Washington Football

9 Metro gridders named all-state

Nine football players from the Metro area have been named all-state by the Des Moines Register.

Julian Good-Jones and Connor Vincent of Cedar Rapids Washington were named to the elite all-state squad after helping the Warriors finish 13-1 and reach the Class 4A finals. Good-Jones was selected on the offensive line and Vincent was named at linebacker.

Reid Snitker of Washington made the Class 4A first team as a defensive back. Bryce Meeker of Prairie was named first team in 4A on the offensive line and JoJo Simpson of Prairie was named to the second team in 4A on the defensive line.

Three members of the Xavier Saints were honored as second-team selections in Class 3A. Tim Otting was selected on the offensive line, Jay Kortemeyer was named at running back and Michael Maher was named to the defensive line.

Eric Gustafson of Cedar Valley Christian was named second team all-state on defense in Eight-Player football.

Boyle stars as Dowling whips Warriors

CEDAR FALLS - If it's any consolation, the Dowling quarterback who destroyed the Washington Warriors Friday night has enjoyed one of the most spectacular football careers in state history.

His name is Ryan Boyle and he could be starring for the Iowa Hawkeyes someday soon.

Boyle ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as fourth-ranked Dowling whipped top-ranked Washington, 49-14, in the Class 4A state championship game in the UNI-Dome.

Dowling defended its 2013 state crown and captured its third title in five years with a dominant performance from start to finish.

"We ran into a good team," Washington Coach Paul James said in his concession speech. "There's no doubt how good Dowling is."

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Vincent twins look to tackle Dowling

Sam Vincent and his twin brother, Connor, have gone through life side-by-side ever since Sam joined the world a scant 30 minutes before his "younger" brother arrived on the scene.

They've been partners in life and partners on the Cedar Rapids Washington football team, which will be gunning for the first state title in school history when it faces Dowling in the Class 4A finals Friday night at 7:06 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

The top-ranked Warriors have a perfect 13-0 record and the fourth-ranked Maroons are 12-1, but Dowling is the defending champion and features all-state quarterback Ryan Boyle.

Washington needs to prevent Boyle from stealing the show, which is where the Vincent twins prominently enter the picture. Connor is an all-state linebacker who leads the Warriors in tackles, while Sam also plays linebacker and ranks third in stops.

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No. 1 Warriors have new role for state finals

The Washington Warriors are ranked No. 1 in the state and have a perfect 13-0 record, but they'll have a new role Friday night when they face Dowling Catholic in the championship game of the Class 4A football playoffs.

Underdogs.

"Right. Definitely," Washington Coach Paul James agreed after practice Monday. "Dowling is the defending champ.

"They've got size and they've got skill people that are excellent. They're a very good team."

The fourth-ranked Maroons (12-1) lost to West Des Moines Valley, 24-21, earlier in the season, but they have a powerful club and a tradition-rich program. Dowling has won four state titles, including two titles in the past four years.

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