The Washington Demon football team followed their winning recipe of run, run, run to perfection Friday night in their 2025 Case Field finale, downing conference opponent Fort Madison by a final of 42-15 in a game heard live on KCII.
It was a quick strike touchdown by Kael Williams to begin action as he sprinted into the end zone from 57 yards away to put the Demons up 7-0 15 seconds into the game. Fort Madison would respond by moving the football into Washington territory before Nic Stone dove in from his defensive back spot to nab his third interception in two weeks. Even after penalties seemed as if they were trying to hamper the ensuing Demon drive, Williams would quickly make that a distant memory, powering his way into pay dirt for his 15th rushing score of the season. With the aid of Washington penalties, the Bloodhounds found the response on a lengthy 70-yard drive that lasted eight minutes. Eric Cornelis dove across the goal line on 4th-and-goal to draw his team closer. Another long Williams touchdown dash and a Caden Greiner one-yard plunge padded the Washington lead 28-7 at the half. In the third, the Demon passing game got involved when Williams launched a deep ball over the middle to sophomore target Liam Roberts for a 30-yard score. Fort Madison would not find another response until quarter four when Moses Thacher pounded his way across for six from five yards away. One last Demon TD came with 10:29 to play when Grant Whisler broke left off tackle from nine yards out to put the game on ice.
Unofficially, Washington won total yards 395-138, including gaps of 161-51 in the passing attack and 234-87 in the rushing game. Turnovers were tied 1-1. For Washington, Williams finished nine for 14 with 145 passing yards and his TD to Roberts, 11 carries for 207 yards and a hat trick of rushing TDs. He was named co-Washington County Hospital and Clinics Demon of the Game live on the Community First Credit Union Postgame Show, and spoke with KCII Sports about the performance.
“It feels great. When you’re a freshman or a sophomore you’re just thinking of this, how far away it is. It speeds up on you. It comes up quick, and it’s pretty sad but it feels good to end (at home) on a win,” Williams said. “Case Field is a really special place for everyone. The community just rallies together and it’s more than a football game. It’s just a gathering of all the people you know and love. It’s good to get it done. It’s pretty sad, but I’m glad we ended on a good note.”
The other Demons who collected TDs — Greiner, Whisler and Roberts — combined for over 15 yards rushing and over 70 yards receiving. For the Bloodhounds, quarterback Stefan Berlett completed half of his passes for 51 yards. Thacher and Cornelis combined to have 35 carries for 80 yards and the pair of rushing TDs. Aurelio Jaciunde led the receiving room with 27 yards.
With the win, Washington improves to 4-4 on the season and 2-2 in district ahead of their regular season finale with Keokuk next Friday. Fort Madison stays winless in 2025 with a matchup against No. 3 Solon next week. You can hear the Demons take on the Chiefs next Friday beginning with La Morenitas Demon football pregame show coverage at 7 p.m.