A defense has schemes to stop — or at least slow down — one playmaker during any given game, but what is a defense to do when the field is loaded with them?
That’s the question the Yorktown Patriots are asking themselves after becoming the latest victims of a West Potomac offensive explosion, losing to the Wolverines 51-27 last night.
The pass-heavy attack of coach Erin Henderson went up and down the field throughout, collecting 545 yards of offense. Leading the way was senior quarterback Cole Walter, who finished a remarkable 31-for-42 for 329 yards and three touchdown passes. Walter made sure to spread the wealth as four Wolverine receivers had at least four catches.
“I’ll give the ball to anyone on the team,” Walter said. “I’ve been in this system since I was in ninth grade and I’m real comfortable running it. It’s like second nature for me now.”
In three games this season, Walter has now thrown for close to 830 yards and 11 touchdowns, both tops in the northern region thus far. Many of those passes have gone to senior Kristian Rodriguez, who once again ran an opposing secondary ragged. Rodriguez finished with six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, adding to his five scores in West Potomac’s first two games.
Senior wide receiver Will Rosenkrantz added 10 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Edward Johnson ran for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the loss, Yorktown’s dynamic playmaker, Kyle Toulouse, continued his torrid pace this season. The senior, who lined up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and cornerback over the course of the game, finished with three touchdowns, two on rushes and one on a 44-yard catch to end the first half. He also caught an interception on defense that set up a 24-yard touchdown run by senior running back Jared Smith.
But Toulouse was only one man, not nearly enough to stop what may be the most prolific offensive attack in the northern region right now.
“We got kids that play hard and they try to make things happen,” Henderson said. “This is their fourth year in this offense and the kids understand it now. It’s intuitive and they do a good job. A senior quarterback always helps.”