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Coming off of an upset win over Fort Wayne Snider in last week’s season opener, the Warsaw football team looked to make it two for two on Friday night, hosting 6A powerhouse Warren Central at Fisher Field. The Tigers got down big early, but never quit, flirting with a comeback attempt in a 28-14 loss.
“There was a lot that I saw that I liked tonight. Our kids battled for all 48 minutes and never quit. I’m proud of them for that,” Warsaw head coach Bart Curtis said after the game. “At the end of the day, we had the ball down seven in the fourth quarter, and you can’t really ask for much more than that.”
Despite starting the opening drive at their own seven-yard line, the Warriors needed just over two minutes to go all 93 yards required to reach the end zone on their first drive of the night. Warren Central was able to get whatever they wanted on this drive, using a quick tempo to wear out the home team and then taking advantage with big chunk plays.
After an awfully quick three-and-out, a bad drive turned into a disastrous one. In punt formation, the snap went soaring over the head of Fisher Whitaker, who had no choice but to track it down and dive on top of it. The result: a loss of 27 yards and the Warriors beginning their next drive inside the Warsaw 10.
Even with everything going against them so far, the Tigers kept their chins held high and came up with a massive stop. After keeping the visitors out of the end zone on the first three tries, the ensuing kick went wide right, leaving Warren Central scoreless on a drive that started so close to the end zone and giving a bit of that momentum back to Warsaw in the process.
After struggling mightily on their opening drive, the Tigers were able to find a lot more success on their second try. Two big runs by Daylon Fitzpatrick and Wyatt Harman helped put the home side into Warrior territory as the first quarter concluded.
They also had a lot of help from the undisciplined defense of the visitors. Warren Central was called for an offsides penalty four times in the opening quarter, two of those resulting in first down.
The drive would not result in points though, as the first play of the second quarter saw quarterback Quinton Brock throw an interception. After a 62-yard return, the field had completely flipped. Three plays later, running back Keyon Thomas was in for his second score of the night.
“That one was on me. I called for it because I thought there was something there that wasn’t and we paid for it,” Curtis said.
Looking to remain in striking distance at halftime, the Tigers took the air out of the football and attempted to burn some clock on their next drive. Another big run by Harman put the team near the red zone once more, but for the second straight drive, things would stall there. A turnover on downs would give it back to the Warriors.
Junior Tucker Reed breaks through the tackle attempt of Warren Central's Jordyn Adams during the second quarter...Nieter
It didn’t take long for the visitors to take advantage. A couple of big passing plays later, including one of the 19-yard variety for the score, and it was suddenly 21-0, where it would remain at the half.
“They are a very talented team. A very physical one,” Curtis said. “They play angry and they play with an intensity level that we’re going to need to reach at some point.”
Despite being held scoreless in the first half, the Tigers had put together some positive drives. Compounding off of that to begin the third quarter, everything finally came together. The big play of the drive was a long passing play from Brock to Brody Duncan to put the home team in business. Afterwards, they’d use the option to perfection, converting on a pair of third downs and a fourth before Brock scampered into the end zone from three yards out. A pitch to Harman for a two-point conversion made it 21-8.
After the Warsaw defense came up big with a three-and-out, the Tigers got the ball right back. Facing another fourth down, Brock pitched the ball to Tucker Reed, who made it to the outside, changed direction and was gone. It wasn’t until 63 yards later that he’d finally be tackled at the two. A couple of plays later, Fitzpatrick punched it in for the second score of the quarter. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but the dynamic of this game had completely changed.
“The message was simple at halftime. Play better,” Curtis said. “I was really thrilled to see our defense get two big stops to give us a shot.”
Whatever had possessed the home side coming out of the break continued as they got back on defense. After giving up just one first down, they’d shut down the visitors once more, forcing the second punt of the quarter. After giving the ball back, this time the visitors were ready defensively, getting the ball back early in the fourth quarter.
What followed was the biggest drive of the game. A score for the visitors would make it awfully difficult for the home team to finish off the comeback. A stop would give the Tigers another prime chance at winning this game. The Warriors left the game in the hands of Thomas, the junior back who had torched Warsaw all night long. This drive was no different, as he covered most of the ground necessary for Warren Central to score another touchdown and go up 28-14 with a little under five minutes to go.
Even with the odds stacked against them, the Tigers never quit. Their following drive, their last of the game, ended just outside of the red zone. Brock did his best to orchestrate one last touchdown drive, but the defense of the visitors was just too much in the end, forcing one final turnover on downs.
Warsaw (1-1) begins Northern Lakes Conference play next week at Goshen. When asked how his team is going to get back in the win column, Curtis’ answer was simple:
“Play better and be who we are.”
