Elijah Franco leads Washougal to 22-0 win over Mark Morris

WASHOUGAL—Elijah Franco provided scores on offense and defense and Washougal clamped down defensively en route to pitching a 22-0 shutout of Mark Morris in 2A GSHL play on Friday at Fishback Stadium.

Franco opened the scoring with a highlight-reel 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter and ran in a 9-yard score on a direct snap with 3:20 left in the second quarter to give the Panthers a 15-0 lead into halftime.

The latter drive was set up by Franco’s second interception of the first half.

Brandon Austenfeld made a sliding 19-yard touchdown catch to extend Washougal’s lead in the third quarter.

Washougal (1-1, 2-2) travels to Ridgefield next Friday, while Mark Morris (1-1, 2-2) hosts Hudson’s Bay.

WASHOUGAL 22, MARK MORRIS 0

Mark Morris 0 0 0 0—0

Washougal 7 8 7 0—22

First quarter

Wash—Elijah Franco 92 interception return (Brandon Austenfeld kick)

Second quarter

Wash—Franco 9 run (Travis Lundberg pass from Franco)

Third quarter

Wash—Austenfeld 19 pass from Kaden Fautt (Austenfeld kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Mark Morris: Kenny Mullen Jr. 7-18, Carter Huhta 12-(-6), Nate Stephens 2-3, Deker Bartell 1-(-1). Washougal: Kaden Fautt 2-(-8), Mercy Johnston 4-23, Ben Kellar 13-97, Elijah Franco 2-11, Hunter Miller 4-23.

PASSING—Mark Morris: Huhta 24-41-2-217. Washougal: Fautt 8-18-0-100.

RECEIVING—Mark Morris: Nate Stephens 8-109, Danniel Kobayashi-Gallagher 5-28, Deker Bartell 2-20, Mullen 8-48, Brady Schlecht 1-12. Washougal: Casey Crosby 1-26, Brandon Austenfeld 5-57, Miller 1-7, Parker Cherry 1-10.