Brandon Washington started the season as a wide receiver for Gallaudet, but he is all under center now for the Bison. Photo by Mike Atherton, d3photography.com

By Joe Sager
D3sports.com

Gallaudet is going to run the football.

It’s on you to stop it. Thus far, not many opponents have been able to do that.

The Bison used its ground game to upend Alfred State, 36-22, on Saturday to capture the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title and a trip back to the national playoffs for the first time since 2013.

On a windy afternoon, Gallaudet didn’t even attempt a pass. The Bison didn’t need to, though, as sophomore quarterback Brandon Washington rushed for a career-high 228 yards on 28 carries. He added three touchdowns.

“I couldn’t do it without my offense. They were making their blocks and giving me opportunities to find some holes and to score,” Washington said. “It felt great waking up the next morning knowing that we were a conference champion. We worked all summer for an opportunity for it happen.”

Overall, the team racked up 356 yards on the ground despite the Pioneers loading up the box to try to stop the rushing attack.

“They just couldn’t stop the run. We just kept running the ball down their throat,” Washington said. “What’s the point in passing when they couldn’t stop the run game?”

He has a point. While the wind did play a factor in the team’s game plan, it’s not like Gallaudet, a four-year university for the deaf and hard of hearing, slings the ball all over the field normally. In the Bison’s 27-13 win vs. Anna Maria the week prior, the team only attempted four passes. For the year, the squad has rushed for 2,460 yards and thrown for 606.

“On the first play of the game, Alfred (State) loaded the box with nine players. We knew that was going to be the plan for them. Our game plan was to continue to run the ball and we’ll throw it when we feel it’s right. They couldn’t stop it, so we kept running,” Gallaudet senior offensive lineman Mitch Dolinar said. “First and foremost, Brandon is an incredible athlete. Everyone on the field sees that. The game plan every week is to get our best players the ball. He ran like crazy. Our offensive line did a job. We just preach consistency. That doesn’t mean we have to be putting people on the floor every play. If we can just cover a guy for two seconds for the running backs to get through, that’s all we need.

“We’ve been running well all year. The coaching staff demands excellence. We know it all starts in the trenches,” he continued. “We can’t do it without the backfield and the backfield can’t do it without the offensive line. Everyone holds each other accountable to get the best results.”

Gallaudet's big bass drum on the sidelines used to signal every snap, because the players can feel the thud on the field. These days, it is used in pregame, during punts, and then after the dance, as if it were a victory bell. Photo by Mike Atherton, d3photography.com

Dolinar and the rest of the offensive line have enabled the Bison to develop a strong running game. Austin Hicks, John Scarboro, Joseph Medis and Iopu Vaimauga were the other starters on the line in Saturday’s win.

“The offensive line has come together in last two years. That’s a credit to line coach Todd Collins. He is a former player of mine and was part of our 2013 conference championship team,” Gallaudet coach Chuck Goldstein said. “He has changed the culture within that group. I’ve never seen such a tight-knit position group in our program. They are inseparable. They do everything together. It is awesome to see.

“We’ve had some injuries and we’ve had to move some people around. We started the season with 11 offensive linemen, but we’re down to eight now. These guys take pride in what they do. They love football and will do everything they can for everyone to have some openings with the ball.”

Normally a flanker, Washington was pressed into duty at quarterback. He gets the bulk of the carries, while Dre’Vaughn Mackall (97 carries, 567 yards) and Mikka Harvey (53, 417) have benefited from the offensive line as well.

“Brandon Washington is special. Dre’Vaughn and Mikka are pretty talented, too. It’s a challenge to get them all touches. They are all unique and special,” Goldstein said. “When it’s their time to step up, they make the best out of each carry.

“Brandon is not a quarterback. He didn’t want to be a quarterback. When we put him at wide receiver, he catches the ball and scores touchdowns. The last two weeks, we put him at quarterback only. We’re going all in with him at quarterback and he’s just led the way,” he continued. “The plan is to run the ball and get some 1-on-1 matchups. Our receivers take pride in blocking. They know if they do their job, they will be open later.”

Defensively, the Bison is coming together as well. The team has a had a pick-6 and forced a safety in each of its last three games.

“I am super proud of the players and our coaching staff, from top to bottom. The biggest turnaround is on defense,” Goldstein said. “These guys have been playing really well. Special teams, too. We have a good kicker (Jonathon Waterman). We’ve won three games by three points or less and came from behind in two games. We’ve been lucky. It’s been one of those magical years. It’s been fun.

“I am a big believer in this conference. Everybody in this league is competitive and you never know who is going to win,” he continued. “To end the regular season the way we did with two wins and controlling the clock and limiting mistakes is great.”

Gallaudet is off this week, which gives the team some extra time to recover before focusing on the postseason.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride. The start of the year, things did not go our way,” Dolinar said. “But, there was plenty of accountability. Players came in every day and worked hard and were not satisfied. The resilience of the guys on the team is incredible. It’s been a very special season. It’s definitely great to be playing this time of year. We always say the best kind of football is football in cold weather. We’re not done. I am excited to see us continue this style of winning.”

The Bison will learn its playoff foe on Sunday.

“For us, I am glad it’s worked out the way it has with having a week off,” Goldstein said. “I remember in 2013, we won on a Saturday and, Sunday, we found out our opponent and then had to get travel coordinated. This time, we get an extra week to get healthy and take it all in. We’ve been the only men’s team in school history to compete in the NCAA playoffs. We’ll enjoy it and relax a bit before it gets crazy again.”