‘Dun dun, dun dun.’ Kalen ‘Jaws’ Washington helps Bryan Station edge Madison Central.
Bryan Station head coach Phillip Hawkins admitted there are no secrets when it comes to his play calls when his offense needs to go.
And the familiar “dun dun, dun dun” of the “Theme from Jaws” playing from the Defenders’ press box after most runs serves to drive the point for their opponents even more.
In Friday’s 14-10 win against Madison Central, Kalen “Jaws” Washington ate up 139 yards on 23 carries and scored both Bryan Station touchdowns to help Class 6A’s No. 7 Defenders (5-4) lock down the No. 2 spot in District 8 behind Frederick Douglass.
Washington’s unique nickname came from his dad, who marveled at his son’s football ability at an early age.
“Ever since I was little I just used to run people over,” Washington said. “So my dad just named me Jaws because I chewed people up on the field.”
Hawkins frowned slightly at the mention of the press box’s music selection, but he can’t deny his senior feature running back’s impact on the game.
“He’s a work horse that’s for sure,” Hawkins said. “I think he gets better the more touches I give him.”
But the going against Madison Central wasn’t easy, and Bryan Station’s defense and special teams played a huge role in the outcome, as well.
Bryan Station scored on its second drive of the game as Washington capped a four-play drive with a 29-yard TD run with 6:36 left in the first quarter. Madison Central answered with a clock-draining nine-play drive that ended on Bryant Mathis’ 4-yard TD pass to Nathan Ogle with 9:15 left in the second quarter.
Neither team could get much going after that. The Defenders’ first two drives of the second half ended with interceptions by Sam Farmer and Aiden Parker, respectively. The second pick set up Peyton Guilbuilt’s 24-yard field goal for a 10-7 Madison Central lead with 9:12 to play in the game.
The Defenders responded immediately.
Kamani Barbour broke a 41-yard return on the ensuing kickoff that got padded by a 15-yard personal foul to set Bryan Station up on the Madison Central 28-yard line.
It took six plays — all Washington carries — for Bryan Station to retake the lead. Washington swept around right end from 4 yards out to help put the Defenders up 14-10 with 6:31 to play in the fourth quarter.
“It’s my line. I’m nothing without them,” Washington said of the go-ahead sequence. “I trust them and they trust me and together, nobody can stop us. … It’s not really a lot of pressure, because I know my brothers got me. I just take it and do the best I can.”
Bryan Station’s defense allowed only one sustained drive by Madison Central’s frustrating wing-T offense all game and got some big plays to seal the victory late.
On the Indians’ final drive, Keelan Adams dropped Madison Central running back Jeff Hairston for a 7-yard loss on the Bryan Station 47-yard line. That put the Indians (5-4) into a passing situation that led to senior defensive back Zjalijuon White’s second interception of the game with 1:22 left.
White reeled in Liam Dailey’s errant pass at the Defenders’ 14-yard line and returned it 62 yards as his teammates erupted in celebration. Bryan Station ran out the clock from there.
“I knew they had to throw the ball,” said White, now tied for the team lead in interceptions with four. “Last year wasn’t the best year for me. So, now, when the ball is in the air, it’s mine.”
Next, Bryan Station will travel to Central Hardin (2-7) for the regular-season finale. Then, the Defenders will host District 7’s third-place team, Henry Clay (1-8), in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Hawkins knows his team has a number of things it must fix to go on a postseason run like they have each of the last two years.
“We’ve got a good group of seniors and a lot of new faces playing very important roles,” Hawkins said. “Tonight, we figured out a way, and that’s a sign of a competitive team. We’ve just got to keep competing.”
Lexington teams bring home district titles
Frederick Douglass 35, George Rogers Clark 0: Jaxon Strautman threw for 125 yards and connected on TD passes with Aveion Chenault and Peyton Smith as the Broncos (6-3) clinched their seventh straight district title. Dakari Talbert, Strautman and Smith all had rushing TDs as well, the longest being Talbert’s 53-yarder in the second quarter. Elie Mongengo, Wes Benson and Dacoldus Fields all had interceptions as Douglass held GRC to 100 total yards.
Tates Creek 38, Henry Clay 25: BJ Evans Jr. rushed for 325 yards and three TDs and Darnell Burnside connected on a 47-yard TD pass to JT Cooper as the Commodores (5-3) rallied from a 17-7 first-half deficit to finish unbeaten in District 7. Stephen Jones added a 52-yard TD run.
Lexington Catholic 57, Pendleton County 0: Duncan Gaunce returned a punt and a kickoff return for a TD as the Knights (3-6) dominated the host Wildcats to finish unbeaten in Class 3A District 5 for their second district title in a row. Matthew Kern threw a pair of TDs to Jackson Kreutzer, while Cam Sweeney tossed another scoring pass to Jack Wedding. Brady Wasik and John Moses added rushing TDs.
Lexington Christian 52, Washington County 7: Seven Eagles scored as LCA (7-2) ran out to a mercy rule margin on the visiting Commanders by halftime to clinch Class 2A District 4, its fifth district title in a row. Saxton Howard threw a pair of TDs to Sam Pearson and ran one in himself. Bennett Gudalis, Mac Darland, Paxton Gray and Carter Penix also scored.
Sayre 49, Eminence 6: Luke Pennington completed 15 of 16 passes for 225 yards and four TDs, three to Chase Parker, as the Class A No. 2 Spartans (9-0) claimed their second straight district title. Brock Coffman had one of the other TD catches and added a punt return TD. Charlie Slaubagh added a rushing TD and led the team with nine tackles.
Other Lexington result
Lafayette 38, Paul Laurence Dunbar 22: Jackson Grantz kicked a 22-yard field goal and later grabbed a 16-yard interception return for a touchdown as the Generals (5-4) locked up a No. 2 spot in District 7, their highest playoff seed since 2016. Triston Taylor added two rushing TDs and Ransom Payton threw a 9-yard TD pass to Harrison Stephens. Jackson Stephens got a pick six as well.
This story was originally published October 26, 2024 at 10:08 AM.
