Depending on which poll you use, Thursday night’s tough district game at Marlow pits them ranked No.1 or No. 3 against No. 3 or No. 4 Washington in what is a pivotal contest for the district crown.

The Outlaws are 5-0 while the Warriors are 5-1.

Kick off is set for 7 p.m.

“They are very multiple with their offensive sets that can have a tight end or even two tight ends,” Warrior Head Coach Brad Beller said.

“They keep you on your toes all game long,” the coach confirmed.

The Outlaws can run with authority.

“They run really well and that sets up their play action,” Beller said. “On defense they are very physical, well coached and disciplined. Not many have been able to run the ball on them and when they can cover with five or six, it makes for a very tough defense.”

Hudson Morgan is their top player playing receiver on offense and their Mike linebacker on defense. Their number one receiver is Boomer Brooks. He plays defensive back when the Outlaws are on defense.

“But it’s their offensive and defensive line where they make their money,” Beller said. “They are very solid.

“We’ve got to keep from turning the ball over and be able to run the ball. On defense we can’t give up the big plays through the air on their play action and be able to stop the run,” he said.

In their 55-0 route of Little Axe last Thursday night at Reed Field.

The Warriors turned up the heat defensively picking off the Indians twice. Once by Kinser Scott and Jackson Mays returned an interception seven yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Jaaron Gordon led the tackling chart with five stops.

Gavin Foster also had five stops while Case Alexander, Hunter Sanders, Lane Taylor and Adam Sharp each finished with four tackles.

Sanders had two tackles for loss while Taylor and Sharp each had one sack apiece.

On offense it was the Creed Barrett show with the sophomore signal caller throwing for five touchdowns to three different receivers.

Barrett hooked up twice with Case Alexander on pass plays of eight and 34 yards, twice with Kade Babcock on scoring plays of 35 and 26 yards and a bomb to Josiah Dickerson taking an 86 yard pass reception to the crib.

Hunter Bracksieck toted the mail to the house from 30 yards out in the third period and senior nose guard Lane Taylor held Beller to his word to bowl into the end zone from five yards out in the third stanza.

“He told me four years ago that I would let him score a touchdown on senior night of his senior year and has mentioned it for the last four years, so he got his carry last Thursday,” Beller said with a chuckle. “And he just wasn’t a big guy blasting in. He can run for his size.”

When the dust had settled, Barrett completed 8-11 passes for 241 yards and the five scores. Washington rushed the rock 29 times for 245 yards and a pair of scores.

“We got exactly what we’re looking for with 245 yard rushing and 241 passing. That’s a pretty balanced attack,” Beller said.

With 10 different players getting carries Washington was spreading the ball around.

But the Warriors broke their streak of rushing for 10 yards a pop.

“Us spreading the wealth around and throwing like that was a positive. We’ve been waiting on Creed and Kade to find their connection all year,” Beller said.

“Kade had two catches for two touchdowns and 51 yards receiving. It was a big day for him and Creed and Case Alexander, who had three receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson Mays had two receptions for 37 yards,” the coach continued.

“Us being able to throw the ball like that was something we’ve been waiting on. It  could be a springboard to the rest of the season,” Beller said.

They were just about that prolific on defense getting seven quarterback hurries and four sacks limiting Little Axe’s passing to 85 yards on 22 attempts.

They had been averaging 265 yards per game through the air. The Indians were held to 26 yards rushing on 23 attempts.

Warrior notes:

Head coach Brad Beller nominated Hunter Sanders as the Defensive Lineman of the Week. Sanders finished with four tackles and two quarterback sacks.

Nominated as the Defensive Player of the Week was Jaaron Gordon with five stops.

Trip Wilson was nominated as the Offensive Lineman of the Week, grading out at 82 percent last Thursday night.

Creed Barrett was nominated as the Offensive Player of the Week. He was 8-11 passing for 241 yards and five touchdowns.