Aubrey Washington separates from herd, carries Legacy to victory
Through the season’s first two games, no running back on Legacy’s football team could separate himself from the herd.
After Monday’s performance by Aubrey Washington, it’s safe to say the Longhorns have found their bell-cow.
The senior ran for four touchdowns and 161 yards on just eight carries as Legacy rolled to a 48-20 road victory against Palo Verde in the Northwest League opener. The game was made up Monday after being postponed Friday because of weather.
“It was a good performance. I couldn’t do it without my line,” Washington said. “It was just a good feeling to come back after Friday and do our thing Monday.”
After the first two games, Washington had 19 carries for 140 yards, but fellow back Isaiah Whitehead had 18 carries for 114, and Jerry Martin had 12 for 109. While Whitehead and Martin had good games Monday, rushing for 62 yards and 42 yards, respectively, it was Washington who had his coming-out party for the Longhorns (3-0, 1-0 Northwest).
Washington started the scoring with a 30-yard run on his first carry in the first quarter, then broke lose for a 33-yard score for the game’s second touchdown. Then he scored the third on his most impressive carry of the night, a scamper from 10 yards out during which he darted back and forth between defenders for a touchdown that would have made any highlight reel.
For good measure, he scored his final touchdown in the third quarter, going 58 yards.
“He is one of the most patient backs I’ve had,” Legacy coach John Isola said. “In our system, that patience pays off because when they overpursue, he looks for the tough out.”
Legacy never trailed, and a pick-six by Elijahaun Warfield in the fourth quarter put the Longhorns up 42-6 to trigger the running clock, high school football’s unofficial TKO.
For Isola, doing it against Palo Verde (1-2, 0-1) was even sweeter.
“Before the season started this was the game I said we have to have. This is the most important game on our schedule because we have to start in the Northwest at 1-0,” Isola said. “It’s the toughest division. I don’t care what anybody says. It’s the toughest division in this town.”
Contact Justin Emerson at jeme