WASHINGTON — Two early-season losses taught Washington a few important lessons.

“We had all the pieces at first,” Washington senior Noah Bell said following Friday’s 31-10 win over state-ranked Mid-Illini Conference visitor Dunlap. “We were still just trying to get things figured. Our first few games, we definitely showed our bright spots, but we also showed where we were weak in.

“We made sure to toughen those spots up, and here we are now.”

Washington has put those two defeats to Maple Park Kaneland and Kankakee behind them.

The Panthers (5-2, 5-0) became playoff eligible with the Dunlap victory, while now riding a five-game winning streak. Two more conference victories would make Washington the first back-to-back undefeated M-I champions since Metamora had five undefeated league campaigns from 2004-2008.

And its the defense playing a huge role in jumpstarting the current run.

“They came to play,” Washington coach Todd Stevens said of his team who is allowing 6.4 points a game in M-I play. “Little worried about some of the matchups. (Dunlap’s) got some tools.

“We want to play (teams) that are going to test. That will put us in better positions to defend teams like this in the future. When we get in the heart of the Mid-Illini, we’re going to need it, and we did.”

Potentially, the biggest mismatch for Washington coming into the contest was defending Dunlap junior tight end Mack Sutter. But the 6-foot-6, 225-pound Division-I recruit was held without a catch. Panthers defensive back A.J. Jones shadowed the four-star prospect, who had a team-high 26 catches and six touchdowns through the first six games.

Mack Sutter: Where the Dunlap four-star recruit is headed this weekend

“We knew they had big guys up front,” said Bell, who is a 6-foot-1, 255-pound defensive lineman. “Obviously, some bigger name players outside, but I’m very proud of all 11 guys out there. Our scout (team) guys all week on offense, they gave us a good look, and that’s what happens when you got good players going hard at practice each and every day.”

Washington played a three-man defensive front for most of the game, subbing in and out multiple players to keep them fresh. This helped bottle up the Dunlap offense, which gained 246 total yards (145 rushing, 101 passing) — nearly 100 below their season average.

A week of studying film, especially Eagles quarterback John Bargen and his ability to make the tough throws, were a key component to the gameplay, according to Washington senior Carter Prina.

“Overall, coach Stevens and our defense put a good product on the field,” the 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive lineman said. “He put us in a position to be successful on the field, so credit to him.”

Bargen completed his first five passes for 54 yards, but he finished 10-for-24 with 101 yards and a touchdown.

“A couple times he got out of the pocket,” Stevens said, “when you give that guy a lot of time, he can really find receivers. He’s a smart kid.”

Washington running back Hunter Reed was huge on the ground, rushing for 228 yards on 28 carries and four TDs. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior now has 969 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season, while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. His first rush of the game went 75 yards for a touchdown as he followed the blocking of offensive lineman Sean Thornton, Jackson Stewart, Josh Hoffer, Cash Wisher and Jacob Gauf.

“I saw the hole,” Reed said. “The hole was wide open and then a cut-back lane caught my eye, so I took it, and it was just off to the races after that.”

WEEK 7 COVERAGE: Scoreboard | Highlights and recap | Top performers | Takeaways

For Class 6A No. 10 Dunlap (5-2, 3-2), Jackson Oldham ran for 131 yards on 25 totes and Dawson Marmion caught six passes for 55 yards including a 20-yard TD. Tyler Shane’s 32-yard field goal on the game’s opening drive provided the Eagles with their other points.

Devin Miller, the Washington junior placekicker, set a school record with a 52-yard field goal as the first half ended.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA football scores: Washington Panthers defeat Dunlap Eagles