A top 10 matchup lived up to the hype in North Liberty on Friday night, as #10 in class 3A Washington upended #9 Iowa City Liberty 38-31 in a seesaw battle.

The entire game both teams took turns scoring touchdowns, as it never got bigger than a one-possession margin. Washington drew first blood on the first drive of the game trotting right down the field and scoring on a four-yard Luke Turner run. The Lightning found the equalizer early in the second, but Turner reached pay dirt again this time from six yards out. A 50-yard bomb from Trashaun Willis to Ethan Hunt headlined that three-play drive. Two-point conversions across the board in the first half meant the Demons led 16-8 at the break. After a Washington fumble in the opening kickoff of the second half, Liberty took advantage on a Max Tafolla three yard score to tie it up at 16 all. The trading punches theme continued with Wyatt Stout scoring the final three Demon touchdowns via the ground game, but the Lightning were there every step of the way thanks to two Drake Woody passing touchdowns. Liberty took their first lead 31-30 with seven minutes left after a successful two-point conversion, but it was short lived, as Washington and Stout delivered the final blow two minutes later. Head Coach James Harris praised the leadership from his group when they got down for the first time all year. “How they handled that is a testament to these kids. They have put so much work in and had a great offseason. They are great leaders and it showed.” Turner was 11 of 16 through the air for 129 yards and added 149 on the ground. Stout finished with 81 yards on 17 carries and the three scores. Hunt hauled in three passes for 75 yards.

Washington stays unbeaten at 3-0 and they make a trip to West Liberty on Friday.