Princeton shuts down GW, 21-0

— By Ethan Collins

CHARLESTON, W Va. — Two teams averaging more than 30 points — Class AAA No. 10 Princeton and No. 11 George Washington met Friday night with plenty at stake in the Capital City. 

Although the game had the makings of a shootout coming in, it was the Tigers’ defense that was the story as it dominated to lead Princeton to a 21-0 win. 

Playoff projections have Princeton (6-2) staying at No. 10 and facing Wheeling Park in the opening round, while GW (3-2) is projected to open the postseason at either Martinsburg or Bridgeport as a No. 13 or 12 seed.

“We could have sat at home, but we wanted a challenge,” Princeton coach Chris Pedigo said. “I called up GW asked them first if they wanted to come to us. But I also realized they only had one home game this season, so we were willing to come up to them. I wanted us to play a playoff team to see what we had going into the playoffs.” 

It took nearly 24 minutes for either team to score, but the Tigers broke through when Grant Cochcran connected on his first touchdown pass with Ethan Parsons on a 21-yard play. 

GW got into the red zone on its ensuing series and was set to go for it on fourth-and-1, but a false start penalty forced the Patriots into a field goal attempt. That kick was blocked, leaving PHS with a 7-0 halftime lead.

GW got the ball to start the second half and had a similar result after getting to the Princeton 29-yard line on fourth down. Although the Patriots appeared to score when Michael Hughes made a 46-yard field goal, a delay of game infraction moved the ball back an additional 5 yards. Hughes then tried the kick from 51 yards, which had the distance but missed wide right. 

Princeton took over and went 80 yards to the end zone, scoring with 30 seconds left in the third quarter on a 22-yard pass from Cochran to Josiah Honaker to make it 14-0 going into the final quarter.

GW looked flustered in the fourth quarter trying to erase the two touchdown deficit. A lost fumble put any thought of a comeback to rest and the Tigers scored their third touchdown on the second scoring connection between Cochran and Parsons.  

R.T. Alexander was intercepted for the second time on the ensuing drive near the goal line, allowing the Tigers to preserve the shutout.

“I just wanted them to go out there and play ball,” Pedigo said. “We have been playing great defense all year. We can preach to these guys all we want about preparing and schemes, but it’s the energy on the defensive side that really makes this defense great. 

“I don’t know if anyone says they want us in the first round,” Pedigo added. “Everyone will be excited to be there, but we still have a lot to prove and this has been a long time coming for us.” 

GW only had 224 yards of total offense, 106 courtesy of runningback De’Anthoney Wright on 13 carries. Alexander completed 8-of-15 attempts for 64 yards.

Cochran completed 13-of-23 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Honaker had four receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown, and Parsons made eight receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Amir Powell was the leading rusher with 22 carries for 127 yards.