Tigers Hold Off Early Effort By Wawasee, Keep ‘W’ Trophy
Tigers Hold Off Early Effort By Wawasee, Keep ‘W’ Trophy
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Chip Davenport-
Tigers Hold Off Early Effort By Wawasee, Keep ‘W’ TrophyThe Wawasee Warriors marched 80 yards to pay dirt in 14 plays on their opening drive to jump on Warsaw in Friday night’s annual football clash for the “W” trophy at Fisher Field. The Tigers were able to put things back in order the rest of the way en route to a 42-18 homecoming victory.
Warrior quarterback Parker Young’s 1-yard touchdown run surprised Warsaw, but the Tigers took the reigns in an early back-and forth contest.
Wawasee put together four scoring drives (two Young touchdowns, two Evan Dippon filed goals) in a greatly improved offensive effort, according to Warrior head coach Jon Reutebuch.
“We’re really proud of our boys they played really hard, came out from the get-go. They were ready to play tonight, and our offensive line took some steps forward and gave us time to throw the football,” Reutabuch said.
Warsaw coach Bart Curtis said he knew his team was in for a tough battle.
“They came out to play as we knew they would,” Curtis said. “We were in a dog fight for two or three quarters.”
Young completed 12-25 passes for 137 yards and added 58 net rushing yards, responsible for 190 of the Warriors 274 total yards. Young found open spots in the flat for most of his passing yards, with Ethan Garza snaring eight catches for 82 yards. They didn’t do this alone, though.
“Everyone stepped up their game tonight and we took a big step forward,” Reutebuch said. “That intensity and that effort, if we carry that forward, we are going to win the next two games (Memorial, Goshen).”
The improved effort wasn’t enough for a Warrior win, as the Tigers were efficient on offense. Warsaw scored on six of eight possessions.
Juan Jaramillo, rested for most of last weeks’ win over Goshen, and quarterback Wyatt Amiss each scored three rushing touchdowns for the Tigers; the most exciting among them a 34-yard TD run by Amiss. From there the Tigers started sprinkling reserves on offense and defense the remainder of the game.
Jaramillo (29 carries, 195 yards), Amiss (10-105), Keagan Larsh (5-48) and Colton Wampler (6-44) led Tiger rushers who with help from two other ball carriers amassed 413 rushing yards. The Tigers did not attempt any passes.
The Tigers had three scoring drives that took less than three minutes, putting to rest the theory of option football being a slow grind.
“We didn’t play terribly, but again we could not get off the field. I know they had 38 snaps in the first half, and it’s a lot. But in the second half aside from the fake punt we played pretty admirably,” said Curtis.”
The fake punt was courtesy of Young, who fooled the Tigers with a 54-yard run to the Warsaw 3-yard line setting up his second TD run of the night in the third quarter.
Mario Cortes, a Warsaw junior defensive lineman, sacked Young twice.
The Tigers (6-1, 4-1 in the NLC) host NorthWood for Senior Night Friday. Wawasee (1-6, 0-4) hosts Elkhart Memorial.
