Tigers Blank Bruins In Sectional Opener
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
"It wasn't pretty, but we get to practice Monday and we get to play at home Friday," said Warsaw coach Phil Jensen, whose Tigers beat the host Bruins 21-0 on a wet, sloppy field on which players struggled to get their footing. "I'm awful proud of the kids. It wasn't pretty, but we got the job done."[[In-content Ad]]With the win, Warsaw advanced to Friday's sectional semifinal round. The Tigers will host the Homestead Spartans, who opened sectional play with a 26-3 win over Carroll.
Warsaw played at Homestead in the second game of the season and led 10-0 before falling 31-17.
That loss at Homestead started a four-game losing streak. The Tigers are currently on a five-game win streak, however, and are playing like a completely different team.
"It feels great to win a game in the sectional," said Warsaw senior receiver Zack Linky, who caught three passes for 52 yards against Northrop, including a 17-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter. "We played with Homestead for a half earlier in the season. This time we need to finish the job."
In the last three weeks, the Tigers have had little trouble finishing the job, giving up just a total of six points to NorthWood, Concord and Northrop.
Warsaw, which improved to 6-4 on the season, allowed the Bruins just 68 yards on the ground and 33 through the air.
Northrop, which finished the season 0-9 and on a 13-game losing streak dating back to last season, punted six times.
"We overcame a lot of adversity this week with the flu, injuries and fall break," said Jensen. "The big thing is we get to play again. It's nice to play in round two (of the sectional), but we have to get a lot better. Homestead is a great team. They're very well-coached. It's a huge challenge and huge opportunity for us."
Warsaw's defense struck early against the Bruins, recovering a fumble on the second play of the game.
The Tigers started their first offensive drive on the Northrop 19-yard line, and on the fourth play, senior running back Andy Conrad scored on an eight-yard touchdown run.
The Warsaw defense, which also came up with an interception in the game, forced the Bruins into a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and the Tigers capitalized again, this time as senior quarterback Justin Clemens hooked up with Linky for a 17-yard touchdown pass to cap an eight-play, 61-yard drive.
Matt Franco's extra-point kick gave Warsaw a 14-0 lead with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter.
Though the field conditions were less than ideal, Clemens and the Tigers were able to hurt the Bruins with the passing game.
Clemens had passed for a total of 566 yards and two touchdowns in eight previous starts this season. Friday he finished the game with 102 passing yards and two touchdowns.
"Linky made some nice catches," said Jensen. "Justin threw the ball well. They were keying on Andy, and that opened some things up."
Linky also caught passes of 15 and 20 yards.
"The field was awful," said Linky, who has caught three of Clemens' four touchdown passes this season. "Every time you took a step the ground caved in. Justin threw the ball well, and we were able to get out of here without any injuries. It just feels great to know we get to play again Friday."
Junior tight end Cody Bragg, filling in for the ailing Jalen Roscoe, caught two passes for 40 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Bragg didn't have any receptions in a varsity game this season prior to Friday.
Junior Keelan Simpson had one catch for 10 yards in the win.
Conrad led the Tigers' ground game with 19 carries for 121 yards.
Sam Buchanan led Northrop's rushing attack with 16 carries for 46 yards.
Bruins quarterback Colin Bouillon completed 2 of 7 passes for 32 yards.
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"It wasn't pretty, but we get to practice Monday and we get to play at home Friday," said Warsaw coach Phil Jensen, whose Tigers beat the host Bruins 21-0 on a wet, sloppy field on which players struggled to get their footing. "I'm awful proud of the kids. It wasn't pretty, but we got the job done."[[In-content Ad]]With the win, Warsaw advanced to Friday's sectional semifinal round. The Tigers will host the Homestead Spartans, who opened sectional play with a 26-3 win over Carroll.
Warsaw played at Homestead in the second game of the season and led 10-0 before falling 31-17.
That loss at Homestead started a four-game losing streak. The Tigers are currently on a five-game win streak, however, and are playing like a completely different team.
"It feels great to win a game in the sectional," said Warsaw senior receiver Zack Linky, who caught three passes for 52 yards against Northrop, including a 17-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter. "We played with Homestead for a half earlier in the season. This time we need to finish the job."
In the last three weeks, the Tigers have had little trouble finishing the job, giving up just a total of six points to NorthWood, Concord and Northrop.
Warsaw, which improved to 6-4 on the season, allowed the Bruins just 68 yards on the ground and 33 through the air.
Northrop, which finished the season 0-9 and on a 13-game losing streak dating back to last season, punted six times.
"We overcame a lot of adversity this week with the flu, injuries and fall break," said Jensen. "The big thing is we get to play again. It's nice to play in round two (of the sectional), but we have to get a lot better. Homestead is a great team. They're very well-coached. It's a huge challenge and huge opportunity for us."
Warsaw's defense struck early against the Bruins, recovering a fumble on the second play of the game.
The Tigers started their first offensive drive on the Northrop 19-yard line, and on the fourth play, senior running back Andy Conrad scored on an eight-yard touchdown run.
The Warsaw defense, which also came up with an interception in the game, forced the Bruins into a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and the Tigers capitalized again, this time as senior quarterback Justin Clemens hooked up with Linky for a 17-yard touchdown pass to cap an eight-play, 61-yard drive.
Matt Franco's extra-point kick gave Warsaw a 14-0 lead with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter.
Though the field conditions were less than ideal, Clemens and the Tigers were able to hurt the Bruins with the passing game.
Clemens had passed for a total of 566 yards and two touchdowns in eight previous starts this season. Friday he finished the game with 102 passing yards and two touchdowns.
"Linky made some nice catches," said Jensen. "Justin threw the ball well. They were keying on Andy, and that opened some things up."
Linky also caught passes of 15 and 20 yards.
"The field was awful," said Linky, who has caught three of Clemens' four touchdown passes this season. "Every time you took a step the ground caved in. Justin threw the ball well, and we were able to get out of here without any injuries. It just feels great to know we get to play again Friday."
Junior tight end Cody Bragg, filling in for the ailing Jalen Roscoe, caught two passes for 40 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Bragg didn't have any receptions in a varsity game this season prior to Friday.
Junior Keelan Simpson had one catch for 10 yards in the win.
Conrad led the Tigers' ground game with 19 carries for 121 yards.
Sam Buchanan led Northrop's rushing attack with 16 carries for 46 yards.
Bruins quarterback Colin Bouillon completed 2 of 7 passes for 32 yards.
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