Cedar Falls put a saddle on its big offensive line and rode it over Cedar Rapids Washington for a 27-10 first-round Class 4A playoff victory Wednesday on a rainy night at Kingston Stadium.

"Rather than taking chances (passing) on a night like this, when you have perhaps the best offensive lineman in the country ... if you have a horse, might as well ride it," Cedar Falls Coach Pat Mitchell said.

Mitchell was referring to top-ranked offensive line recruit Ross Pierschbacher. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound tackle has verbally committed to defending national champion Alabama.

Cedar Falls (7-3) attempted just one pass play, and instead kept the ball on the ground and pounded out 289 yards on 68 attempts. The Tigers had 21 first downs.

"Our coaches put together the game plan," Pierschbacher said. "I can't argue with them. The offensive line we have this year ... can't argue with it."

Eli Berregaard had 137 yards on 33 carries and scored three touchdowns. Denison Harrington had 80 yards on 13 carries and fullback Ben Fienup had 52 yards on 13 carries for Cedar Falls.

"Our plan was to run the ball a lot," Berregaard said. "Run it down their throats. We did that tonight."

Washington (6-4) came into the game on a six-game winning streak. The Warriors' last loss was to Cedar Falls, 21-7, back in Week 3.

The Warriors expected the ground and pound.

"They have difficulty throwing the ball, and they have the horses up front to block us and run behind," Cedar Rapids Washington Coach Paul James said. "Run, run, run ... we didn't have the people to stop them."

The Tigers set the tone right away, taking the first drive 80 yards in 16 plays for a touchdown. Cedar Falls converted three third downs and one fourth down, all on the ground, during the drive.

"Its tough on the defense when that happens," James said.

"I think it wore down our defense a little bit," junior D-lineman Royal Silver said. "I think we lost confidence."

After getting a field goal from Gunnar Lenzen to cut the score to 7-3 late in the first quarter, the Warriors hurt themselves with a fumble and two interceptions that led to 13 points for the Tigers before half.

It was 20-3 at intermission.

"At first we came out maybe a little soft on defense, and on offense, made a couple bad mistakes," Warrior junior quarterback Reid Snitker said. "They are a physical team, and we couldn't match them tonight."

Washington wanted to put the ball in the air and Snitker connected on his first four passes. He finished 11-of-22 for 175 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to Landen Akers.

"We thought we had a good game plan," James said. "But we had three turnovers in the first half, and a holding (call) inside the 10."

Washington had enjoyed several come-from-behind wins during its six-game winning streak, but didn't have the magic Wednesday.

"I guess it just ran out," Snitker said.

Cedar Falls advances the second round on Monday at Pleasant Valley (10-0).

The Warriors instead have to look ahead to 2014, but the view looks good.

Washington returns a lot of players from the MVC championship team, and both the Washington sophomore and freshmen teams went undefeated this fall.

"I think the future is real bright," James said.

"We'll take a couple days to dwell on this, but we'll be right back at it," Snitker said.

2013 ended up being a strong year for James, who returned to the sidelines after retiring following the 2005 season. His former coach, Mitchell, wasn't surprised.

"I knew he couldn't stay away," Mitchell said. "He loves football too much."

Mitchell, in his 47th season, ranks fourth all-time in coaching wins with 344. James is a bit further down the list with 64 wins over 12 seasons, but Mitchell praises "one of his best" former players.

"I  don't know how he's an (athletic director) and football coach," Mitchell said. "I can't remember what drawer my socks are in, much less run a school like he does. He's really something."

James still bows the wisdom of his old coach, even as he's trying to get the best of him.

"Coach Mitchell has been an icon in this league, and the state of Iowa for 4A football," James said. "He always has his teams ready to play."

CEDAR FALLS 27, WASHINGTON 10

CF    CRW
First downs             21         12
Rushes-yards        68-289    27-59
Passing yards           0         175
Comp-Att-Int        0-1-1    11-22-2
Fumbles-lost           1-0        2-1
Punts-avg.           3-37.3    3-40.3
Penalties-yards       2-20      4-25

Cedar Falls      7  13   0   7  - 27
Washington    3   0   0   7  - 10

CF - Eli Berregaard 13 run (Caleb Iehl kick).
CRW - FG Gunnar Lenzen 31.
CF - FG Iehl 27.
CF - Berregaard 8 run (Iehl kick).
CF - FG Berregaard 42.
CF - Berregaard 3 run (Iehl kick).
CRW - Landen Akers 74 pass from Reid Snitker (Lenzen kick).

Individual Statistics

Rushing
Cedar Falls - Eli Berregaard 32-137, Denison Harrington 13-80, Ben Fienup 13-52, Trey Hansen 7-20, Durrell Jackson 2-4, TEAM 1-(-4).
Washington - Reid Snitker 18-44, Johnny Dobbs 5-10, Mason Taylor 3-3, Caleb Smothers 1-2.

Passing
Cedar Falls - Trey Hansen 0-1-0-1.
Washington - Reid Snitker 11-22-175-2.

Receiving
Cedar Falls - none.
Washington - Isaiah Nimmers 5-58, Landen Akers 3-93, Clayton Bjornsen 2-19, Johnny Dobbs 1-5.