Senior running back Hudson Howard scored three rushing touchdowns and freshman quarterback Creed Barrett threw for two more to help Washington cruise to their 33rd straight victory Friday night. 

Washington led 20-7 at halftime but ended up pulling away from Purcell, 48-14 at Reed Field.

Barrett found Case Alexander over the middle for a 12 yard scoring pass and hooked up with Ohio State commit Nate Roberts for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Roberts also hauled in the two point conversion toss off the arm of Barrett.

Lucas Witcher legged the pigskin in from six yards out and Jackson Mays closed out the Warrior scoring with a 16-yard scamper.

However, it was defense that really caught the eye of head coach Brad Beller.

“As good as Purcell is at running the ball, I want to start with the defense,” Beller said. “Our defensive linemen, Kane Lampkin and Lane Taylor all did a really good job of controlling the front line and not getting driven back,” Beller said. “Then Ricky Ramirez went in and was a good change of pace. He’s quick.”

“They allowed our linebackers and safeties to make a lot of tackles. Our defense is designed that way,” the coach said. “It lets those guys run and make plays in space.”

The coach was talking about Kale Brakefield, Blake Heiliger, Jordan Kilmer, Case Alexander, Kash Guthmueller and Tanner Olson.

Brakefield led the tackling chart with 10 stops and had one tackle for loss. Guthmueller made nine tackles while Heiliger and Hunter Sanders both finished with seven stops. Olson and Tatum Wilk both had six tackles in the game with Olson coming up with a fumble recovery as well.

Beller said his offense was pretty one dimensional initially.

“We didn’t start off very balanced,” he said. “But our passing game was pretty consistent.”

Barrett finished the night 17-21 for 208 yards and the two scores.

“He did a good job of distributing the ball,” Beller said. “Mason Singletary had good back-to-back weeks receiving.

Roberts finished the night with five receptions for 87 yards.

“And there was the emergence of our two sophomore receivers in Case Alexander and Kade Babcock. They played well. Overall, we spread the wealth around,” the coach said.

Alexander had three catches while Babcock hauled in a pair of Barrett aerials for 27 yards.

“And Lucas Witcher came in and showed we have more depth at running back,” Beller concluded.

The Warriors have Friday night off and were using the bye week to heel some injuries and get ready to open district play at Dickson September 27.

“We need some time off to catch our breath and get ready for district,” Beller said.

Warrior notes:

Head coach Brad Beller nominated Creed Barrett as the Offensive Player of the Week. Barrett was 17-21 passing for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

Kingston Stringer got the nod as the Offensive Lineman of the Week grading out at 72 percent.

Nominated as the Defensive Player of the Week was Kale Brakefield for his 10 tackle night including eight solo and had one tackle for a loss.

Hunter Sanders was nominated as the Defensive Lineman of the Week. He had seven tackles including four solo stops.