Washington bounces Commerce
The Joplin Globe
By Monty Franks

COMMERCE, Okla. — Continuing to hold opponents scoreless during the Class A playoffs, the Washington Worriors defeated the Commerce Tigers 27-0 Saturday night in a quarterfinal game before an overflow crowd at Tiger Field.

After reaching the third round of the playoffs for the sixth straight season, coach Rick Trimble's 10th-ranked Tigers finish 9-3 on the season.

"Our hats are off to Washington," Trimble said. "They came in here and executed a very balanced attack and their defense took us out of our game."

Coach Dennis McCray's Warriors advanced to the Class A semifinals ranked fourth in the state with a perfect 13-0 record. The Warriors have not allowed a point in 12 quarters of postseason play.

Washington will face Okeene in the semifinals at a neutral site on a date and time to be determined.

Senior tailback Tyler Simmons led the Warriors ground game, accumulating 197 yards on 27 carries. The 6-3, 210-pound Simmons scored on a 35-yard touchdown run on Washington's first possession of the game. James Winchester's extra point gave Washington a 7-0 lead with 5:35 left in the first quarter.

After a scoreless second quarter, Washington took the kickoff to start the second half and marched 83 yards in seven plays to increase its lead.

Junior quarterback Tyler Hancock found senior wide receiver Casey Denton open on a 50-yard touchdown pass. Winchester missed the PAT wide left as the Warriors built a 13-0 lead with 7:53 left in the third quarter.

Hancock, 6-2, 170, scored on runs of 22 and 1 yards during the fourth quarter to close out the scoring for Washington.

The Warrior ground game generated 263 yards on 46 carries. Hancock rushed for 56 yards on 12 attempts while completing 6-of-9 passes for 94 yards and one TD.

Denton caught three passes for 72 yards to lead the Washington receiving corps.

Commerce managed just 96 yards 30 carries on the ground. Senior quarterback Daniel Walker gained 39 yards on 12 carries while James Sullivan added 28 yards on eight carrries.

Walker completed 3-of-11 passes for 36 yards with two interceptions.