Washington coach Dennis McCray finds himself in a very unusual position.

For years, the Warriors have been one of the top teams in the area, always making the playoffs, almost always competing for a district crown. Last year, Washington jumped from Class A to Class 2A and went on to win District 2A-3 and make it to the second round of the playoffs.

But things have changed.

For 19 straight years, 18 in Class A, the Warriors have made the playoffs. But a 1-4 start, 0-2 in district, has them fighting for their playoff lives.

"Really, during that period of time, we were a third- or fourth-place team and just got in a couple of times," McCray said. "The vast majority we were either winning the district title or contending for it. Right now, that just doesn't look real feasable."

McCray went into the spring believing he had the personnel to run the flex-bone option rather than the spread, which the Warriors had run since the early part of this decade.

So far, the offense has been off and on, but the defense has been torched in district play.

Through two district games, the Warriors have given up 92 points.

This week, they're at Frederick, a team they beat 17-0 at home a year ago. The Bombers are 4-1 right now, with their only loss coming to Anadarko (which beat powers Newcastle and Clinton).

If Washington wants to make it 20 straight postseason trips, it's going to have to figure out some things in a hurry.

"Our backs are against the wall," McCray said. "We're fighting now to make the playoffs. That's a little bit of uncharted territory for us."

Ugly win

Sure, Little Axe may have come away with a big 24-10 victory over Meeker last Friday, evening their District 2A-2 record at 1-1, but coach Tony Smith still sees a lot his team can work on.

For example, the Indians are still committing way too many penalties if they want to make their preseason goal, a trip to the playoffs, come to fruition.