harrtington 5 run (Zendejas kick), 9:01

HC - Jordan Woods 1 run (Zendejas kick), 2:38

HC - Woods 33 pass from Brandon Burney (pass failed), 1:09

W - Torrey Wilson 25 pass from Jason Dockery (pass failed), 10:31

H. Central

Washington

First downs

11

10

Yards rushing

158

183

Yards passing

194

45

Comp.-Att.-comp..

9-15-1

3-5-0

Punts-yards

1-27

1-28

Fumbles lost

3-0

5-4

Penalties-yards

9-61

4-26

Individual Statistics

RUSHING - Hammond Central: Dashawn Woods 13-120, Akheem Harrtington 10-48, Jordan Woods 2-7, Brandon Burney 4-(-17). Washington: Ja’Quan Patton 20-94, Devin Devries 7-61, Jason Dockery 3-14, Ty’Shaun Grundy 4-7, Torrey Wilson 1-7, Tyrin Reed 1-0.

PASSING - Hammond Central: Burney 7-13-1, 156 yds., 1 TD, Jordan Woods 2-2-0, 38 yds. Washington: Dockery 2-3-0, 30 yds., 1 TD, Devries 1-2-0, 15 yds.

RECEIVING - Hammond Central: Jordan Woods 7-149, Harrtington 1-30, Dashawn Woods 1-8, Lebron Hill 1-7. Washington: Wilson 1-25, Dockery 1-15, Devries 1-5.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: IHSAA football: Fumbled opportunities cost Washington in loss at home