CHARLEROI, Pa. – Wash High senior Ameer Nelson proved why he is the program’s No. 1 player on Friday night, delivering a dominant performance that propelled the Prexies to a 35‑7 win over No. 8 Beth‑Center in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals.
Nelson scored four rushing touchdowns on runs of 20, 7, 2 and a hard‑earned 13‑yard dash in the fourth quarter. He finished with 130 yards on just ten carries, averaging 13 yards per rush. “As a leader of this team I expected us to come out and get our jobs done,” Nelson said after the game. “When I got the ball, I had my eyes on getting into the end zone and that’s exactly what I was able to do tonight.”
Early dominance sets the tone
The Prexies opened the game with a 67‑yard drive in 12 plays, culminating in Nelson’s first touchdown on a 4th‑and‑8 play at the 20‑yard line. A short, high kickoff by Wash High gave the Prexies excellent field position, and eight plays later Nelson struck again, extending the lead to 14‑0.
Washington’s defense held Beth‑Center scoreless in the first half, not allowing a first down until 1:55 remained in the first quarter. Beth‑Center finally got a possession in the final two minutes of the quarter but went three‑and‑out.
Second‑half adjustments and continued scoring
After a holding penalty and a false start, Nelson slipped across the goal line from two yards out on Washington’s third possession. Later, a 30‑yard run set up a five‑yard touchdown by Jamarie Walker with five seconds left in the second quarter, giving the Prexies a 28‑0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Beth‑Center managed to score a lone touchdown, cutting the margin to 28‑7, but Washington responded quickly. Nelson, who took over as wildcat quarterback in the second half, fought off tackles to score his fourth touchdown, sealing the 35‑7 final.
Defensive strength and discipline
The Prexies’ defense limited Beth‑Center to just five yards of offense on four possessions in the first half and forced a fumble by Ja’Quay Heyman. Beth‑Center’s offense struggled throughout, managing only a 4‑yard scramble as its longest play of the first half.
Washington’s special teams also contributed, recovering a squib kick and forcing a turnover that set up another scoring opportunity.
Coaches’ perspective
Wash High head coach Mike Bosnic praised the early start, saying, “We knew if we could jump out ahead that would be big for us. We were able to do so and then were able to hang in there after that.” He also noted the need to clean up penalties, as the Prexies were flagged 14 times for 115 yards.
Beth‑Center coach Tim Trump acknowledged the challenge, stating, “We did some good things on defense at first, but they were still able to score on us and then they got that pooch kick. That set the tone for the game and we just couldn’t recover from it.” Despite the loss, Trump praised his players: “Our kids don’t quit. I’m proud of my boys.”
Looking ahead
With the win, the Prexies (11‑1) advance to the semifinals, where they will face Fort Cherry. Beth‑Center (10‑2) finished its season after winning its first playoff game since 2010.
The quarterfinal showcased the depth of talent in Washington County high‑school football and set the stage for an exciting semifinal matchup.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
