Sylvan Hills quarterback making early difference

Jordan Washington has proven himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the state through the first two weeks of the 2016 season.

The Sylvan Hills senior has completed 27 of 48 passes for 501 yards with 7 touchdowns and 1 interception and has rushed for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns on 35 carries.

But it was his performance at Hot Springs Lakeside that helped him earn this week's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Arkansas Preps player of the week award.

Washington, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, was 16-of-28 passing for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Bears' 28-27 victory over the Rams. He also rushed for 38 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries. He will be honored at Monday's Little Rock Touchdown Club luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. Former Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel will be the Touchdown Club's guest speaker.

"He is a difference-maker," Sylvan Hills Coach Jim Withrow said of Washington.

Washington threw touchdown passes of 60, 30 and 22 yards and added a 9-yard scoring run for Sylvan Hills. His first touchdown pass was a 60-yarder to Jamar Lane that tied the game at 7-7.

Sylvan Hills took a 14-13 lead on Washington's 30-yard pass to Daelyn Farrow.

"He was flushed out of the pocket and kept it alive," Withrow said. "It was a heads-up play by Daelyn."

The Rams took a 21-14 lead, but the Bears tied the game at 21-21 with Washington's 22-yard touchdown pass to Payton Terry.

The Bears took a 28-27 lead on Washington's 9-yard run. Sylvan Hills preserved the victory when Curtise Wiggins blocked Lakeside's Philip Gayle's 18-yard field-goal attempt with 20 seconds remaining.

Withrow said Washington has been dealing with minor injuries during the first two weeks. Washington bruised his right hand against Little Rock Catholic on Sept. 2, then had a cramp in his hamstring in the first half against Lakeside.

However, Withrow has been pleased with Washington's leadership while dealing with the injuries.

"It shows you how tough he is," Withrow said. "The kids have a lot of faith in him. We look at him for leadership. We have a lot of guys who do that as well."

Washington is in his second year as Sylvan Hills' starting quarterback. He started the final three games for Sylvan Hills in 2014 when Tra Doss hurt his wrist. Withrow believes that the experience Washington had as a sophomore has helped him going into the next two seasons.

"He realized how much it takes to be a quarterback in this system," said Withrow of Washington, who accounted for more than 2,600 yards offensively last season. "It's not the easiest job in the world. He realized how hard it is. He realized how hard it is to beat good teams.

"Sometimes, we look at situations like that and take away the negatives. But later on, it will help."

As far as Washington's future goes, Withrow said the quarterback has received offers from Central Arkansas and Missouri. He has been recruited as a wide receiver and as a safety, but Withrow said colleges are beginning to look at him as a quarterback.

"He is a unique situation," Withrow said. "I don't think they realize how good of a quarterback he is. I think now they're seeing that. It's going to really pick up as the season goes on."

Sports on 09/15/2016