Speedy Washington can’t top Douglass

Douglass’ defense forced three turnovers — turning one into a touchdown — and held Washington playmaker Branden Smith under wraps for most of the game to claim a 27-16 victory at Lakewood Stadium.

The Astros (1-2) had entered the game winless under new head coach Ken Barrow, and needed a boost of confidence after lopsided losses to Chamblee (43-14) in Week 1 and city rival Mays (28-0) last week.

“It’s a great win for us,” said Barrow, who was the head coach at Mundy’s Mill last season. “We played two pretty good football teams the first two weeks. I hope this helps us gain some confidence as we get ready for our region [games].”

Washington (1-2) wasted no time getting the ball in Smith’s hands.

On the Bulldogs’ first possession of the game, Smith, a member of the AJC Super 11 and Georgia 150 who placed second in the 100 meters (10.50 seconds) at the Class AAAA state track meet last spring, blew by Douglass cornerback Caleb Lester on a “go” route and Bulldogs quarterback Quadal Forte hit him in stride for a 68-yard touchdown. Washington led 8-0 after Forte ran in the extra point.

But Douglass answered quickly, displaying some speed of its own. On the ensuing kickoff, junior running back Michael Davis burst up the middle, swerved to his right, stepped out of an arm tackle and raced up the sideline 73 yards to pull the Astros to within 8-6 after the extra point attempt failed.

Douglass seized the momentum by going for, and recovering an onside kick at the Washington 30-yard line. After an encroachment penalty on Washington moved the ball to the Bulldogs 2, Douglass junior quarterback Braylon Williams Jr. scored to give the Astros the lead. Williams hit senior running back Michael Patrick on the point-after attempt to put Douglass ahead 14-8.

After the Douglass defense forced two consecutive three-and-outs by Washington, Davis returned the punt 16 yards to the Bulldogs’ 22-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Williams hit tight end Edward Mosley over the middle for the Astros’ third touchdown of the half and a 20-8 lead at intermission.

Douglass’ defense put the game away for good on Washington’s first drive of the second half. On third-and-11 from midfield, junior linebacker Richard Sanders sacked Forte and forced a fumble that was returned for a 39-yard touchdown by senior defensive end Jonathan Atchinson, also a member of the AJC Georgia 150.

After the early explosion by Smith, the Astros defense held the Bulldogs to just eight first downs the rest of the game.

Smith did catch another pass late in the fourth quarter for a 38-yard gain, which was part of an eight-play 83-yard drive that resulted in an eight-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Goodwin from Forte. But Douglass already had the game well in hand.

“Douglass played a great game. [Astros junior defensive lineman] Garrison Smith is a great player,” said Washington first-year head coach Stanley Pritchett, a graduate of Douglass and former South Carolina and NFL running back. “Their defense forced some turnovers. I give them a lot of credit.”

Both teams start their region schedules next week. Douglass, in Region 2-AAAAA, will host Greenbrier, while Washington travels to Grady in Region 5-AAA.