Tigers Waste No Time Building On 2018 SuccessThe 2019 Warsaw Tigers aren’t going to let grass grow under their feet after their 7-3 season in 2018.
Hall of Fame Coach Bart Curtis completed his 28th year of coaching and his first year at the helm of the Tiger program introducing the triple option offense to all levels of the Tiger scholastic and feeder programs. Coupled with an aggressive, fly-to-the-ball defensive playing style through the end of the season when a sectional loss to perennial power Penn ended their 2018 campaign.
The stellar defense created opportunities for the Tigers’ offense, and the unit held opponents to 12.6 points per game.
“Fortunately, our defense was good enough to allow our offense to grow a little bit.” Curtis said of the unit that graduated seven starters.
The Tigers hit the weight room in the offseason with a competitive spirit, holding periodic combines. The presence of multi-sport athletes active in their winter and spring sports noticeably increased.
“95% of our kids attended zero hour in the offseason,” said Curtis. “It’s hard to walk away from something you have committed to with blood, sweat, and tears.”
The Tigers swiftly addressed the openings mixed with an open canvas (front seven) and reliable, interchangeable parts that comprise the defensive backfield and offensive skill positions.
Senior linebacker Gage Lyon is the only returning starter from the front seven. He’ll hold down one outside linebacker spot. Junior Zach DeFord will fill the middle linebacker spot. Seniors Skyler Knisely and Jayton Brock continue to compete for the remaining linebacker spot.
The defensive ends are senior Parker Davenport and junior Jacob Hawn. Juniors Andres Adame and Mario Cortes complete the defensive line. All four athletes are competing for their first varsity start.
“They aren’t as big, but they might be a little faster.” Curtis said.Additional front seven personnel who made noticeable progress in recent practices are juniors Zeke Reed and Zach Ransbottom.
The defensive backfield is an experienced, versatile group with interchangeable parts. Five players return with starting experience from last season. Senior Blake Marsh was all Northen Lakes Conference last year, Junior Mason Martz and senior Jack Williamson will each see action at safety. Luke Adamiec and Caden Silveus will be the cornerbacks. Those five will get help from senior Keagan Larsh.
“Get everybody in the right spot moving forward for the good of the team and the program,” Curtis said.
Offensively, the Tigers graduated nearly 2,400 yards rushing among three offensive backs.
The 2019 Tiger offense returns four of its five starting offensive linemen. Brock Hueber, a senior center and all-ocnference selection last year, returns with seniors Jake Desenberg and Griffin Reed at guard, and senior Austin Meads at tackle. Others competing for the remaining tackle position are seniors Kyle Miller and Angel Mendez, and junior Dallas Anders.
Sophomores who’ve been competing for playing time include Noah Chew, Trace Stookey and Cameron Fairchild.
The triple option allows opportunities for the ends to get open for big yardage. Adamiec is a good example with three catches, 92 yards and three TDs last year. He and Williamson will start this year with seniors Alex Jordan and Jacob Chivington getting some additional reps. Sophomore Jackson Dawson has also seen scrimmage and practice reps as well.
Martz (4 catches, 97 yards) will move to one of the halfback-by committee positions in 2019 joining Marsh, Larsh, and junior Patrick Zollinger. Sophomore Julius Jones will push for playing time. Five of the starters mentioned among the offensive backs and ends will see action on both sides of the football.
“We aren’t at the point yet where we are a two-platoon system. We’re more of a 1½ platoon system this year.” Curtis said.
Juan Jaramillo, the leading returning rusher with 299 yards last year, will get a bigger workload. Curtis said junior Colton Wampler will see some reps at fullback, and so will Cortes.
Wyatt Amiss, a versatile halfback who demonstrated strengths in running, blocking, receiving and even passing, will play quarterback this season. Aaron Green and Jackson Dawson round out the quarterback prospects.
“I wouldn’t feel that uncomfortable if Jackson Dawson were on the field,” Curtis said. “We have three good kids.”
Special teams feature senior punter and place kicker Harrison Mevis, who has already been slated to play in the Under Armour All-American football game in January 2020. “Knowing that we have Harrison Mevis makes me sleep a little better at night.” Curtis said.
Curtis also commented on his view of the 2019 team’s progress.
“Fundamentally, execution-wise, we are ahead of where we were last year. Athletically, it’s still a toss-up. We all need to do a better job of practicing a little better from player one to player 99.”
