Tigers Need Win At Homestead For 2nd Crown
November 4, 2020 at 10:31 p.m.
By Steve Krah-
The Tigers bested Penn 35-18 in the Nov. 8, 2019 title game and the lights on the Fisher Field scoreboard stayed lit throughout the weekend in celebration.
Warsaw has a chance to win another sectional crown in 2020 — this time on the road.
The Tigers visit Associated Press No. 8/Indiana Football Coaches Association No. 9 Homestead in a Class 6A sectional final at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 at Walters Memorial Stadium (4310 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne).
Warsaw (8-2) and Homestead (9-1) are coming off Oct. 30 sectional semifinal victories — the Tigers 42-35 against visiting Fort Wayne Carroll and the Spartans 28-10 at home against Fort Wayne Snider.
Against Carroll, Warsaw set a single-game school record for net rushing yardage with 495 on 82 carries. The Tigers produced four “big” plays — 20 yards or more.
“Other than that it was just in chunks,” says Warsaw coach Bart Curtis, who is 24-8 in his third season leading the Tigers and 225-110 in his 30th overall. “That’s just how it worked out.”
The Tigers amassed a time of possession of 39 minutes, 38 seconds and put the ball in the end zone six times against Chargers. That left 8:22 for Carroll, which scored five times but Warsaw forced four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble recovery).
For the season, the Tigers average nearly 30 minutes per game in offensive time of possession. Altogether, Warsaw has possessed the ball almost two hours longer than their opponents.
“We feel like we’re better the less opportunities our opponents have a chance to get their hands on the ball,
The Tigers sport a 96.15 percent “red zone” efficiency rate and has scored 25 touchdowns in 26 attempts with no field goals on trips inside the opponent’s 20. Foes have 11 TD’s and one field goal in 13 times in the “red zone.”
Warsaw averages 33.9 points on offense and 25.5 on defense.
The Tigers own norms of 360.6 yards rushing and 38.7 yards passing per contest.
Warsaw season leaders are senior quarterback Aaron Greene (170 carries for 953 yards and 12 TD’s), senior fullback Juan Jaramillo (198 attempts for 880 yards and 13 TD’s), junior halfback Julius Jones (77 runs for 827 yards and six TD’s), senior halfback Patrick Zollinger (32 totes for 411 yards and four TD’s), senior halfback Colton Wampler (56 carries for 204 yards and three TD’s) and senior halfback Mason Martz (18 attempts for 145 yards and two TD’s) in rushing, Greene (17-of-35 for 320 yards and four TD’s) in passing and senior split Luke Adamiec (10 catches for 235 yards and four TD’s) in receiving.
Top total tacklers are strong safety Martz (45.5), senior linebacker Zach DeFord (42), junior lineman Luke Anderson (29.5), sophomore free safety Theo Katris (29), sophomore linebacker Zackary Diecks (28) and sophomore linebacker Nicholas Katris (25.5).
Homestead, coached by Chad Zolman (145-42 in his 17th season), averages 37.1 points on offense and 17.4 on defense.
The Spartans gain 202.6 yards per game receiving and 164.1 rushing.
“They don’t make you defend just one aspect,” says Curtis of an attack that mixes the run and pass and uses multiple formations. “What they do, they do very, very well.”
“They are a difficult outfit. They’re 9-1 for a reason.
Homestead season leaders are senior Evan Ormsby (128-of-215 for 2,198 yards and 33 touchdowns) in passing, junior Nathan Anderson (35 catches for 864 yards and 16 TD’s), senior Jared Kistler (33 receptions for 543 yards and eight TD’s), senior Ethan Chambers (23 catches for 249 yards and four TD’s) and junior Gage Sparrow (18 receptions for 247 yards and one TD) and senior Braeden Hardwick (147 carries for 953 yards and 10 TD’s), senior Nicholas Suddarth (43 attempts for 207 yards and two TD’s), Ormsby (69 runs for 152 yards and five TD’s) and Anderson (seven totes for 113 yards) in rushing.
Pacing in total tackles are seniors Luke Palmer (96), Ryan Burton (52), Trey Kreiner (52), Andrew Bear (51) and Cole Etchison (49).
Warsaw’s only 2020 losses are to Michigan City (41-21 on Aug. 28) and NorthWood (22-21 on Oct. 9). Homestead’s only setback came against Fort Wayne Northrop (25-21 in the season opener on Aug. 21.
The Tigers and Homestead both shared championships in their respective leagues — Warsaw with Mishawaka in the Northern Lakes Conference and Homestead with 5A No. 2 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger in the Summit Athletic Conference. The Spartans beat the Saints 35-34 in triple overtime Sept. 11.
Dating back to 1985, the Tigers are 16-35 in the playoffs. Homestead is 47-36 in the playoffs six sectional titles, including 2019, to go with two regionals and one semistate going back to 1978.
Warsaw and Homestead have met 17 times in the past 35 years with the Spartans winning 11 of those games.
The last time the Tigers and Spartans clashed in varsity football it was Nov. 4, 2016 in sectional play and Homestead won 52-27. John Harrell is predicting a 38-28 victory for the Spartans.
Because of COVID-19 concerns, a limited number of spectators will be allowed to attend Friday’s game.
Warsaw received 250 pre-sale tickets for spectators at $6 each and distribution to those tied to varsity players and cheerleaders began Tuesday, Nov. 3. Sales to junior varsity players and cheerleaders was slated for 7:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 5.
Any remaining tickets will to go on sale to the public 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday.
“We’re excited about how we’re playing right now,” says Curtis. “We think we’re playing our best football of the season in all facets. We’re certainly going to have to continue that uptick just be in the thing Friday night.”
Curtis says in order to avoid the contract tracing bug, players need to continue to “be smart outside of school and smart in school.”
The Tigers bested Penn 35-18 in the Nov. 8, 2019 title game and the lights on the Fisher Field scoreboard stayed lit throughout the weekend in celebration.
Warsaw has a chance to win another sectional crown in 2020 — this time on the road.
The Tigers visit Associated Press No. 8/Indiana Football Coaches Association No. 9 Homestead in a Class 6A sectional final at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 at Walters Memorial Stadium (4310 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne).
Warsaw (8-2) and Homestead (9-1) are coming off Oct. 30 sectional semifinal victories — the Tigers 42-35 against visiting Fort Wayne Carroll and the Spartans 28-10 at home against Fort Wayne Snider.
Against Carroll, Warsaw set a single-game school record for net rushing yardage with 495 on 82 carries. The Tigers produced four “big” plays — 20 yards or more.
“Other than that it was just in chunks,” says Warsaw coach Bart Curtis, who is 24-8 in his third season leading the Tigers and 225-110 in his 30th overall. “That’s just how it worked out.”
The Tigers amassed a time of possession of 39 minutes, 38 seconds and put the ball in the end zone six times against Chargers. That left 8:22 for Carroll, which scored five times but Warsaw forced four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble recovery).
For the season, the Tigers average nearly 30 minutes per game in offensive time of possession. Altogether, Warsaw has possessed the ball almost two hours longer than their opponents.
“We feel like we’re better the less opportunities our opponents have a chance to get their hands on the ball,
The Tigers sport a 96.15 percent “red zone” efficiency rate and has scored 25 touchdowns in 26 attempts with no field goals on trips inside the opponent’s 20. Foes have 11 TD’s and one field goal in 13 times in the “red zone.”
Warsaw averages 33.9 points on offense and 25.5 on defense.
The Tigers own norms of 360.6 yards rushing and 38.7 yards passing per contest.
Warsaw season leaders are senior quarterback Aaron Greene (170 carries for 953 yards and 12 TD’s), senior fullback Juan Jaramillo (198 attempts for 880 yards and 13 TD’s), junior halfback Julius Jones (77 runs for 827 yards and six TD’s), senior halfback Patrick Zollinger (32 totes for 411 yards and four TD’s), senior halfback Colton Wampler (56 carries for 204 yards and three TD’s) and senior halfback Mason Martz (18 attempts for 145 yards and two TD’s) in rushing, Greene (17-of-35 for 320 yards and four TD’s) in passing and senior split Luke Adamiec (10 catches for 235 yards and four TD’s) in receiving.
Top total tacklers are strong safety Martz (45.5), senior linebacker Zach DeFord (42), junior lineman Luke Anderson (29.5), sophomore free safety Theo Katris (29), sophomore linebacker Zackary Diecks (28) and sophomore linebacker Nicholas Katris (25.5).
Homestead, coached by Chad Zolman (145-42 in his 17th season), averages 37.1 points on offense and 17.4 on defense.
The Spartans gain 202.6 yards per game receiving and 164.1 rushing.
“They don’t make you defend just one aspect,” says Curtis of an attack that mixes the run and pass and uses multiple formations. “What they do, they do very, very well.”
“They are a difficult outfit. They’re 9-1 for a reason.
Homestead season leaders are senior Evan Ormsby (128-of-215 for 2,198 yards and 33 touchdowns) in passing, junior Nathan Anderson (35 catches for 864 yards and 16 TD’s), senior Jared Kistler (33 receptions for 543 yards and eight TD’s), senior Ethan Chambers (23 catches for 249 yards and four TD’s) and junior Gage Sparrow (18 receptions for 247 yards and one TD) and senior Braeden Hardwick (147 carries for 953 yards and 10 TD’s), senior Nicholas Suddarth (43 attempts for 207 yards and two TD’s), Ormsby (69 runs for 152 yards and five TD’s) and Anderson (seven totes for 113 yards) in rushing.
Pacing in total tackles are seniors Luke Palmer (96), Ryan Burton (52), Trey Kreiner (52), Andrew Bear (51) and Cole Etchison (49).
Warsaw’s only 2020 losses are to Michigan City (41-21 on Aug. 28) and NorthWood (22-21 on Oct. 9). Homestead’s only setback came against Fort Wayne Northrop (25-21 in the season opener on Aug. 21.
The Tigers and Homestead both shared championships in their respective leagues — Warsaw with Mishawaka in the Northern Lakes Conference and Homestead with 5A No. 2 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger in the Summit Athletic Conference. The Spartans beat the Saints 35-34 in triple overtime Sept. 11.
Dating back to 1985, the Tigers are 16-35 in the playoffs. Homestead is 47-36 in the playoffs six sectional titles, including 2019, to go with two regionals and one semistate going back to 1978.
Warsaw and Homestead have met 17 times in the past 35 years with the Spartans winning 11 of those games.
The last time the Tigers and Spartans clashed in varsity football it was Nov. 4, 2016 in sectional play and Homestead won 52-27. John Harrell is predicting a 38-28 victory for the Spartans.
Because of COVID-19 concerns, a limited number of spectators will be allowed to attend Friday’s game.
Warsaw received 250 pre-sale tickets for spectators at $6 each and distribution to those tied to varsity players and cheerleaders began Tuesday, Nov. 3. Sales to junior varsity players and cheerleaders was slated for 7:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 5.
Any remaining tickets will to go on sale to the public 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday.
“We’re excited about how we’re playing right now,” says Curtis. “We think we’re playing our best football of the season in all facets. We’re certainly going to have to continue that uptick just be in the thing Friday night.”
Curtis says in order to avoid the contract tracing bug, players need to continue to “be smart outside of school and smart in school.”
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