Local High School Football Previews For Week 9
October 13, 2022 at 1:04 a.m.
By Anthony Anderson & Steve Krah-
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Interra Field, Middlebury.
Series (last 35 years): Warsaw, 26-9.
John Harrell’s prediction: Warsaw, 35-21.
Last meeting: Sept. 17, 2021, Warsaw, 36-3.
About Warsaw: Coach Bart Curtis’ 6A Tigers beat Goshen 43-7 in Week 8 … Leading 36-0 at halftime, Warsaw used many reserves in the second half which was played with a running clock (the fourth time of the season) … Tiger leaders are sophomore Drew Sullivan (6-of-14 for 120 yards and two touchdowns) and junior Grady Nolin (7-of-22 for 109 and two TDs) in passing, senior German Flores-Ortega (117 carries for 725 yards and 10 TDs), senior Bryson Brown (51 carries for 416 yards and three TDs), junior Reed Zollinger (41 carries for 315 yards and four TDs) and Nolin (55 carries for 242 yards and five TDs) in rushing and senior Jack Murrell (four catches for 116 yards and one TD) in receiving … Pacing in total tackles are senior Nick Katris (45.5), senior Dimitri Chandler (37), junior Eric Pohl (36) and junior Jette Woodward (31.5) … Sophomore Mason Smythe is 24-of-26 on extra points and 1-of-4 on field goals … Warsaw is going for at least a share of third place in the Northern Lakes Conference … The Tigers have beaten Northridge four straight times and lead the all-time series 26-9 dating back to 1987 … Warsaw has outscored opponents 267-106, including 208-92 in the NLC … The Tigers are 2-1 on the road in 2022 … Warsaw has won six or more game seven straight seasons.
About Northridge: Coach Chad Eppley’s 4A Raiders beat Plymouth 49-0 in Week 8 … Northridge is led by senior Qade Carrington (93-of-161 for 1,683 yards and 20 touchdowns) in passing, junior McClain Miller (117 carries for 734 yards and 10 TDs) in rushing and senior Kade Sainz (35 catches for 605 yards and nine TDs), senior Jethro Hochstetler (17 catches for 377 yards and four TDs) and senior Alex Eby (15 catches for 366 yards and five TDs) in receiving … Junior Dylan Ritchie is 23-of-26 on extra points and 2-of-4 on field goals … Pacing in total tackles are junior Brock Thompson (70 with five sacks), junior Beau Bojanich (57), junior Conner Roth (54) and senior Harrison Kauffman (48) … The Raiders have outscored foes 255-182, including 198-142 in the NLC … Northridge is 3-1 in home games in 2022.
Per Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Northridge — (The Raiders) are really, really good … Their two losses in the conference (Mishawaka and NorthWood) are to the exact same people (as Warsaw). Their record is a little deceiving. They played Mishawaka a whole lot tougher than we did. The NorthWood game is probably similar … They’ve won four games in a row. They beat a good Concord team. Concord is really improved since we played them … Northridge is scary on film. They’re very balanced (on offense) and very well-coached … We’re going to have to play really well Friday to represent ourselves well.
Through Week 8 — We’re beaten, battered and worn. But we’re not out … (Senior quarterback) Tucker (Curtis) got hurt in the second quarter of the first game and is out for the year. (Senior lineman) Ashton Chilcutt got hurt on Play 46 in the fifth game and he’s out for the year. (Senior split end) Ian Nichols is out for the year … It is a day-by-day, week-by-week flow chart as far as personnel.
On Goshen game — Our kids on Senior Night came out and took care of business right away and played with a lot of enthusiasm, controlled emotion and sent our seniors out on a winning note … We got to develop some youth as well.
Tippecanoe Valley (8-0 overall, 7-0 TRC) at Southwood (6-2, 6-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Wagoner Field.
Series: Valley leads 27-18.
Last meeting: Valley won 56-25, Oct. 15, 2021.
Last Southwood win: 32-8, Oct. 16, 2020.
John Harrell’s prediction: Valley, 38-28.
About Valley: All kinds of lofty achievements are beckoning as the Vikings head into their regular-season finale. With a win, they can clinch finishing with one overall loss or less in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1981 and ’82. They can also complete back-to-back unbeaten Three Rivers Conference runs for the first time since 1993 and ‘94. They’re already assured of their first back-to-back league titles since 2011 and ’12, but still must beat the Knights to avoid sharing the 2022 crown. … TV’s coming off a 65-19 win over Wabash, its most points in any game since 2007. The output also marked the first time the Vikings have cracked 60 points twice in a three-week span since their 1979 state title season. … Nate Parker scored three of Valley’s first four touchdowns last week and added a two-point conversion on the other. The Vikings, who led 44-13 by halftime, finished at 528 yards of offense and 4-of-4 on third-down conversions while holding the Apaches to 130 and 1-of-7. … For the season, Parker’s at 872 yards rushing and 19 TDs on 118 carries. He’s added three TD catches. … Quarterback Cody Eastgate is 38-of-50 throwing for 696 yards and eight TDs against one interception. … Wade Jones, second for Valley in rushing yards and first in receptions, sat out last Friday with a strained leg muscle suffered Thursday, but has been cleared for this week.
About Southwood: Surging Southwood’s won six straight games and is seeking a share of the TRC title. If the Knights beat Valley, there would be a three-way tie for the crown between those two teams and the winner of the Rochester at Maconaquah matchup. … Southwood’s 6-0 since installing senior Cole Winer at quarterback. All six wins have been by at least 14 points with an average margin of 32.3. … Winer is 55-of-88 passing for 950 yards and 13 TDs against three picks. … Senior backs Morgan Lloyd and Isaiah Sutton have combined for 936 yards and 14 touchdowns on 158 carries. … Senior wideout Nathan Lehner has 26 catches for 391 yards and four TDs. … Senior Jason Oprisek has 13.5 of his team’s 46 tackles for loss and 6.5 of the Knights’ 19 QB sacks.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “I thought we put everything together and didn’t get hurt by penalties too much. We seemed to cover the pass better. We gave up 80 passing yards, but that was to a quarterback averaging 199. Our defense was solid. We need to improve on special teams, but I was pleased with our effort.”
On Southwood — “Their quarterback is a really good athlete. He’s been passing the ball around quite a bit lately and can run. He’s the best all-around quarterback we’ve faced all year, so we’ll have to find him and disrupt him and try not to let him disrupt us too much. They’ve got quite a few really good offensive players.”
On back-to-back TRC titles — “It shows the program as a whole is going in the right direction. We graduated seven out of our nine all-conference kids last year, so to still be where we are and even a little better stat-wise, it’s a testament to the hard work of the kids and buying into the system. Hopefully, it will continue for years to come.”
Mishawaka (7-1, 5-1 Northern Lakes Conference) at Wawasee (1-7, 1-5 NLC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Warrior Stadium, Syracuse.
Series (last 35 years): Mishawaka, 2-0.
John Harrell’s prediction: Mishawaka, 45-7.
Last meeting: Oct. 8, 2021, Mishawaka, 42-7.
About Mishawaka: Coach Keith Kinder’s Associated Press No. 5/Indiana Football Coaches Association No. 4-ranked 5A Cavemen beat Concord 15-11 in Week 8 … The Cavemen rushed for 412 yards, led by senior Chase Gooden (13 carries for 151) and junior Brady Fisher (13 carries for 101). Sophomore Novell Miller and junior Ethan Bryce each had rushing touchdowns … The Cavemen have outscored foes 250-104, including 182-96 in the NLC.
About Wawasee: Coach Jon Reutebuch’s 4A Warriors lost 57-0 to NorthWood in Week 8 … Wawasee leaders were junior Mason Shoemaker (4-of-10 for nine yards) in passing, senior Cameron Zimmerman (eight carries for 32 yards) and junior Brandon Kelly (10 carries for 19 yards) in rushing and junior Hunter Tinkey (three catches for six yards) in receiving … Tops in total tackles were senior Brady Russell (7.5), Tinkey (3), junior Lucas Linder (3), junior Donovan Blair (3) and junior Payton Sewell (3) … Opponents have outscored Wawasee 268-104, including 207-80 in the NLC.
Per Wawasee coach Jon Reutebuch:
On Mishawaka — We knew going into these last four games they were going to be the best teams in the conference. It was going to be grueling and tough. In the Northridge game we had some things to build upon. The Warsaw game we didn’t compete like we would have liked. The NorthWood game we were going against a ranked team in 4A and the best team in the conference … This last (regular-season) game we want the kids to compete hard and at least build a little momentum going into the sectional.
Through eight weeks — The season of attrition is really upon us. We have some injuries and seem to have a lot of sickness going through our school right now. That makes it difficult at this point in the season … We had 17 guys not able to practice (Tuesday). That’s a lot on a team that has a 51-player roster.
On NorthWood game — (The Panthers) are as good as we thought they were. We would have liked to have competed better in some areas.
Manchester (1-7 overall, 1-6 TRC) at Peru (2-6, 2-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Bengal Field.
Series: Peru leads 5-3.
Last meeting: Peru won 33-13, Oct. 15, 2021.
Last Manchester win: 27-13, Oct. 18, 2019.
John Harrell’s prediction: Peru, 35-24.
About Manchester: The Squires, trailing 26-0 at the half, stormed back to make a game of it last week at Maconaquah before falling 26-18. It was Manchester’s third one-score defeat of the season. … Senior receiver Memphis Wood accounted for 151 of the Squires’ 171 receiving yards on nine receptions to go with a touchdown. Wood is at 704 yards on 37 catches with nine TDs for the year. … Senior Mavern Smith caused havoc on defense, finishing with two sacks and three other tackles for loss. He’s notched three sacks and five other TFLs over the last three weeks. … Senior QB Brock Casper is 104-of-216 throwing for 1,311 yards, 14 TDs and 10 interceptions, while sophomore running back Mason Rooney has 493 yards and six TDs on 107 carries. … Sophomore Logan Eastgate, who made 18 catches for 157 yards and two TDs over the first five games, is expected back from injury after missing the last three.
About Peru: The Tigers have lost four straight, each by 17 or more points, including 36-14 last week against Northfield. … Matt Roettger, Alex Ross and Braxton Strong, all juniors, lead the Peru offense. Roettger is 77-of-161 throwing for 958 yards and seven touchdowns against six picks, and has netted another 305 yards with three TDs on the ground. Ross has rushed for 550 yards and nine TDs on 78 carries. Strong’s caught 27 passes for 367 yards and a pair of scores. … The Tigers and Squires have faced five common opponents, with largely similar results. Peru’s been outscored 170-93 in those games with the favorable score compared to Manchester’s in three of them, while the Squires have been outscored 186-92 in those matchups with the favorable score compared to Peru’s twice.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “We didn’t play very well the first half. We turned it over four times and walked into the locker room down 26-nothing, but we felt like we didn’t need to make wholesale changes; we mostly just needed to protect the football. The kids came out and played really well the second half. It’s disappointing we didn’t start better, but I was pleased the kids didn’t fold up. They kept fighting.”
On Peru — “When we watch film, the first thing we notice is Roettger’s a heck of an athlete, big, strong and physical. They got a couple kids on their lines that do a really nice job, too. I’m sure, like us, they’re not thrilled with their record, but seeing some of the early film and now, they’ve definitely made some improvement. We know we’ll have to play well.”
On Memphis Wood — “He’s a kid that worked really hard between being a junior and being a senior to elevate his play on Friday nights and it’s absolutely shown up. He’s been a big-play guy all year, and Friday we were able to do some things to put him in a good matchup and get some vertical plays. Between that and his natural ability, he had a really good game.”
Whitko (0-8 overall, 0-7 TRC) at Wabash (2-6, 2-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Alumni Field.
Series: Whitko leads 12-5.
Last meeting: Wabash won 12-9, Oct. 15, 2021.
Last Whitko win: 30-24, Sept. 19, 2014.
John Harrell’s prediction: Wabash, 45-17.
About Whitko: Though the Wildcats lost 44-0 to Southwood last week, it still marked the fewest points by the Knights in any of their last four games. … Whitko played without junior Dean Boggs, the team’s leader in rushing yards (374), rushing average (8.5) and touchdowns (three), as well as its pacesetter on defense at 9.4 tackles per game. Boggs was out due to illness and his status for this week remained in question as of Tuesday evening. … Junior Trevor Freel led the Wildcats with 56 yards on nine carries against Southwood. Senior Cody Adkins, junior Skyler Zellers and sophomore Isaac Irwin got in on 11 tackles apiece, with Zellers also intercepting a pass.
About Wabash: In a notable flip, the Apaches have won meetings against Whitko each of the last five years after the Wildcats took the first 12 meetings all-time. … Wabash, which fell 65-19 last week at unbeaten Tippecanoe Valley, has recorded each of its two wins by one point this season. … Apache junior QB Izaak Wright has completed 115-of-203 passes for 1,475 yards and 13 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Receivers Trevor Daughtry and Antonio Grant have paired for 71 catches, 1,060 yards and six TDs.
Whitko coach Brad Sprunger:
On last week — I thought our youth really showed. We had Dean Boggs end up being out. A freshman played for him and we had a couple other freshmen who played. The encouraging sign is we did hold Southwood to 44. We’ve put in a lot of press with our corners and I think it’s helped them develop the last couple weeks.”
On Wabash — “They’re kind of the same as last week. They run the spread. No. 11 (Antonio Grant), he’s a really good receiver. The quarterback is shifty and can throw the ball. They’ll be our main concerns. We’ll try to force them to run, and then stop the run.”
On continuing to battle — “I thought last week was the first week that at times we got a little complacent. I told them I’ll take responsibility for the loss and won’t let (the complacency) happen again. So far, we’ve had a good week. … We do have a couple more injuries. One’s a starter at corner (John Morgan).”
Winamac (2-6, 1-5 Hoosier North Athletic Conference) at Triton (5-3, 3-3 HNAC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Trojan Field, Bourbon.
Series (last 35 years): Tied, 5-5.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 42-14.
Last meeting: Oct. 15, 2021, 27-7.
About Winamac: Coach Josh Burgess’ 2A Warriors beat Caston 33-12 in Week 8 … Winamac outscored the Comets 26-0 in the second half … The Warriors have a three-game win streak against Triton … Opponents have outscored Winamac 239-119, including 212-72 in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference.
About Triton: Coach Rodney Younis’ 1A Trojans lost 38-32 to Knox in Week 8 … Triton has a chance for at least a share of third place in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference … The Trojans are paced by junior Cole Shively (25-of-54 for 318 yards and three touchdowns) in passing, junior Anthony Schuh (128 carries for 1,440 yards and 25 TDs), Shively (81 carries for 613 yards and 11 TDs) and freshman Vincent Prater (25 carries for 250 yards and one TD) in rushing and sophomore Dante’ Workman (nine catches for 90 yards and one TD), Schuh (six catches for 82 yards and two TDs) and senior Amari Snyder (two catches for 53 yards) in receiving … Tops in total tackles are senior Reilley Wood (64), senior Brayden Cunningham (53), Snyder (48), senior Cameron Shively (48) and sophomore Esai Lemler (46) … Cole Shively has three interceptions … Triton has outscored foes 291-184, including 191-174 in the HNAC … The Trojans are 2-2 in home games in 2022.
Per Triton coach Rodney Younis:
On Winamac — This is a big night for us. It’s been a few years since we beat Winamac. This is our Senior Night. Our seniors have done a lot for us over the last few years. They started as young kids, took their lumps and this year they’re having some success. We want to go out on a good note … Winamac brings a variety with their offense. They have a 4-3 defense and they’re a scrappy group of kids. We’ll have to match that intensity and see what happens.
Sustaining drives — We have the opportunity because of our skill kids to break a long one at any given time. If we have our choice we want to sustain our drives and keep our defense off the field. You best defense sometimes is your offense when you keep the ball.
On Knox game — It was a good game. Unfortunately, we had two costly turnovers. That was the difference in the game. It was at the start of the game and the start of the second half on our kickoff returns. (Knox) scored on both of those (sudden-change opportunities) … Our kids battled. We started in the hole 16-0 right away and we answered and took the lead 19-16. We gave up a late score going into the half … Time of possession was the other killer. I believe (Knox) had the ball 36 minutes and we had it for 12 … There are definitely a lot of positives that we can take away because (Knox) is a very good football team. We were right there with an opportunity and that’s all you can ever ask for.
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Interra Field, Middlebury.
Series (last 35 years): Warsaw, 26-9.
John Harrell’s prediction: Warsaw, 35-21.
Last meeting: Sept. 17, 2021, Warsaw, 36-3.
About Warsaw: Coach Bart Curtis’ 6A Tigers beat Goshen 43-7 in Week 8 … Leading 36-0 at halftime, Warsaw used many reserves in the second half which was played with a running clock (the fourth time of the season) … Tiger leaders are sophomore Drew Sullivan (6-of-14 for 120 yards and two touchdowns) and junior Grady Nolin (7-of-22 for 109 and two TDs) in passing, senior German Flores-Ortega (117 carries for 725 yards and 10 TDs), senior Bryson Brown (51 carries for 416 yards and three TDs), junior Reed Zollinger (41 carries for 315 yards and four TDs) and Nolin (55 carries for 242 yards and five TDs) in rushing and senior Jack Murrell (four catches for 116 yards and one TD) in receiving … Pacing in total tackles are senior Nick Katris (45.5), senior Dimitri Chandler (37), junior Eric Pohl (36) and junior Jette Woodward (31.5) … Sophomore Mason Smythe is 24-of-26 on extra points and 1-of-4 on field goals … Warsaw is going for at least a share of third place in the Northern Lakes Conference … The Tigers have beaten Northridge four straight times and lead the all-time series 26-9 dating back to 1987 … Warsaw has outscored opponents 267-106, including 208-92 in the NLC … The Tigers are 2-1 on the road in 2022 … Warsaw has won six or more game seven straight seasons.
About Northridge: Coach Chad Eppley’s 4A Raiders beat Plymouth 49-0 in Week 8 … Northridge is led by senior Qade Carrington (93-of-161 for 1,683 yards and 20 touchdowns) in passing, junior McClain Miller (117 carries for 734 yards and 10 TDs) in rushing and senior Kade Sainz (35 catches for 605 yards and nine TDs), senior Jethro Hochstetler (17 catches for 377 yards and four TDs) and senior Alex Eby (15 catches for 366 yards and five TDs) in receiving … Junior Dylan Ritchie is 23-of-26 on extra points and 2-of-4 on field goals … Pacing in total tackles are junior Brock Thompson (70 with five sacks), junior Beau Bojanich (57), junior Conner Roth (54) and senior Harrison Kauffman (48) … The Raiders have outscored foes 255-182, including 198-142 in the NLC … Northridge is 3-1 in home games in 2022.
Per Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Northridge — (The Raiders) are really, really good … Their two losses in the conference (Mishawaka and NorthWood) are to the exact same people (as Warsaw). Their record is a little deceiving. They played Mishawaka a whole lot tougher than we did. The NorthWood game is probably similar … They’ve won four games in a row. They beat a good Concord team. Concord is really improved since we played them … Northridge is scary on film. They’re very balanced (on offense) and very well-coached … We’re going to have to play really well Friday to represent ourselves well.
Through Week 8 — We’re beaten, battered and worn. But we’re not out … (Senior quarterback) Tucker (Curtis) got hurt in the second quarter of the first game and is out for the year. (Senior lineman) Ashton Chilcutt got hurt on Play 46 in the fifth game and he’s out for the year. (Senior split end) Ian Nichols is out for the year … It is a day-by-day, week-by-week flow chart as far as personnel.
On Goshen game — Our kids on Senior Night came out and took care of business right away and played with a lot of enthusiasm, controlled emotion and sent our seniors out on a winning note … We got to develop some youth as well.
Tippecanoe Valley (8-0 overall, 7-0 TRC) at Southwood (6-2, 6-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Wagoner Field.
Series: Valley leads 27-18.
Last meeting: Valley won 56-25, Oct. 15, 2021.
Last Southwood win: 32-8, Oct. 16, 2020.
John Harrell’s prediction: Valley, 38-28.
About Valley: All kinds of lofty achievements are beckoning as the Vikings head into their regular-season finale. With a win, they can clinch finishing with one overall loss or less in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1981 and ’82. They can also complete back-to-back unbeaten Three Rivers Conference runs for the first time since 1993 and ‘94. They’re already assured of their first back-to-back league titles since 2011 and ’12, but still must beat the Knights to avoid sharing the 2022 crown. … TV’s coming off a 65-19 win over Wabash, its most points in any game since 2007. The output also marked the first time the Vikings have cracked 60 points twice in a three-week span since their 1979 state title season. … Nate Parker scored three of Valley’s first four touchdowns last week and added a two-point conversion on the other. The Vikings, who led 44-13 by halftime, finished at 528 yards of offense and 4-of-4 on third-down conversions while holding the Apaches to 130 and 1-of-7. … For the season, Parker’s at 872 yards rushing and 19 TDs on 118 carries. He’s added three TD catches. … Quarterback Cody Eastgate is 38-of-50 throwing for 696 yards and eight TDs against one interception. … Wade Jones, second for Valley in rushing yards and first in receptions, sat out last Friday with a strained leg muscle suffered Thursday, but has been cleared for this week.
About Southwood: Surging Southwood’s won six straight games and is seeking a share of the TRC title. If the Knights beat Valley, there would be a three-way tie for the crown between those two teams and the winner of the Rochester at Maconaquah matchup. … Southwood’s 6-0 since installing senior Cole Winer at quarterback. All six wins have been by at least 14 points with an average margin of 32.3. … Winer is 55-of-88 passing for 950 yards and 13 TDs against three picks. … Senior backs Morgan Lloyd and Isaiah Sutton have combined for 936 yards and 14 touchdowns on 158 carries. … Senior wideout Nathan Lehner has 26 catches for 391 yards and four TDs. … Senior Jason Oprisek has 13.5 of his team’s 46 tackles for loss and 6.5 of the Knights’ 19 QB sacks.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “I thought we put everything together and didn’t get hurt by penalties too much. We seemed to cover the pass better. We gave up 80 passing yards, but that was to a quarterback averaging 199. Our defense was solid. We need to improve on special teams, but I was pleased with our effort.”
On Southwood — “Their quarterback is a really good athlete. He’s been passing the ball around quite a bit lately and can run. He’s the best all-around quarterback we’ve faced all year, so we’ll have to find him and disrupt him and try not to let him disrupt us too much. They’ve got quite a few really good offensive players.”
On back-to-back TRC titles — “It shows the program as a whole is going in the right direction. We graduated seven out of our nine all-conference kids last year, so to still be where we are and even a little better stat-wise, it’s a testament to the hard work of the kids and buying into the system. Hopefully, it will continue for years to come.”
Mishawaka (7-1, 5-1 Northern Lakes Conference) at Wawasee (1-7, 1-5 NLC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Warrior Stadium, Syracuse.
Series (last 35 years): Mishawaka, 2-0.
John Harrell’s prediction: Mishawaka, 45-7.
Last meeting: Oct. 8, 2021, Mishawaka, 42-7.
About Mishawaka: Coach Keith Kinder’s Associated Press No. 5/Indiana Football Coaches Association No. 4-ranked 5A Cavemen beat Concord 15-11 in Week 8 … The Cavemen rushed for 412 yards, led by senior Chase Gooden (13 carries for 151) and junior Brady Fisher (13 carries for 101). Sophomore Novell Miller and junior Ethan Bryce each had rushing touchdowns … The Cavemen have outscored foes 250-104, including 182-96 in the NLC.
About Wawasee: Coach Jon Reutebuch’s 4A Warriors lost 57-0 to NorthWood in Week 8 … Wawasee leaders were junior Mason Shoemaker (4-of-10 for nine yards) in passing, senior Cameron Zimmerman (eight carries for 32 yards) and junior Brandon Kelly (10 carries for 19 yards) in rushing and junior Hunter Tinkey (three catches for six yards) in receiving … Tops in total tackles were senior Brady Russell (7.5), Tinkey (3), junior Lucas Linder (3), junior Donovan Blair (3) and junior Payton Sewell (3) … Opponents have outscored Wawasee 268-104, including 207-80 in the NLC.
Per Wawasee coach Jon Reutebuch:
On Mishawaka — We knew going into these last four games they were going to be the best teams in the conference. It was going to be grueling and tough. In the Northridge game we had some things to build upon. The Warsaw game we didn’t compete like we would have liked. The NorthWood game we were going against a ranked team in 4A and the best team in the conference … This last (regular-season) game we want the kids to compete hard and at least build a little momentum going into the sectional.
Through eight weeks — The season of attrition is really upon us. We have some injuries and seem to have a lot of sickness going through our school right now. That makes it difficult at this point in the season … We had 17 guys not able to practice (Tuesday). That’s a lot on a team that has a 51-player roster.
On NorthWood game — (The Panthers) are as good as we thought they were. We would have liked to have competed better in some areas.
Manchester (1-7 overall, 1-6 TRC) at Peru (2-6, 2-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Bengal Field.
Series: Peru leads 5-3.
Last meeting: Peru won 33-13, Oct. 15, 2021.
Last Manchester win: 27-13, Oct. 18, 2019.
John Harrell’s prediction: Peru, 35-24.
About Manchester: The Squires, trailing 26-0 at the half, stormed back to make a game of it last week at Maconaquah before falling 26-18. It was Manchester’s third one-score defeat of the season. … Senior receiver Memphis Wood accounted for 151 of the Squires’ 171 receiving yards on nine receptions to go with a touchdown. Wood is at 704 yards on 37 catches with nine TDs for the year. … Senior Mavern Smith caused havoc on defense, finishing with two sacks and three other tackles for loss. He’s notched three sacks and five other TFLs over the last three weeks. … Senior QB Brock Casper is 104-of-216 throwing for 1,311 yards, 14 TDs and 10 interceptions, while sophomore running back Mason Rooney has 493 yards and six TDs on 107 carries. … Sophomore Logan Eastgate, who made 18 catches for 157 yards and two TDs over the first five games, is expected back from injury after missing the last three.
About Peru: The Tigers have lost four straight, each by 17 or more points, including 36-14 last week against Northfield. … Matt Roettger, Alex Ross and Braxton Strong, all juniors, lead the Peru offense. Roettger is 77-of-161 throwing for 958 yards and seven touchdowns against six picks, and has netted another 305 yards with three TDs on the ground. Ross has rushed for 550 yards and nine TDs on 78 carries. Strong’s caught 27 passes for 367 yards and a pair of scores. … The Tigers and Squires have faced five common opponents, with largely similar results. Peru’s been outscored 170-93 in those games with the favorable score compared to Manchester’s in three of them, while the Squires have been outscored 186-92 in those matchups with the favorable score compared to Peru’s twice.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “We didn’t play very well the first half. We turned it over four times and walked into the locker room down 26-nothing, but we felt like we didn’t need to make wholesale changes; we mostly just needed to protect the football. The kids came out and played really well the second half. It’s disappointing we didn’t start better, but I was pleased the kids didn’t fold up. They kept fighting.”
On Peru — “When we watch film, the first thing we notice is Roettger’s a heck of an athlete, big, strong and physical. They got a couple kids on their lines that do a really nice job, too. I’m sure, like us, they’re not thrilled with their record, but seeing some of the early film and now, they’ve definitely made some improvement. We know we’ll have to play well.”
On Memphis Wood — “He’s a kid that worked really hard between being a junior and being a senior to elevate his play on Friday nights and it’s absolutely shown up. He’s been a big-play guy all year, and Friday we were able to do some things to put him in a good matchup and get some vertical plays. Between that and his natural ability, he had a really good game.”
Whitko (0-8 overall, 0-7 TRC) at Wabash (2-6, 2-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Alumni Field.
Series: Whitko leads 12-5.
Last meeting: Wabash won 12-9, Oct. 15, 2021.
Last Whitko win: 30-24, Sept. 19, 2014.
John Harrell’s prediction: Wabash, 45-17.
About Whitko: Though the Wildcats lost 44-0 to Southwood last week, it still marked the fewest points by the Knights in any of their last four games. … Whitko played without junior Dean Boggs, the team’s leader in rushing yards (374), rushing average (8.5) and touchdowns (three), as well as its pacesetter on defense at 9.4 tackles per game. Boggs was out due to illness and his status for this week remained in question as of Tuesday evening. … Junior Trevor Freel led the Wildcats with 56 yards on nine carries against Southwood. Senior Cody Adkins, junior Skyler Zellers and sophomore Isaac Irwin got in on 11 tackles apiece, with Zellers also intercepting a pass.
About Wabash: In a notable flip, the Apaches have won meetings against Whitko each of the last five years after the Wildcats took the first 12 meetings all-time. … Wabash, which fell 65-19 last week at unbeaten Tippecanoe Valley, has recorded each of its two wins by one point this season. … Apache junior QB Izaak Wright has completed 115-of-203 passes for 1,475 yards and 13 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Receivers Trevor Daughtry and Antonio Grant have paired for 71 catches, 1,060 yards and six TDs.
Whitko coach Brad Sprunger:
On last week — I thought our youth really showed. We had Dean Boggs end up being out. A freshman played for him and we had a couple other freshmen who played. The encouraging sign is we did hold Southwood to 44. We’ve put in a lot of press with our corners and I think it’s helped them develop the last couple weeks.”
On Wabash — “They’re kind of the same as last week. They run the spread. No. 11 (Antonio Grant), he’s a really good receiver. The quarterback is shifty and can throw the ball. They’ll be our main concerns. We’ll try to force them to run, and then stop the run.”
On continuing to battle — “I thought last week was the first week that at times we got a little complacent. I told them I’ll take responsibility for the loss and won’t let (the complacency) happen again. So far, we’ve had a good week. … We do have a couple more injuries. One’s a starter at corner (John Morgan).”
Winamac (2-6, 1-5 Hoosier North Athletic Conference) at Triton (5-3, 3-3 HNAC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Trojan Field, Bourbon.
Series (last 35 years): Tied, 5-5.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 42-14.
Last meeting: Oct. 15, 2021, 27-7.
About Winamac: Coach Josh Burgess’ 2A Warriors beat Caston 33-12 in Week 8 … Winamac outscored the Comets 26-0 in the second half … The Warriors have a three-game win streak against Triton … Opponents have outscored Winamac 239-119, including 212-72 in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference.
About Triton: Coach Rodney Younis’ 1A Trojans lost 38-32 to Knox in Week 8 … Triton has a chance for at least a share of third place in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference … The Trojans are paced by junior Cole Shively (25-of-54 for 318 yards and three touchdowns) in passing, junior Anthony Schuh (128 carries for 1,440 yards and 25 TDs), Shively (81 carries for 613 yards and 11 TDs) and freshman Vincent Prater (25 carries for 250 yards and one TD) in rushing and sophomore Dante’ Workman (nine catches for 90 yards and one TD), Schuh (six catches for 82 yards and two TDs) and senior Amari Snyder (two catches for 53 yards) in receiving … Tops in total tackles are senior Reilley Wood (64), senior Brayden Cunningham (53), Snyder (48), senior Cameron Shively (48) and sophomore Esai Lemler (46) … Cole Shively has three interceptions … Triton has outscored foes 291-184, including 191-174 in the HNAC … The Trojans are 2-2 in home games in 2022.
Per Triton coach Rodney Younis:
On Winamac — This is a big night for us. It’s been a few years since we beat Winamac. This is our Senior Night. Our seniors have done a lot for us over the last few years. They started as young kids, took their lumps and this year they’re having some success. We want to go out on a good note … Winamac brings a variety with their offense. They have a 4-3 defense and they’re a scrappy group of kids. We’ll have to match that intensity and see what happens.
Sustaining drives — We have the opportunity because of our skill kids to break a long one at any given time. If we have our choice we want to sustain our drives and keep our defense off the field. You best defense sometimes is your offense when you keep the ball.
On Knox game — It was a good game. Unfortunately, we had two costly turnovers. That was the difference in the game. It was at the start of the game and the start of the second half on our kickoff returns. (Knox) scored on both of those (sudden-change opportunities) … Our kids battled. We started in the hole 16-0 right away and we answered and took the lead 19-16. We gave up a late score going into the half … Time of possession was the other killer. I believe (Knox) had the ball 36 minutes and we had it for 12 … There are definitely a lot of positives that we can take away because (Knox) is a very good football team. We were right there with an opportunity and that’s all you can ever ask for.
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