Golden Hawks capture season-opening win at Washington

WASHINGTON

Less than three minutes into a football season, Mid-Prairie’s speed delivered an early message.

Ryan Henry, a junior running back and a two-time state track finalist in sprints, danced into the end zone, and toward Mid-Prairie boys track coach Dain Jeppson, standing outside the end zone, for the Golden Hawks’ first score last Friday at Washington.

Henry’s touchdown fueled a fast-paced offense that resulted in four Mid-Prairie’s touchdowns in the first half, carving the path for an opening night victory.

But the Golden Hawks had to withstand a strong Washington comeback in the second half to capture a 35-21 nondistrict win at Case Field.

“We told them it was going to be hard,” Golden Hawks head coach Daren Lambert said. “They weren’t going to give in. We sent that message at halftime. Credit to Washington; they kept battling. Really proud of the response that our guys showed.”

The win was the second straight for Mid-Prairie against Washington, a rivalry that was started back up in 2025 after an eight-year absence and a seven-game Washington win streak dating back to 2009.

The rivalry’s intensity was showcased by crushing hits and a parade of personal foul penalties early in the game.

“Very physical,” Lambert said. “We knew it was going to be. It’s a rivalry game. We’re 15 minutes away. That’s what we expect.”

Mid-Prairie, which had the top scoring offense in Iowa 2A last year, struck quickly. After Henry’s touchdown, a fumble recovery by Kendrick Kos led to a 35-yard scoring pass from senior quarterback Brooks Weber to Kos for a 14-0 lead.

Kos, who tied a career record with six pass receptions, caught another scoring pass in the third quarter. By the time that happened, with 8:36 left in the quarter, the Golden Hawks were cruising at 35-7 and the student sections entertained themselves with echoing chants across the field and back.

But Washington wasn’t done.

A 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Nic Stone and a 6-yard scoring run by Julian Parsons trimmed Mid-Prairie’s lead to 14 points. Mid-Prairie’s defense answered with an interception by Cecil Kelley with 5:46 left in the game and then a stop on fourth down at the Mid-Prairie 1-yard line with just minutes left.

“In these games, these tight ones where you’re battling, you learn a lot more in game one than if you show up and things are easy,” Lambert said. “I’m proud of our guys and excited that we’re able to walk out of here with a win.”

In addition to two touchdown catches and a fumble recovery, Kos returned two kickoffs for 108 yards. His six pass receptions tied a career record.

Henry rushed for 110 yards on 25 carries, a career night and his first 100-yard game.

Speeding up the Washington offense was junior wide receiver and kick returner, Liam Roberts, a former Highland player who had the game’s biggest play, a 50-yard touchdown reception. He had four pass receptions for 114 yards and ran back three kicks for 93 yards.

BY THE NUMBERS

MID-PRAIRIE 35, WASHINGTON 21

Mid-Prairie     14  14     7    0    --  35

Washington      0    7   14    0  --   21

M-P: Ryan Henry 5 run (Kale Miller kick)

M-P: Kendrick Kos 35 pass from Brooks Weber (Kale Miller kick)

M-P: Weber 1 run (Kale Miller kick)

W: Liam Roberts 50 pass from Julian Parsons (Braedon Tappan kick)

M-P: Bronx Miller 1 run (Kale Miller kick)

M-P: Kos 9 pass from Weber (Kale Miller kick)

W: Nic Stone 10 run (Tappan kick)

W: Parsons 6 run (Tappan kick)

PASSING LEADERS

Mid-Prairie, Brooks Weber, 17-25-164, 2 TD, 1 INT; Washington, Nic Stone, 8-14-196, 1 TD 2 INTs.

RUSHING LEADERS

Mid-Prairie, Ryan Henry, 25-110, 1 TD; Weber, 7-54, 1 TD; Lenox Miller, 3-10; Bronx Miller, 1-1, 1 TD; Washington, Stone, 14-102, 1 TD; Julian Parsons, 11-53, 1 TD; Liam Roberts, 3-11; Clayton Evans, 1-8.

RECEIVING LEADERS

Mid-Prairie, Kendrick Kos, 6-58, 2 TDs; Carson Humphrey, 5-64; Kale Miller, 4-31; Nolan Jergens, 2-11; Washington, Roberts, 4-114, 1 TD; Bryer Sobaski, 3-82.

TACKLING LEADERS

Mid-Prairie, Cecil Kelley, 7.5; Kale Miller, 6; Jergens, 3.5; Henry, 3.5; Washington, Clayton Evans, 9; Blaine Rees, 8.5; Boden Brown, 8.