Area High School Football Previews For Week 9
October 14, 2020 at 11:32 p.m.
By Anthony Anderson & Steve Krah-
Concord (4-3, 2-3 NLC)
at Warsaw (6-2, 5-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Fisher Field, Warsaw.
Series (last 35 years): Concord, 20-15.
John Harrell’s prediction: Warsaw, 31-24.
Last meeting: Oct. 18, 2019, Concord 28-24.
Last time Wawasee won: Oct. 12, 2018, 45-3.
About Concord: Coach Craig Koehler’s Minutemen lost 55-20 to Northridge Oct. 9. Hunter Dutton completed 21-of-37 passes for 394 yards with touchdown passes of 80 yards to Amarion Moore, 69 to Jack D’Arcy and 22 to Zaven Koltookian …Concord averages 22.3 points per game on offense and 21.3 on defense … The Minutemen have won three of the last four games, seven of the last nine and 12 of the last 16 against the Tigers.
About Warsaw: Bart Curtis’ Tigers lost 22-21 to NorthWood Oct. 9. Juan Jaramillo rushed 26 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns (4 and 5 yards). The other TD was scored by Julius Jones (22-yard run) … Season leaders are Jones (59 carries for 718 yards and four TD’s), Aaron Greene (122 attempts for 705 yards and 10 TD’s), Jaramillo (140 tries for 639 yards and 10 TD’s) and Patrick Zollinger (21 runs for 223 yards and two TD’s) rushing, Greene (13-of-30 for 227 yards and two TD’s) passing and Luke Adamiec (eight catches for 163 yards and two TD’s) receiving … Pacing in total tackles are Mason Martz (42.5 with one sack and five tackles for loss), Zach DeFord (32.5), Zackary Diecks (26.5 with one sack and two quarterback hurries), Theo Katris (24.5) and Luke Anderson (24 with three sacks and six QB hurries) … Warsaw averages 34.4 points per game on offense and 25.4 on defense … The Tigers gain 352.0 yards per game on the ground and 36.8 through the air. Opponents’ norms are 156.1 rushing and 119.9 passing … Warsaw has converted 53-of-91 third downs and 14-of-24 fourth downs as opposed to 31-of-75 and 11-of-18 for their foes … The Tigers are 49-35 since moving from Lakeview Middle School in 2005 and 20-7 at home since turf was installed in 2016.
Per Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Concord: We’re going to have to play really well to be conference champions … (Concord’s) quarterback (Hunter Dutton) has a strong arm. He’s very accurate. They present some problems … They are really well-coached really play hard defensively. Mishawaka is similar in mode of operation to us. They gave Mishawaka some fits, especially early … This week that trophy is there for us. We’re calling it an ‘elimination’ game. If we don’t take care of business, they eliminate the trophy.
Assessment: We’ve played better at times than I think we are. We’ve played below at times what I think we are … You get what you give in this game. What you end up with is what you deserve … Our kids deserve to come out and play their very best Friday. We have to do that. It’s not just going to happen … The thing about this staff and this group of players. We’re not going to allow finger-pointing … We’re not going to make excuses. Our standards are high and our expectations are high … This group can accomplish some tremendous things if we can eliminate the silly mistakes.
NorthWood game: We played really hard. It wasn’t a lack of effort. Our kids got after it. We had some untimely mistakes and penalties … NorthWood played really hard and really well. They have a young team. They had to start a lot of sophomores. They play a lot of kids two ways and they do it smartly. Their kids never take a play off and they don’t have stupid penalties.
Tippecanoe Valley (6-2, 6-1 TRC)
at Southwood (8-0, 6-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Waggoner Field.
Series: Valley leads 26-17.
Last meeting: Southwood won 21-7, Oct. 18, 2019.
Last Valley win: 45-0, Sept. 7, 2012.
John Harrell’s prediction: Southwood, 31-21.
About Valley: With a win, the Vikings finish atop the TRC outright in this year of slightly unbalanced schedules and claim the program’s first conference crown since sharing with Rochester in 2012. The last two years, Valley entered the final week of the regular season with a chance to tie the Knights for a title, but fell 21-20 in OT in 2018 and 21-7 a year ago. … The Vikings’ Hunter Eherenman suffered a season-ending leg injury in the third quarter of last week’s 48-18 win over Manchester. A two-way regular, Eherenman leads Valley in takeaways from his DB spot at five, and he ran for 112 yards against the Squires. … Jamasyn Virgil continues to pace the Vikings in rushing with 662 yards on just 78 carries (8.5 average) with six TDs. … QB Branson McBrier is 53-of-94 passing for 1,012 yards with 14 TDs against four picks. Receiver Rex Kirchenstien has 17 catches for 443 yards and five scores.
About Southwood: The Class 1A No. 3-ranked Knights are seeking to complete their third straight perfect regular season. They also own the state’s third-best overall record over the last four years at 40-4. … Southwood has outscored its six TRC victims 240-38 with the closest game being 25-8 over Northfield. … Star QB Alex Farr is 93-of-160 throwing for 1,547 yards with 21 touchdowns against seven picks, and has added another 424 yards on the ground with seven TDs. … Favorite targets Carson Rich and Logan Barley have combined for 55 catches, 871 yards and 14 TDs. … Rich also owns four interceptions and a fumble recovery on the defensive side, where Southwood has 16 takeaways.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “We got off to a slow start (trailing 12-7 through one quarter). Turnovers hurt (five in all, though Valley also had six takeaways), but once we finally got settled in, our offensive line was really rolling. We had two backs over 100 yards (and 424 rushing as a team). We were able to move the ball well.”
On Southwood — “I think our alignments, being able to line up correctly, and being sure we’re all on the same page is going to be huge, especially when it comes to coverages. Southwood gets the ball off so quickly. Their offense is hard to stop. We have to play assignment football and we can’t turn the ball over.”
On playing for a TRC title — “I think it’s been one of our players’ goals for a long time, so for them to have the opportunity is special. It’s the third straight year it’s come down to us and Southwood, so I think we’re kind of anxious. Playing at Southwood (where the Knights have won 18 straight since a Sept. 8, 2017 loss), that’s a huge challenge. They haven’t lost a regular-season game (anywhere) in the last three years.”
Manchester (2-6, 2-5 TRC) at Peru (6-2, 5-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Bengal Field.
Series: Tied 3-3.
Last meeting: Manchester won 27-13, Oct. 18, 2019.
Last Peru win: 41-40, Sept. 8, 2017.
John Harrell’s prediction: Peru, 35-21.
About Manchester: After getting Braxton Ream back last week following a two-game absence, the Squires lost their star running back again early in the second quarter against Tippecanoe Valley when he reinjured the same shoulder. Ream, who had 39 yards on 11 carries at the time, will not play this week, per coach Alyx Brandewie, who’s hoping to have the junior for next week’s sectional opener against Wabash. Linebacker/safety Anthony Foust (concussion) will be out as well. … Manchester sophomore QB Brock Casper is 95-of-185 throwing for 1,430 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 picks. Junior wideout Seth Gaerte has 37 receptions for 727 yards with eight TDs. … Junior safety Dylan Stroud has intercepted four passes over the last three weeks.
About Peru: The Tigers feature the dual-headed ground attack of Brayden Masters (100 carries, 796 yards, seven touchdowns) and quarterback Levi Strong (129 keepers, 733 yards, seven TDs). … Strong’s also 31-of-54 through the air for 388 yards, but with seven picks against three touchdowns. … Sure-fire kicker Zachary Johnson is 25-of-25 on extra points and 6-of-8 on field goals with a long of 40. … Peru is looking to improve to 4-0 at home.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “We did some things well early (leading Valley 12-7 through one quarter before losing 48-18), but didn’t sustain that momentum offensively or defensively. We’re just not very deep and when you get in a grind-it-out football game against a team like Valley, that’s tough to overcome, but I was proud of the kids.”
On Peru — “The thing that sticks out is that the improvement from last year (when the Tigers went 6-6) to this year is obvious. Coach (Romison) Saint-Louis is doing a great job, and they have good football players all over the field. They’ve got disciplined players who do their jobs really well.”
On Stroud — “He’s a heck of a kid. He was a state wrestler last year as a sophomore. Someone might say, ‘Yeah, he wrestled in a small weight class, but how’s he going to survive the football field,’ but he brings that wrestler mentality that never says die. He’s been a critical piece for us against the pass and coming up in run support.”
Goshen (1-4, 0-3 Northern Lakes Conference) at Wawasee (2-6, 0-6)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Warrior Stadium, Syracuse.
Series (last 35 years): Goshen, 24-12.
John Harrell’s prediction: Wawasee, 24-23.
Last meeting: Oct. 18, 2019, Wawasee 28-23.
Last time Goshen won: Oct. 14, 2016, 41-34.
About Goshen: Coach Kyle Park’s RedHawks lost 49-7 to Lafayette Harrison Oct. 9 … Season leaders are Drew Worthman (44 carries for 133 yards and two TD’s) and Quinn Bechtel (25 runs for 91 yards and three TD’s) rushing, Colin Turner (60-of-101 for 686 yards and five TD’s) passing and Brayden Hinkel (10 catches for 253 yards for three TD’s), Noah Alford (17 receptions for 143 yards) and Liam Deegan (11 catches for 110 yards and two TD’s) … Total tackle leaders are Roman Schrock (62), Isaac Sawatzky (47), Ruben Lopez (34), Duncan Green (34) and Mitch Daniels (34) … Goshen averages 19.0 points per game on offense and 31.4 on defense.
About Wawasee: Concord Jon Reutebuch’s Warriors lost 42-7 to Mishawaka Oct. 9 … Wawasee averages 14.5 points per game on offense and 26.0 on defense … The winner of the Goshen-Wawasee game will take the WarHawk Trophy … Wawasee has won its last three games against Goshen.
Per Wawasee coach Jon Reutebuch:
On Goshen: I like at a time that’s kind of in the same position we are (looking for an NLC win). It should be a great football game … They’re doing a lot of similar things on offense. They like to throw a lot. The defenses are both finding their way. They’re coming off a tough loss and so are we.
Surveying the season: I thought we’d be more competitive in some of our tougher games. We’re still looking to cross that threshold of a ‘program’ win — that signature win that kind of puts you over the top … I thought our running game would be more effective this year than it has been. We’ve got more lineman depth this year. But we’ve had some injuries and some guys moved around … This is only Year 2 and with the COVID thing hitting last spring until now, it’s restricted our chances of developing and when you’re trying to rebuild a program that’s even more key … Limiting our strength training in the spring and most of the summer and limiting the development of our players has set us back a bit in players development — more than I thought it would … On a more positive note, I’m very pleased and impressed with the way our kids have handled the chaos of this COVID situation and persevered throughout the season. (Wawasee and Warsaw are the only two NLC teams that have been able to play all the games on their schedule) …
People are doing the right thing with COVID precautions.
Mishawaka game: It’s a game of missed opportunities. We had a 16-play drive and a 12-play drive that ended up with no points and we had two interceptions that were in the Red Zone. That really hurt us as far as the scoreboard goes … We moved the ball up and down the field between the 20’s. We just had a hard time once we got in the Red Zone putting the ball in the end zone.
Winamac (4-2, 2-2 Hoosier North) at Triton (3-4, 2-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Triton High School, Bourbon.
Series (last 35 years): Triton, 5-3.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 24-21.
Last meeting: Oct. 18, 2019, Winamac 23-20.
Last time Triton won: Oct. 26, 2018, 48-18.
About Winamac: Coach John Hendryx’s Warriors beat Caston 28-8 Oct. 9 … Winamac averages 23.2 points per game on offense and 13.0 on defense … Junior Russell Compton is a three-year starter at quarterback.
About Triton: Coach Rodney Younis’ Trojans lost 22-18 to Knox Oct. 9 … Triton averages 17.3 points per game on offense and 25.9 on defense
Per Triton coach Rodney Younis:
On Winamac: Winamac is another solid program. They’ve got a really good quarterback (in Compton). We’re going to have to be sure we’re doing our part to keep him in he pocket because he is a good scrambler. We have to shore up our pass coverage on defense. That was the Achilles (Heel) Friday night (against Knox). We have to make sure we don’t give him wide-open looks. We need to close those gaps … Our front seven needs to do their part as well. Our down linemen have done a great job all year with our run defense. We’re asking them to step up and also be good pass rushers for us as well.
Getting better: We’re definitely pleased with our progress. We’d like to win more games than where we’re at, but with a young group we have, we’re seeing the improvement we were hoping to see.
Knox game: I was pleased with our effort. We came out and we played hard. We did a lot of good things. When you play a team of their caliber, you have to play perfect and we had a couple of costly mistakes … Bottom line is we’re making our strides. We’re improving. We just need to shore some areas up.
Whitko (4-4, 3-4 TRC) at Wabash (4-4, 3-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Alumni Field.
Series: Whitko leads 12-3.
Last meeting: Wabash won 26-14, Oct. 18 2019.
Last Whitko win: 30-24, Sept. 19, 2014.
John Harrell’s prediction: Wabash, 31-24.
About Whitko: The Wildcats, coming off a 34-7 loss to Northfield, are looking to improve to 4-0 away from home, which would give them their first unbeaten regular road season since 2010. … Cade Berg continues to lead Whitko in rushing yards (485 on 87 carries with five TDs) and is one of three pass targets, along with Isaiah Kyles and Drake Lewis, who have divided 57 catches for 1,131 yards and 12 TDs almost evenly. … QB Ethan Schuh is 79-of-149 passing for 1,375 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. … The Wildcats and Greensburg are the only two teams in the state that have exactly alternated wins and losses through their first eight games.
About Wabash: The Apaches will be playing just their third home game, where they’re 1-1. … QB Joe Leland is 109-of-172 for 1,622 yards with 13 touchdowns against 10 picks in seven contests. Top target Bryant Boggs has 54 catches for 763 yards and eight scores. … The Wabash defense has racked up 24 takeaways, including four interceptions by junior corner Brayden Sickafus, and 53 tackles for loss, including 19 by junior end Chad Wyatt. … Prior to beating Whitko each of the last three years, the Apaches trailed the all-time series 12-0.
Whitko coach Phil Jensen:
On last week — “We had two stops inside the red zone before the half to keep us competitive, then a big (takeaway) and score to get it down to 20-7 going into the fourth quarter, but then we didn’t execute and it kind of looks like a blowout, which it was, but it’s frustrating, because we’re just a few plays from getting over the hump.”
On Wabash — “They’re a little different. A lot of teams in our conference like to run the ball, but they’ll spread you out and throw it, which is good, because we’ll also see that next week (in the sectional opener at Fort Wayne Luers). We also get to play on a turf field, which will be good for us.”
On 5-4 vs. 4-5 entering sectional — “Yeah, I suppose that might sound better, but either way, what I’m trying to get through to our kids and our community is I don’t want to be happy with where we’re at. I want us to be hungry for more. OK, we’ve done well compared to the last couple years (Whitko went 1-29 over the three seasons preceding this one), but let’s be hungry.”
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Concord (4-3, 2-3 NLC)
at Warsaw (6-2, 5-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Fisher Field, Warsaw.
Series (last 35 years): Concord, 20-15.
John Harrell’s prediction: Warsaw, 31-24.
Last meeting: Oct. 18, 2019, Concord 28-24.
Last time Wawasee won: Oct. 12, 2018, 45-3.
About Concord: Coach Craig Koehler’s Minutemen lost 55-20 to Northridge Oct. 9. Hunter Dutton completed 21-of-37 passes for 394 yards with touchdown passes of 80 yards to Amarion Moore, 69 to Jack D’Arcy and 22 to Zaven Koltookian …Concord averages 22.3 points per game on offense and 21.3 on defense … The Minutemen have won three of the last four games, seven of the last nine and 12 of the last 16 against the Tigers.
About Warsaw: Bart Curtis’ Tigers lost 22-21 to NorthWood Oct. 9. Juan Jaramillo rushed 26 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns (4 and 5 yards). The other TD was scored by Julius Jones (22-yard run) … Season leaders are Jones (59 carries for 718 yards and four TD’s), Aaron Greene (122 attempts for 705 yards and 10 TD’s), Jaramillo (140 tries for 639 yards and 10 TD’s) and Patrick Zollinger (21 runs for 223 yards and two TD’s) rushing, Greene (13-of-30 for 227 yards and two TD’s) passing and Luke Adamiec (eight catches for 163 yards and two TD’s) receiving … Pacing in total tackles are Mason Martz (42.5 with one sack and five tackles for loss), Zach DeFord (32.5), Zackary Diecks (26.5 with one sack and two quarterback hurries), Theo Katris (24.5) and Luke Anderson (24 with three sacks and six QB hurries) … Warsaw averages 34.4 points per game on offense and 25.4 on defense … The Tigers gain 352.0 yards per game on the ground and 36.8 through the air. Opponents’ norms are 156.1 rushing and 119.9 passing … Warsaw has converted 53-of-91 third downs and 14-of-24 fourth downs as opposed to 31-of-75 and 11-of-18 for their foes … The Tigers are 49-35 since moving from Lakeview Middle School in 2005 and 20-7 at home since turf was installed in 2016.
Per Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Concord: We’re going to have to play really well to be conference champions … (Concord’s) quarterback (Hunter Dutton) has a strong arm. He’s very accurate. They present some problems … They are really well-coached really play hard defensively. Mishawaka is similar in mode of operation to us. They gave Mishawaka some fits, especially early … This week that trophy is there for us. We’re calling it an ‘elimination’ game. If we don’t take care of business, they eliminate the trophy.
Assessment: We’ve played better at times than I think we are. We’ve played below at times what I think we are … You get what you give in this game. What you end up with is what you deserve … Our kids deserve to come out and play their very best Friday. We have to do that. It’s not just going to happen … The thing about this staff and this group of players. We’re not going to allow finger-pointing … We’re not going to make excuses. Our standards are high and our expectations are high … This group can accomplish some tremendous things if we can eliminate the silly mistakes.
NorthWood game: We played really hard. It wasn’t a lack of effort. Our kids got after it. We had some untimely mistakes and penalties … NorthWood played really hard and really well. They have a young team. They had to start a lot of sophomores. They play a lot of kids two ways and they do it smartly. Their kids never take a play off and they don’t have stupid penalties.
Tippecanoe Valley (6-2, 6-1 TRC)
at Southwood (8-0, 6-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Waggoner Field.
Series: Valley leads 26-17.
Last meeting: Southwood won 21-7, Oct. 18, 2019.
Last Valley win: 45-0, Sept. 7, 2012.
John Harrell’s prediction: Southwood, 31-21.
About Valley: With a win, the Vikings finish atop the TRC outright in this year of slightly unbalanced schedules and claim the program’s first conference crown since sharing with Rochester in 2012. The last two years, Valley entered the final week of the regular season with a chance to tie the Knights for a title, but fell 21-20 in OT in 2018 and 21-7 a year ago. … The Vikings’ Hunter Eherenman suffered a season-ending leg injury in the third quarter of last week’s 48-18 win over Manchester. A two-way regular, Eherenman leads Valley in takeaways from his DB spot at five, and he ran for 112 yards against the Squires. … Jamasyn Virgil continues to pace the Vikings in rushing with 662 yards on just 78 carries (8.5 average) with six TDs. … QB Branson McBrier is 53-of-94 passing for 1,012 yards with 14 TDs against four picks. Receiver Rex Kirchenstien has 17 catches for 443 yards and five scores.
About Southwood: The Class 1A No. 3-ranked Knights are seeking to complete their third straight perfect regular season. They also own the state’s third-best overall record over the last four years at 40-4. … Southwood has outscored its six TRC victims 240-38 with the closest game being 25-8 over Northfield. … Star QB Alex Farr is 93-of-160 throwing for 1,547 yards with 21 touchdowns against seven picks, and has added another 424 yards on the ground with seven TDs. … Favorite targets Carson Rich and Logan Barley have combined for 55 catches, 871 yards and 14 TDs. … Rich also owns four interceptions and a fumble recovery on the defensive side, where Southwood has 16 takeaways.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “We got off to a slow start (trailing 12-7 through one quarter). Turnovers hurt (five in all, though Valley also had six takeaways), but once we finally got settled in, our offensive line was really rolling. We had two backs over 100 yards (and 424 rushing as a team). We were able to move the ball well.”
On Southwood — “I think our alignments, being able to line up correctly, and being sure we’re all on the same page is going to be huge, especially when it comes to coverages. Southwood gets the ball off so quickly. Their offense is hard to stop. We have to play assignment football and we can’t turn the ball over.”
On playing for a TRC title — “I think it’s been one of our players’ goals for a long time, so for them to have the opportunity is special. It’s the third straight year it’s come down to us and Southwood, so I think we’re kind of anxious. Playing at Southwood (where the Knights have won 18 straight since a Sept. 8, 2017 loss), that’s a huge challenge. They haven’t lost a regular-season game (anywhere) in the last three years.”
Manchester (2-6, 2-5 TRC) at Peru (6-2, 5-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Bengal Field.
Series: Tied 3-3.
Last meeting: Manchester won 27-13, Oct. 18, 2019.
Last Peru win: 41-40, Sept. 8, 2017.
John Harrell’s prediction: Peru, 35-21.
About Manchester: After getting Braxton Ream back last week following a two-game absence, the Squires lost their star running back again early in the second quarter against Tippecanoe Valley when he reinjured the same shoulder. Ream, who had 39 yards on 11 carries at the time, will not play this week, per coach Alyx Brandewie, who’s hoping to have the junior for next week’s sectional opener against Wabash. Linebacker/safety Anthony Foust (concussion) will be out as well. … Manchester sophomore QB Brock Casper is 95-of-185 throwing for 1,430 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 picks. Junior wideout Seth Gaerte has 37 receptions for 727 yards with eight TDs. … Junior safety Dylan Stroud has intercepted four passes over the last three weeks.
About Peru: The Tigers feature the dual-headed ground attack of Brayden Masters (100 carries, 796 yards, seven touchdowns) and quarterback Levi Strong (129 keepers, 733 yards, seven TDs). … Strong’s also 31-of-54 through the air for 388 yards, but with seven picks against three touchdowns. … Sure-fire kicker Zachary Johnson is 25-of-25 on extra points and 6-of-8 on field goals with a long of 40. … Peru is looking to improve to 4-0 at home.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “We did some things well early (leading Valley 12-7 through one quarter before losing 48-18), but didn’t sustain that momentum offensively or defensively. We’re just not very deep and when you get in a grind-it-out football game against a team like Valley, that’s tough to overcome, but I was proud of the kids.”
On Peru — “The thing that sticks out is that the improvement from last year (when the Tigers went 6-6) to this year is obvious. Coach (Romison) Saint-Louis is doing a great job, and they have good football players all over the field. They’ve got disciplined players who do their jobs really well.”
On Stroud — “He’s a heck of a kid. He was a state wrestler last year as a sophomore. Someone might say, ‘Yeah, he wrestled in a small weight class, but how’s he going to survive the football field,’ but he brings that wrestler mentality that never says die. He’s been a critical piece for us against the pass and coming up in run support.”
Goshen (1-4, 0-3 Northern Lakes Conference) at Wawasee (2-6, 0-6)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Warrior Stadium, Syracuse.
Series (last 35 years): Goshen, 24-12.
John Harrell’s prediction: Wawasee, 24-23.
Last meeting: Oct. 18, 2019, Wawasee 28-23.
Last time Goshen won: Oct. 14, 2016, 41-34.
About Goshen: Coach Kyle Park’s RedHawks lost 49-7 to Lafayette Harrison Oct. 9 … Season leaders are Drew Worthman (44 carries for 133 yards and two TD’s) and Quinn Bechtel (25 runs for 91 yards and three TD’s) rushing, Colin Turner (60-of-101 for 686 yards and five TD’s) passing and Brayden Hinkel (10 catches for 253 yards for three TD’s), Noah Alford (17 receptions for 143 yards) and Liam Deegan (11 catches for 110 yards and two TD’s) … Total tackle leaders are Roman Schrock (62), Isaac Sawatzky (47), Ruben Lopez (34), Duncan Green (34) and Mitch Daniels (34) … Goshen averages 19.0 points per game on offense and 31.4 on defense.
About Wawasee: Concord Jon Reutebuch’s Warriors lost 42-7 to Mishawaka Oct. 9 … Wawasee averages 14.5 points per game on offense and 26.0 on defense … The winner of the Goshen-Wawasee game will take the WarHawk Trophy … Wawasee has won its last three games against Goshen.
Per Wawasee coach Jon Reutebuch:
On Goshen: I like at a time that’s kind of in the same position we are (looking for an NLC win). It should be a great football game … They’re doing a lot of similar things on offense. They like to throw a lot. The defenses are both finding their way. They’re coming off a tough loss and so are we.
Surveying the season: I thought we’d be more competitive in some of our tougher games. We’re still looking to cross that threshold of a ‘program’ win — that signature win that kind of puts you over the top … I thought our running game would be more effective this year than it has been. We’ve got more lineman depth this year. But we’ve had some injuries and some guys moved around … This is only Year 2 and with the COVID thing hitting last spring until now, it’s restricted our chances of developing and when you’re trying to rebuild a program that’s even more key … Limiting our strength training in the spring and most of the summer and limiting the development of our players has set us back a bit in players development — more than I thought it would … On a more positive note, I’m very pleased and impressed with the way our kids have handled the chaos of this COVID situation and persevered throughout the season. (Wawasee and Warsaw are the only two NLC teams that have been able to play all the games on their schedule) …
People are doing the right thing with COVID precautions.
Mishawaka game: It’s a game of missed opportunities. We had a 16-play drive and a 12-play drive that ended up with no points and we had two interceptions that were in the Red Zone. That really hurt us as far as the scoreboard goes … We moved the ball up and down the field between the 20’s. We just had a hard time once we got in the Red Zone putting the ball in the end zone.
Winamac (4-2, 2-2 Hoosier North) at Triton (3-4, 2-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Triton High School, Bourbon.
Series (last 35 years): Triton, 5-3.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 24-21.
Last meeting: Oct. 18, 2019, Winamac 23-20.
Last time Triton won: Oct. 26, 2018, 48-18.
About Winamac: Coach John Hendryx’s Warriors beat Caston 28-8 Oct. 9 … Winamac averages 23.2 points per game on offense and 13.0 on defense … Junior Russell Compton is a three-year starter at quarterback.
About Triton: Coach Rodney Younis’ Trojans lost 22-18 to Knox Oct. 9 … Triton averages 17.3 points per game on offense and 25.9 on defense
Per Triton coach Rodney Younis:
On Winamac: Winamac is another solid program. They’ve got a really good quarterback (in Compton). We’re going to have to be sure we’re doing our part to keep him in he pocket because he is a good scrambler. We have to shore up our pass coverage on defense. That was the Achilles (Heel) Friday night (against Knox). We have to make sure we don’t give him wide-open looks. We need to close those gaps … Our front seven needs to do their part as well. Our down linemen have done a great job all year with our run defense. We’re asking them to step up and also be good pass rushers for us as well.
Getting better: We’re definitely pleased with our progress. We’d like to win more games than where we’re at, but with a young group we have, we’re seeing the improvement we were hoping to see.
Knox game: I was pleased with our effort. We came out and we played hard. We did a lot of good things. When you play a team of their caliber, you have to play perfect and we had a couple of costly mistakes … Bottom line is we’re making our strides. We’re improving. We just need to shore some areas up.
Whitko (4-4, 3-4 TRC) at Wabash (4-4, 3-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Alumni Field.
Series: Whitko leads 12-3.
Last meeting: Wabash won 26-14, Oct. 18 2019.
Last Whitko win: 30-24, Sept. 19, 2014.
John Harrell’s prediction: Wabash, 31-24.
About Whitko: The Wildcats, coming off a 34-7 loss to Northfield, are looking to improve to 4-0 away from home, which would give them their first unbeaten regular road season since 2010. … Cade Berg continues to lead Whitko in rushing yards (485 on 87 carries with five TDs) and is one of three pass targets, along with Isaiah Kyles and Drake Lewis, who have divided 57 catches for 1,131 yards and 12 TDs almost evenly. … QB Ethan Schuh is 79-of-149 passing for 1,375 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. … The Wildcats and Greensburg are the only two teams in the state that have exactly alternated wins and losses through their first eight games.
About Wabash: The Apaches will be playing just their third home game, where they’re 1-1. … QB Joe Leland is 109-of-172 for 1,622 yards with 13 touchdowns against 10 picks in seven contests. Top target Bryant Boggs has 54 catches for 763 yards and eight scores. … The Wabash defense has racked up 24 takeaways, including four interceptions by junior corner Brayden Sickafus, and 53 tackles for loss, including 19 by junior end Chad Wyatt. … Prior to beating Whitko each of the last three years, the Apaches trailed the all-time series 12-0.
Whitko coach Phil Jensen:
On last week — “We had two stops inside the red zone before the half to keep us competitive, then a big (takeaway) and score to get it down to 20-7 going into the fourth quarter, but then we didn’t execute and it kind of looks like a blowout, which it was, but it’s frustrating, because we’re just a few plays from getting over the hump.”
On Wabash — “They’re a little different. A lot of teams in our conference like to run the ball, but they’ll spread you out and throw it, which is good, because we’ll also see that next week (in the sectional opener at Fort Wayne Luers). We also get to play on a turf field, which will be good for us.”
On 5-4 vs. 4-5 entering sectional — “Yeah, I suppose that might sound better, but either way, what I’m trying to get through to our kids and our community is I don’t want to be happy with where we’re at. I want us to be hungry for more. OK, we’ve done well compared to the last couple years (Whitko went 1-29 over the three seasons preceding this one), but let’s be hungry.”
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