Friday’s Games : Given the Opportunity, Washington Wins, 14-7

For Fremont High School, it was an afternoon of lost opportunities.

After blowing several scoring chances, the Pathfinders, instead of leading handily, found themselves with a precarious 7-0 lead over Washington entering the fourth quarter.

And Fremont paid for its mistakes. Washington, which had missed several opportunities of its own, drove 67 and 76 yards for touchdowns to defeat the Pathfinders, 14-7, in a City nonleague game at Washington.

“We let ‘em hang in there and hang in there,” Fremont Coach Taja Rodisha said.

Fremont did complete one scoring drive, thanks to a great catch. On fourth and 19 from the Washington 35, quarterback Jesse Holloway lofted a long pass down the middle intended for wide receiver Rodney Guy.

Although well-covered, Guy was able to make a leaping catch over a Washington defender and tumble into the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown playand a 7-0 lead with 4:30 remaining in the first half. It marked the end of the Fremont offense, though, as the Pathfinders managed only 38 total yards and no first downs the rest of the game.

The Generals took the ensuing kickoff and drove 79 yards. But they took their time--literally--as Tahim Brown was tackled at the Fremont one as the final seconds of the half ran out.

It remained 7-0 until the fourth quarter, when Washington finally scored as Samuel Watson went around left end on a sweep and raced down the left sideline on a 60-yard touchdown run.

But the Generals missed the extra point and the Pathfinders led, 7-6, with 9:57 remaining.

Fremont ran three plays and punted, and Washington took over at its 24 with 8:42 remaining. Manuel Painia, Washington’s wishbone quarterback who replaced starter Dion Bell in the third quarter, ran a well-orchestrated attack, making two big runs to keep the drive alive.

On third and eight from the Fremont 43, Painia gained 10 yards on a keeper for a first down. Three plays later, on fourth and five from the Fremont 28, Painia gained five yards on another keeper to barely get the first down.

One play later, Brian Bridgewater ran 19 yards on a reverse to give Washington a first down at the Fremont one. Painia snuck over from there, and after a two-point conversion, Washington led, 14-7, with 45 seconds remaining.