Tigers Open Akers Era With Win
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
COLUMBIA CITY - His focus on a balanced attack and remaining injury-free, Troy Akers' mission was accomplished Friday night in his first game as Warsaw's head football coach.
Scoring in a variety of ways, including a a pair of long passes, a long run and a 47-yard field goal, the new-look Tigers opened the 2004 season with a 26-14 win at U.S. 30 rival Columbia City.
With Friday's win, the Tigers have opened the season with a victory over Columbia City in seven consecutive seasons.
"It wasn't pretty all the time, but there were some times where we looked pretty good," said Akers, who worked under former coach Phil Jensen as defensive coordinator the past eight seasons.
Though he now calls the offensive plays, Akers' impact on the defense was evident.
Tabbed in the preseason as a strong defensive team, the Tigers were just that Friday at Max Gandy Athletic Field, as the Tigers held Columbia City's rushing attack to negative six yards on 21 attempts.
Warsaw senior Scott Sands made the first big defensive play of the game, intercepting a pass from quarterback Levi Knach on Columbia City's first play from scrimmage. Sands, who led Warsaw with seven picks a year ago, had two in the first quarter Friday.
Warsaw's offense, which at times struggled with penalties, followed suit of its defense and came through with a big play as senior quarterback Michael Wienhorst connected with classmate Antonio Castillo for a 55-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing play.
The pass appeared to be too far ahead of Castillo, but the speedy 6-foot, 177-pound receiver ran under it and made a circus-style, one-handed catch and ran it in for the first score of the game.
Castillo finished the game with three receptions for 112 yards. Nathan Abbitt had two receptions for 45 yards, inclucing a 38-yard touchdown pass from Wienhorst that made the score 23-7 in the fourth quarter.
"We aren't blessed with a lot of size," said Akers. "What we have is athletes with speed."
Warsaw's speed was evident on both sides of the ball, whether it was senior tailback Thomas Balestri changing directions like Barry Sanders used to for the Detroit Lions, or Warsaw's defense that seemed to spend as much time in Columbia's backfield as its quarterback and running back did.
Balestri, who showed no visible signs of summer arthroscopic knee surgery, scored the Tigers' second touchdown of the game, wowing the Warsaw crowd as he took a handoff on Columbia City's 29-yard line, ran to the Eagles' sideline, back toward Warsaw's side of the field and down the sideline and into the end zone for a touchdown with 2:09 remaining in the first half.
Balestri finished the game with 101 yards on 16 carries. Dan Scott had 29 yards on five carries for Warsaw, while Tyler Hamman had four carries for 29 yards and Wienhorst four carries for 29 yards, including a 16-yard gain after escaping the grasp of two would-be Columbia City tacklers.
Senior Nathaniel Fitzsimmons accounted for Warsaw's next score, kicking a 22-yard field goal with 9:08 left in the third that gave the Tigers a 16-7 lead.
Abbitt's 38-yard touchdown catch midway through the fourth quarter made it 23-7, and then Jordan Quiroz made good on his 47-yard attempt.
Quiroz joined the Tiger football program this year, and is still part of coach Scott Bauer's soccer team.
After sending a 40-yard attempt wide left in the first quarter, Quiroz's 47-yard attempt was centered and plenty long enough.
"I think we've got a great kicking game," said Akers. "Nathaniel Fitzsimmons is coming off a knee injury and is working hard, and Jordan Quiroz, I'd like to know what former Tiger kicker has made a 47-yard field goal. He's blessed with talent."
Columbia City's two scores came at the ends of each half.
Knach connected with Kyle Rucks on a 36-yard scoring strike with 21 seconds left in the second quarter, and then with Rucks again on a 12-yard touchdown toss with 27 seconds remaining in the fourth.
Knach, who finished the game with nine carries for negative 25 yards rushing, completed 7 of 19 passes for 107 yards with two interceptions.
Warsaw is in action Friday, hosting Homestead at Fisher Field. Columbia City battles Whitley County rival Whitko.
WARSAW 26, COL. CITY 14
Warsaw 7 6 0 13 - 26
Col. City 0 7 0 7 - 14
W S
First downs 12 6
Rushing yards 211 -6
Passing yards 174 107
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-21-1 7-19-2
Total offense 385 101
Fumbles/lost 2/2 2/10
Punts/avg. 2-28 5-30.8
First Quarter
W - Michael Wienhorst 55 pass to Antonio Castillo (Nathaniel Fitzsimmons kick) 3:57, 7-0
Second Quarter
W - Thomas Balestri 29 run (kick blocked) 2:09, 13-0
CC - Levi Knach 36 pass to Kyle Rucks (Travis Preston kick) :21, 13-7
Fourth Quarter
W - Fitzsimmons 22 field goal 9:08, 16-7
W - Wienhorst 38 pass to Nathan Abbitt (Fitzsimmons kick) 5:24, 23-7
W - Jordan Quiroz 47 field goal 1:06, 26-7
CC - Knach 12 pass to Rucks (Nick Setterfield kick) :27, 26-14
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing - Warsaw, Balestri 16-101, Dan Scott 5-29, Tyler Hamman 4-29, Wienhorst 4-29, Dale Wood 3-14, Blake Deaton 2-(-2), J.W. Maierle 1-7; Col. City, Drew Bianski 9-12, Levi Knach 9-(-25), Adam Macy 2-0, Guillermo Perales 1-7
Passing - Warsaw, Wienhorst 8-20-174, 1 INT, 2 TD, Tyler Akers 0-1-0; Col. City, Knach 7-19-107, 2 INT, 2 TDs
Receiving - Warsaw, Castillo 3-112, Abbitt 2-45, Balestri 1-12, Wood 1-5, Tyler Stouder 1-0; Col. City, Rucks 2-46, Kameron Bailey 2-32, Bianski 2-16, Matt Curry 1-13 [[In-content Ad]]
COLUMBIA CITY - His focus on a balanced attack and remaining injury-free, Troy Akers' mission was accomplished Friday night in his first game as Warsaw's head football coach.
Scoring in a variety of ways, including a a pair of long passes, a long run and a 47-yard field goal, the new-look Tigers opened the 2004 season with a 26-14 win at U.S. 30 rival Columbia City.
With Friday's win, the Tigers have opened the season with a victory over Columbia City in seven consecutive seasons.
"It wasn't pretty all the time, but there were some times where we looked pretty good," said Akers, who worked under former coach Phil Jensen as defensive coordinator the past eight seasons.
Though he now calls the offensive plays, Akers' impact on the defense was evident.
Tabbed in the preseason as a strong defensive team, the Tigers were just that Friday at Max Gandy Athletic Field, as the Tigers held Columbia City's rushing attack to negative six yards on 21 attempts.
Warsaw senior Scott Sands made the first big defensive play of the game, intercepting a pass from quarterback Levi Knach on Columbia City's first play from scrimmage. Sands, who led Warsaw with seven picks a year ago, had two in the first quarter Friday.
Warsaw's offense, which at times struggled with penalties, followed suit of its defense and came through with a big play as senior quarterback Michael Wienhorst connected with classmate Antonio Castillo for a 55-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing play.
The pass appeared to be too far ahead of Castillo, but the speedy 6-foot, 177-pound receiver ran under it and made a circus-style, one-handed catch and ran it in for the first score of the game.
Castillo finished the game with three receptions for 112 yards. Nathan Abbitt had two receptions for 45 yards, inclucing a 38-yard touchdown pass from Wienhorst that made the score 23-7 in the fourth quarter.
"We aren't blessed with a lot of size," said Akers. "What we have is athletes with speed."
Warsaw's speed was evident on both sides of the ball, whether it was senior tailback Thomas Balestri changing directions like Barry Sanders used to for the Detroit Lions, or Warsaw's defense that seemed to spend as much time in Columbia's backfield as its quarterback and running back did.
Balestri, who showed no visible signs of summer arthroscopic knee surgery, scored the Tigers' second touchdown of the game, wowing the Warsaw crowd as he took a handoff on Columbia City's 29-yard line, ran to the Eagles' sideline, back toward Warsaw's side of the field and down the sideline and into the end zone for a touchdown with 2:09 remaining in the first half.
Balestri finished the game with 101 yards on 16 carries. Dan Scott had 29 yards on five carries for Warsaw, while Tyler Hamman had four carries for 29 yards and Wienhorst four carries for 29 yards, including a 16-yard gain after escaping the grasp of two would-be Columbia City tacklers.
Senior Nathaniel Fitzsimmons accounted for Warsaw's next score, kicking a 22-yard field goal with 9:08 left in the third that gave the Tigers a 16-7 lead.
Abbitt's 38-yard touchdown catch midway through the fourth quarter made it 23-7, and then Jordan Quiroz made good on his 47-yard attempt.
Quiroz joined the Tiger football program this year, and is still part of coach Scott Bauer's soccer team.
After sending a 40-yard attempt wide left in the first quarter, Quiroz's 47-yard attempt was centered and plenty long enough.
"I think we've got a great kicking game," said Akers. "Nathaniel Fitzsimmons is coming off a knee injury and is working hard, and Jordan Quiroz, I'd like to know what former Tiger kicker has made a 47-yard field goal. He's blessed with talent."
Columbia City's two scores came at the ends of each half.
Knach connected with Kyle Rucks on a 36-yard scoring strike with 21 seconds left in the second quarter, and then with Rucks again on a 12-yard touchdown toss with 27 seconds remaining in the fourth.
Knach, who finished the game with nine carries for negative 25 yards rushing, completed 7 of 19 passes for 107 yards with two interceptions.
Warsaw is in action Friday, hosting Homestead at Fisher Field. Columbia City battles Whitley County rival Whitko.
WARSAW 26, COL. CITY 14
Warsaw 7 6 0 13 - 26
Col. City 0 7 0 7 - 14
W S
First downs 12 6
Rushing yards 211 -6
Passing yards 174 107
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-21-1 7-19-2
Total offense 385 101
Fumbles/lost 2/2 2/10
Punts/avg. 2-28 5-30.8
First Quarter
W - Michael Wienhorst 55 pass to Antonio Castillo (Nathaniel Fitzsimmons kick) 3:57, 7-0
Second Quarter
W - Thomas Balestri 29 run (kick blocked) 2:09, 13-0
CC - Levi Knach 36 pass to Kyle Rucks (Travis Preston kick) :21, 13-7
Fourth Quarter
W - Fitzsimmons 22 field goal 9:08, 16-7
W - Wienhorst 38 pass to Nathan Abbitt (Fitzsimmons kick) 5:24, 23-7
W - Jordan Quiroz 47 field goal 1:06, 26-7
CC - Knach 12 pass to Rucks (Nick Setterfield kick) :27, 26-14
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing - Warsaw, Balestri 16-101, Dan Scott 5-29, Tyler Hamman 4-29, Wienhorst 4-29, Dale Wood 3-14, Blake Deaton 2-(-2), J.W. Maierle 1-7; Col. City, Drew Bianski 9-12, Levi Knach 9-(-25), Adam Macy 2-0, Guillermo Perales 1-7
Passing - Warsaw, Wienhorst 8-20-174, 1 INT, 2 TD, Tyler Akers 0-1-0; Col. City, Knach 7-19-107, 2 INT, 2 TDs
Receiving - Warsaw, Castillo 3-112, Abbitt 2-45, Balestri 1-12, Wood 1-5, Tyler Stouder 1-0; Col. City, Rucks 2-46, Kameron Bailey 2-32, Bianski 2-16, Matt Curry 1-13 [[In-content Ad]]