Tigers Leave Last Five Quarters Of 2021 Behind With Opening Win
August 20, 2022 at 3:56 a.m.
Tigers Leave Last Five Quarters Of 2021 Behind With Opening Win
By Chip Davenport-
Those five quarters were comprised of a relinquished fourth-quarter lead against Concord consequently losing the conference crown followed by a 36-0 sectional final loss to Carroll. The Tigers fell from a 7-1 won-loss record in mid-October to a 7-3 finish.
The Tigers took his words to heart in their 2022 season-opening 35-7 victory last night over the third-ranked (AP poll), and fourth-ranked (Coaches’ poll) Michigan City Wolves at Fisher Field.
“It went a whole lot different than what I could have imagined it would go,” Curtis said. “I think Michigan City… will be tough by the end of the year. They're a little young on defense, and we know they are a well-coached team.
“I thought our kids played as hard as I've seen them play in a while. It was good to see them come out and play with some passion… and have fun. You know it's easy have fun when you’re up 35-nothing in third quarter, but I’m pleased.”
Numerous factors contributed to the Tigers’ 28-0 halftime lead. The Tigers wasted no time moving ahead 35-0, launching the IHSAA Mercy Rule running clock 89 seconds into the third stanza on senior B-back German Flores-Ortega’s 59-yard touchdown sprint, and sophomore Mason Smythe’s extra-point kick.
Michigan City’s only score came once the reserves were on the field against most of the Wolves’ starting offense when Derrick Coleman barreled into the end zone on a three-yard TD run with 2:46 in the final frame.
The starting varsity defense pitched a shut-out, and while defensive coordinator Kris Hueber was pleased with the effort, he wants to keep a heightened level of intensity, and avoid any sense of comfort among the Black Plague defenders.
“I'm excited for what those guys can do but I don't want them to feel uncomfortable,” Hueber remarked. “(Because) comfort has been the enemy of Warsaw football lately. I wanna make sure that they stay hungry.
“I thought these kids played their butts off tonight. I'm really excited about where they're at but we're also trying to keep them humble.”
The Tiger defense returned with so much veteran experience they were able to move some of that talent to the offensive side of the ball. Several Tigers – seniors Jonn Burrit, Nick and Theo Katris, Russ Winchester (who played both ways on the line – a rarity in a Bart Curtis program), and Trey Koontz to name a few – have three years of varsity experience under their belts.
Hueber believes this extensive time playing together alongside returning two-year starters Jette Woodward, Eric Pohl, Dimitri Chandler, Isaac Beam and Colt Van Houten afforded him the opportunity to make this unit special, and to reach deep inside themselves.
“As many of our guys who have played reps together over the last two or three years, it's time to expect the brotherhood, and not just a bunch of teammates. I thought I saw a bunch of guys that played for each other.”
Michigan City, in the previous two seasons, exploited the Tigers’ defensive backfield, and sprinkled their attack with solid athletes at running back and quarterback.
This year’s version of the Wolves looked uncomfortable, bearing no fruit from the long passing game with most of their first downs coming from bubble screens to receivers and running backs in space.
Senior quarterback Tucker Curtis drew first blood for the Tigers with a 55-yard scamper a the 9:17 mark in the first period. The extra point kick was wide, but Warsaw added another score with 2:40 left in the opening period when Flores-Ortega carried a handful of defenders across the goal line to make the score 12-0.
Curtis gained 104 yards on five carries before injuring his ankle at the Michigan City 1-yard line early in the second period.
Warsaw’s next-man-up program didn’t miss a beat. Grady Nolin, the junior lefty who also doubles at wide receiver, stepped in, and smashed through the Wolves’ defensive line for a 1-yard score followed by Flores-Ortega’s two-point conversion to widen the hosts’ lead 20-0.
Nolin was the field marshal thereafter, and he led the orange and black offense throughout the night until the Tigers cleared their bench.
“We have all the confidence in Grady Nolan,” Curtis the elder said. “If Tucker's not ready then we’ll go with Grady until he is.”
Flores-Ortega, who finished Friday’s action with 184 yards on 16 carries, punctuated the lopsided first half with a 54-yard breakaway touchdown, his third trip to paydirt, followed by Bryson Brown’s successful two-point conversion run.
The breakaway runs along with the bruising plunges came courtesy of the B-back’s improved speed, and a very dominant offensive line performance from junior tackles Chase Carl, and Harrison Stofer, and seniors on the interior: center Kyle Schnackenberg, and guards Ashton Chilcutt, and Broc Fraley.
Offensive coordinator, Mike Curtis, Curtis the younger per se, works with offensive line coach Brayden Jones to will their defenders off-balance making big holes, and punctuating long runs with big downfield blocks for the Tigers’ triple option package.
“As an offense it takes five, six, sometimes seven guys up front doing their job,” Curtis the younger noted. “I thought we came off the ball well.”
Warsaw outgained Michigan City 375 yards (all rushing) to 109. Michigan City added 138 passing yards on Tyler Bush’s 18 completions among 24 attempts (75%). There were no completed passes landing behind Warsaw defenders Friday evening.
Jaden Hart led the visitors with 74 rushing yards on 17 carries. Cameron Bell led all receivers with 66 yards on 8 catches.
Warsaw hosts Chesterton, another Duneland Athletic Conference member, Friday at 7:30 p.m. The upcoming contest will be the first regular season fray between the two schools who’ve only met in post-season action before this point.
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Those five quarters were comprised of a relinquished fourth-quarter lead against Concord consequently losing the conference crown followed by a 36-0 sectional final loss to Carroll. The Tigers fell from a 7-1 won-loss record in mid-October to a 7-3 finish.
The Tigers took his words to heart in their 2022 season-opening 35-7 victory last night over the third-ranked (AP poll), and fourth-ranked (Coaches’ poll) Michigan City Wolves at Fisher Field.
“It went a whole lot different than what I could have imagined it would go,” Curtis said. “I think Michigan City… will be tough by the end of the year. They're a little young on defense, and we know they are a well-coached team.
“I thought our kids played as hard as I've seen them play in a while. It was good to see them come out and play with some passion… and have fun. You know it's easy have fun when you’re up 35-nothing in third quarter, but I’m pleased.”
Numerous factors contributed to the Tigers’ 28-0 halftime lead. The Tigers wasted no time moving ahead 35-0, launching the IHSAA Mercy Rule running clock 89 seconds into the third stanza on senior B-back German Flores-Ortega’s 59-yard touchdown sprint, and sophomore Mason Smythe’s extra-point kick.
Michigan City’s only score came once the reserves were on the field against most of the Wolves’ starting offense when Derrick Coleman barreled into the end zone on a three-yard TD run with 2:46 in the final frame.
The starting varsity defense pitched a shut-out, and while defensive coordinator Kris Hueber was pleased with the effort, he wants to keep a heightened level of intensity, and avoid any sense of comfort among the Black Plague defenders.
“I'm excited for what those guys can do but I don't want them to feel uncomfortable,” Hueber remarked. “(Because) comfort has been the enemy of Warsaw football lately. I wanna make sure that they stay hungry.
“I thought these kids played their butts off tonight. I'm really excited about where they're at but we're also trying to keep them humble.”
The Tiger defense returned with so much veteran experience they were able to move some of that talent to the offensive side of the ball. Several Tigers – seniors Jonn Burrit, Nick and Theo Katris, Russ Winchester (who played both ways on the line – a rarity in a Bart Curtis program), and Trey Koontz to name a few – have three years of varsity experience under their belts.
Hueber believes this extensive time playing together alongside returning two-year starters Jette Woodward, Eric Pohl, Dimitri Chandler, Isaac Beam and Colt Van Houten afforded him the opportunity to make this unit special, and to reach deep inside themselves.
“As many of our guys who have played reps together over the last two or three years, it's time to expect the brotherhood, and not just a bunch of teammates. I thought I saw a bunch of guys that played for each other.”
Michigan City, in the previous two seasons, exploited the Tigers’ defensive backfield, and sprinkled their attack with solid athletes at running back and quarterback.
This year’s version of the Wolves looked uncomfortable, bearing no fruit from the long passing game with most of their first downs coming from bubble screens to receivers and running backs in space.
Senior quarterback Tucker Curtis drew first blood for the Tigers with a 55-yard scamper a the 9:17 mark in the first period. The extra point kick was wide, but Warsaw added another score with 2:40 left in the opening period when Flores-Ortega carried a handful of defenders across the goal line to make the score 12-0.
Curtis gained 104 yards on five carries before injuring his ankle at the Michigan City 1-yard line early in the second period.
Warsaw’s next-man-up program didn’t miss a beat. Grady Nolin, the junior lefty who also doubles at wide receiver, stepped in, and smashed through the Wolves’ defensive line for a 1-yard score followed by Flores-Ortega’s two-point conversion to widen the hosts’ lead 20-0.
Nolin was the field marshal thereafter, and he led the orange and black offense throughout the night until the Tigers cleared their bench.
“We have all the confidence in Grady Nolan,” Curtis the elder said. “If Tucker's not ready then we’ll go with Grady until he is.”
Flores-Ortega, who finished Friday’s action with 184 yards on 16 carries, punctuated the lopsided first half with a 54-yard breakaway touchdown, his third trip to paydirt, followed by Bryson Brown’s successful two-point conversion run.
The breakaway runs along with the bruising plunges came courtesy of the B-back’s improved speed, and a very dominant offensive line performance from junior tackles Chase Carl, and Harrison Stofer, and seniors on the interior: center Kyle Schnackenberg, and guards Ashton Chilcutt, and Broc Fraley.
Offensive coordinator, Mike Curtis, Curtis the younger per se, works with offensive line coach Brayden Jones to will their defenders off-balance making big holes, and punctuating long runs with big downfield blocks for the Tigers’ triple option package.
“As an offense it takes five, six, sometimes seven guys up front doing their job,” Curtis the younger noted. “I thought we came off the ball well.”
Warsaw outgained Michigan City 375 yards (all rushing) to 109. Michigan City added 138 passing yards on Tyler Bush’s 18 completions among 24 attempts (75%). There were no completed passes landing behind Warsaw defenders Friday evening.
Jaden Hart led the visitors with 74 rushing yards on 17 carries. Cameron Bell led all receivers with 66 yards on 8 catches.
Warsaw hosts Chesterton, another Duneland Athletic Conference member, Friday at 7:30 p.m. The upcoming contest will be the first regular season fray between the two schools who’ve only met in post-season action before this point.
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