With starting quarterback Treon Harris on the bench because of a bad stomach problem and a tender ankle, Booker T. Washington, the country’s No. 1 team, took to the ground and relied on its defense to pull away and rout Monsignor Pace 49-7 on Friday night at Pace High School in the District 8-4A opener for both teams.
Because of a bad passing game, the Tornadoes turned to the running game, namely running backs Mark Walton and Krondis Larry for their offense. The two combined for 180 yards (Walton 100 on 9 carries, Larry 80 on 15) and four touchdowns (three by Walton, one for Larry) to lead the way.
Booker T. picked off Pace quarterback Kelly Benson four times, two by Terry Jefferson and a pick six 50 yard return by La’Darius Crump 18 seconds before halftime to stake BTW to a 35-7 halftime lead.
“Treon wasn’t dressed tonight so we had every confidence that Malik could carry us through and even though he struggled a little early I thought he settled down and did a nice job along with the rest of our team,” said Booker T. head coach Tim “Ice” Harris. “The idea is to keep getting better each week and that fact that the clock has run in every game this year except Central means we’re getting there.”
