Wawasee Making Toughness A Priority In 2021
August 18, 2021 at 12:40 a.m.
Wawasee Making Toughness A Priority In 2021
By Steve Krah-
“We want to have a toughness mentality where we can overcome any obstacles in our path,” says Reutebuch, who is 5-15 in his first two seasons. “It’s a commitment to excellence.
“We want our football team to be something our community can take pride in — on and off the field.”
IHSAA Class 4A Wawasee went 3-7 overall and 1-6 in the Northern Lakes Conference in 2021.
Since then the Warriors have been working hard to improve and define roles.
“The offseason has been very busy,” says Reutebuch of workouts and team camps held at Manchester University and Wawasee. “We’ve had 11-on-11 (competitions).
“We’ve been working very hard.”
Offensive returnees include running back Nathan Larson (65 carries for 163 yards in 2020) and offensive linemen Driedyn Hernandez, Logan Mast and Quintin Spitzmacher. All are seniors.
“Behind those three guys, we’re looking to make big leaps and bounds,” says Reutebuch of the three O-line vets.
With two-year starter Parker Young lost to graduation, senior Lucas Ringler (231 all-purpose yards in 2020) moves from wideout to quarterback in 2021.
“We’ve got a lot of newcomer we’re counting on,” says Reutebuch, who counts junior tailback Cameron Zimmerman, junior slot receiver Chase Dennis, junior tight end Collin Roberson and sophomore wideout Hunter Tinkey in the offensive mix.
On defense, Mark Wiggs (45 total tackles in 2020) returns to the line. Larson (49 total tackles) and Dominic Blair (68 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries) are back as linebackers while Ringler (21 total tackles and one interception) is again part of the secondary.
Reutebuch says players looking to make their varsity mark on defense are end Roberson, cornerbacks Dennis and Tinkey, senior linebacker Elliot Tinsley, junior safety Jared Smith and junior tackle Aidan Merkler.
Senior Caleb Clevenger (team-best 25 points with 19 extra points and two field goals in 2020) has handled the placekicking duties for Wawasee the past few seasons and he also returns. After a week of practice, junior Timothy Bolt leads the competition at punter.
Other seniors on the roster are Dominic Hollar, Jaron Park, Lucas Rangel and Ethan Schuh.
Mark Osmialowski is the Warriors offensive coordinator. Andy Zaebst is defensive coordinator. Other assistants include Conner Glon, Chris Cotton, Michael Casey, Nick Feldman, Clayton Cook. J.J. Perry, Tyler Smith and Greg Moe.
Wawasee opens the season Friday, Aug. 20 at home against IHSAA Class 3A Tippecanoe Valley. The Vikings were added to the schedule when the contract with Lakeland ran out.
“Tippy Valley’s had a good program the last few years,” says Reutebuch. “It’s a good challenge out of the gate to get us ready for NLC play.”
The Warriors have won their last two season openers and are 9-1 in lid-lifters over the past decade.
After a non-conference game at Class 3A West Noble Aug. 27, the Warriors start the conference slate Sept. 3 at 4A Northridge. Wawasee’s other home games are Sept. 10 against Concord, Sept. 24 against Plymouth and Oct. 8 against Mishawaka. Other road contests are Sept. 17 against NorthWood, Oct. 1 against Warsaw and Oct. 15 against Goshen.
“We want to have a toughness mentality where we can overcome any obstacles in our path,” says Reutebuch, who is 5-15 in his first two seasons. “It’s a commitment to excellence.
“We want our football team to be something our community can take pride in — on and off the field.”
IHSAA Class 4A Wawasee went 3-7 overall and 1-6 in the Northern Lakes Conference in 2021.
Since then the Warriors have been working hard to improve and define roles.
“The offseason has been very busy,” says Reutebuch of workouts and team camps held at Manchester University and Wawasee. “We’ve had 11-on-11 (competitions).
“We’ve been working very hard.”
Offensive returnees include running back Nathan Larson (65 carries for 163 yards in 2020) and offensive linemen Driedyn Hernandez, Logan Mast and Quintin Spitzmacher. All are seniors.
“Behind those three guys, we’re looking to make big leaps and bounds,” says Reutebuch of the three O-line vets.
With two-year starter Parker Young lost to graduation, senior Lucas Ringler (231 all-purpose yards in 2020) moves from wideout to quarterback in 2021.
“We’ve got a lot of newcomer we’re counting on,” says Reutebuch, who counts junior tailback Cameron Zimmerman, junior slot receiver Chase Dennis, junior tight end Collin Roberson and sophomore wideout Hunter Tinkey in the offensive mix.
On defense, Mark Wiggs (45 total tackles in 2020) returns to the line. Larson (49 total tackles) and Dominic Blair (68 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries) are back as linebackers while Ringler (21 total tackles and one interception) is again part of the secondary.
Reutebuch says players looking to make their varsity mark on defense are end Roberson, cornerbacks Dennis and Tinkey, senior linebacker Elliot Tinsley, junior safety Jared Smith and junior tackle Aidan Merkler.
Senior Caleb Clevenger (team-best 25 points with 19 extra points and two field goals in 2020) has handled the placekicking duties for Wawasee the past few seasons and he also returns. After a week of practice, junior Timothy Bolt leads the competition at punter.
Other seniors on the roster are Dominic Hollar, Jaron Park, Lucas Rangel and Ethan Schuh.
Mark Osmialowski is the Warriors offensive coordinator. Andy Zaebst is defensive coordinator. Other assistants include Conner Glon, Chris Cotton, Michael Casey, Nick Feldman, Clayton Cook. J.J. Perry, Tyler Smith and Greg Moe.
Wawasee opens the season Friday, Aug. 20 at home against IHSAA Class 3A Tippecanoe Valley. The Vikings were added to the schedule when the contract with Lakeland ran out.
“Tippy Valley’s had a good program the last few years,” says Reutebuch. “It’s a good challenge out of the gate to get us ready for NLC play.”
The Warriors have won their last two season openers and are 9-1 in lid-lifters over the past decade.
After a non-conference game at Class 3A West Noble Aug. 27, the Warriors start the conference slate Sept. 3 at 4A Northridge. Wawasee’s other home games are Sept. 10 against Concord, Sept. 24 against Plymouth and Oct. 8 against Mishawaka. Other road contests are Sept. 17 against NorthWood, Oct. 1 against Warsaw and Oct. 15 against Goshen.
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