WASHINGTON, Ill. – The road to Normal for the Washington Community High School football team makes one more stop at home this weekend.
The Panthers will host 10-time and defending Class 6A state champion East St. Louis at Babcock Field, Saturday at 1:00 P.M. The game is being played one day after the 10th anniversary of the Washington tornado.
Head coach Darrell Crouch says the preparation for the Flyers is the same as they would for any other team on their schedule, practicing the same drills and schemes they have all season long with some tweaks.
Crouch says one of the keys to victory will be trying to hold on to the ball as long as possible.
“We’ve got to burn clock and shrink the time of that game, so we can get first downs and move the chains,” Crouch said. “Defensively, try to limit them, because they’re going to get some of their points, you’re not going to shut them down.”
Crouch says Washington will have an advantage hosting the game, saying it’s difficult to play at East St. Louis’ stadium.
The game could also bring a conclusion to Crouch’s 19-year tenure leading the Panthers, as he announced his retirement from the role at the end of the season.
“Just that fact that there’s some finality if you lose on Saturday, y’know you’re done,” Crouch said. “You win, you get to live another week and go play for state championships, that’s the big goal.”
With a win, Washington will make its third-appearance in a state championship game in football. The school won the 1985 Class 4A championship, and finished second in Class 4A in 1984.
