Ethan Washington’s motions seemed effortless as he navigated through Army’s defense.
Washington, the Black Knights’ freshman quarterback playing in the team’s first preseason scrimmage, twice found the end zone on runs of 20 yards or more during the controlled two-hour session.
“I feel pretty good (with the offense),” Washington said. “I still have to get the fundamentals down. Only being in camp for two weeks, it’s hard but with the execution, coaches put us in great positions in practice to get mental reps. I have two great quarterbacks Bryson Daily and Dewayne Coleman to watch.”
Army’s first preseason scrimmage was afternoon of opportunity for Washington and the Black Knights quarterbacks. Daily, a senior captain and returning starter, and Coleman, a junior and only other quarterback with game experience, were held out as a precaution. Army’s four remaining signal callers – sophomores Cale Hellums and Mitch Bolden and Washington and fellow freshman Luke Knight – received their chance to impress coaches in the light scrimmage (not every play was tackled to the ground).
Army coach Jeff Monken said all four quarterbacks “did some good things.” But, the quarterbacks and every position group “got a ton of improvements to make.”
Hellums, a sophomore, lined up with the first team and impressed Monken with his presence.
“He’s a tough runner, got a really good arm,” Monken said. “He missed a couple of throws but I thought he did a good job. It was his first opportunity to play with ones (first team). I was happy. He’s matured. He’s growing. He’s improved a lot even from the spring. You can see that. He’s playing more like a veteran player should.”
Washington’s moment of flash were noticed by Monken. The coach thinks Washington, who played at Army Prep in its shotgun offense last season, will get better and better once “the game slows down for him” and his understanding of the offense improves.
Washington wasn’t perfect. He made a rookie mistakes trying to force a pass near the goal line that was intercepted by classmate Larry Pickett Jr.
“I thought he did a nice job,” Monken said. “He made some good runs. He’s very elusive, good on his feet. He’s not a power runner like Bryson Daily but a good runner. He can make some good throws.
“I’m anxious to see him grow and develop. He’s certainly not ready to be our quarterback yet. But I think in due time he’s going to have himself in the mix.”
Bolden completed a 24-yard pass to Tobi Olawole at the goal line.
