Tigers Prove They're For Real
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
GOSHEN - Warsaw football coach Phil Jensen doesn't need the Pony Express, nor does he need a pigeon to relay the message his team is sending to its opponents this year.
In their first six games, the Tigers have done all the talking they've needed with their performance on the field. And if No. 3 (4A) Goshen hadn't gotten that message yet, it did Friday night.
The Tigers humiliated the Redskins 41-7 on their homecoming night, improving their overall record to 6-0 and more importantly to 3-0 in the Northern Lakes Conference. Goshen falls to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in league play.
The win avenges a 60-15 loss the Tigers suffered at their homecoming last year and also gives Warsaw its best record since 1992, when the Tigers started the season 6-0 before finishing 7-2 and claiming a share of the conference crown alongside NorthWood.
"I'm so proud of our kids," said Jensen, who was celebrating his first win over Goshen in his four-year stint with the Tigers. "I'm happy for them. I asked them before the game if it was all worth it. People that aren't in our program don't know how far we've come. It's not over yet, but a win like this will get the recognition from across the state that we deserve ... that we have more than basketball."
While Jensen was speaking of recognition after the victory, he was giving it to a group of players on his team that usually goes unnoticed: the offensive line.
"We have three juniors on the offensive line and a senior who didn't play there much last year," said Jensen. "They're big and bad and can play."
Warsaw's offensive line once again allowed senior quarterback Greg Seiss ample time to find his targets. Seiss completed 11 of 16 passes for 237 yards with no interceptions and two touchdowns. He also ran in from four yards out for the Tigers' first score of the evening. Brad Seiss led Warsaw on the ground with 18 carries for 109 yards while catching four passes for 138 yards. Brad Seiss accounted for four of Warsaw's six touchdowns: two rushing and two receiving.
One of his touchdowns set a school record: a 93-yard reception from his brother. Ross Kesler caught the other of Greg Seiss' touchdown tosses, an 11-yard strike with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.
Goshen's Andy Yoder completed 9 of 18 passes for 123 yards with one interception. Tom Mikel led the Redskins' ground game with 18 carries for 94 yards.
In total offense, the Tigers outgained the Redskins 453-251.
"We ran into a buzz saw," said Goshen coach Brad Park, "but we didn't help ourselves. Their offensive line was better than I anticipated. They're probably not the best defensive team we've played. We moved the ball against them. We just don't have the big play. We were on our heels defensively, there's no question about that."
Warsaw had the big play. Other than his record-setting 93-yard reception, Brad Seiss also scored on a 40-yard scamper.
After both teams went scoreless through the first 12 minutes of action, Warsaw lit up the scoreboard on the first play of the second quarter when Greg Seiss broke away from the defense and trotted in from four yards out with 11:51 remaining. In all, the high-octane Tigers put 27 points on the board in the second quarter.
In the first half, Warsaw accumulated a mere 21 yards rushing. In the second half, Jensen chose to put the ball in the air one time. He said he did that to keep the Goshen defense honest.
"In the second half I think we threw just once," said Jensen, "and that was just to let them know that the threat was still there. Our running backs ran hard, and Greg Seiss showed great leadership at quarterback."
Goshen's lone score came at the 10:13 mark of the second quarter when Dan Yoder escaped the Tiger defense for a 16-yard score.
Warsaw will host Wawasee (2-4, 1-3) Friday for its homecoming. Goshen will be at winless Northridge.
"Regardless of what happens, it's still Wawasee and it's for the 'W' trophy," said Jensen. "After that it's NorthWood and Concord and then the 5A sectional. These kids are learning to win, not only on the field, but how to win the right way."
The win was only the 22nd time Warsaw has defeated Goshen in school history. The Redskins lead the series 40-22. Nonetheless, the message was loud and clear.
WARSAW 41, GOSHEN 7
Warsaw 0 27 7 7 - 41
Goshen 0 7 0 0 - 7
W G
First Downs 17 12
Rushes-Yards 40-216 29-128
Passing Yards 237 123
Comp.-Att.-Int. 11-16-0 9-18-1
Total Offense 453 251
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-2
Punts-Avg. 1-5 1-38
Penalties-Yards 0-0 1-5
Second Quarter
W - Greg Seiss 4 run (Gabe Koser kick), 11:51
G - Dan Yoder 16 run (Vicenta Meija kick), 10:13
W - Brad Seiss 8 run (Koser kick), 7:26
W - B. Seiss 93 catch from G. Seiss (Koser kick), 2:20
W - Ross Kesler 11 catch from G. Seiss (kick failed), :12
Third Quarter
W - B. Seiss 40 run (Koser kick), 2:16
Fourth Quarter
W - B. Seiss 5 run (Koser kick), 6:06
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing - Warsaw, B. Seiss 18-109, Zach Sheetz 2-49, Mike Moore 12-41; Goshen, Tom Mikel 18-94, D. Yoder 6-25
Passing - Warsaw, G. Seiss 11-16-237-0; Goshen, A. Yoder 9-18-123-1
Receiving - Warsaw, B. Seiss 4-138, Kesler 6-90, Zach Nelson 1-18; Goshen, Tom Judd 3-41, Kevin Park 2-14 [[In-content Ad]]
GOSHEN - Warsaw football coach Phil Jensen doesn't need the Pony Express, nor does he need a pigeon to relay the message his team is sending to its opponents this year.
In their first six games, the Tigers have done all the talking they've needed with their performance on the field. And if No. 3 (4A) Goshen hadn't gotten that message yet, it did Friday night.
The Tigers humiliated the Redskins 41-7 on their homecoming night, improving their overall record to 6-0 and more importantly to 3-0 in the Northern Lakes Conference. Goshen falls to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in league play.
The win avenges a 60-15 loss the Tigers suffered at their homecoming last year and also gives Warsaw its best record since 1992, when the Tigers started the season 6-0 before finishing 7-2 and claiming a share of the conference crown alongside NorthWood.
"I'm so proud of our kids," said Jensen, who was celebrating his first win over Goshen in his four-year stint with the Tigers. "I'm happy for them. I asked them before the game if it was all worth it. People that aren't in our program don't know how far we've come. It's not over yet, but a win like this will get the recognition from across the state that we deserve ... that we have more than basketball."
While Jensen was speaking of recognition after the victory, he was giving it to a group of players on his team that usually goes unnoticed: the offensive line.
"We have three juniors on the offensive line and a senior who didn't play there much last year," said Jensen. "They're big and bad and can play."
Warsaw's offensive line once again allowed senior quarterback Greg Seiss ample time to find his targets. Seiss completed 11 of 16 passes for 237 yards with no interceptions and two touchdowns. He also ran in from four yards out for the Tigers' first score of the evening. Brad Seiss led Warsaw on the ground with 18 carries for 109 yards while catching four passes for 138 yards. Brad Seiss accounted for four of Warsaw's six touchdowns: two rushing and two receiving.
One of his touchdowns set a school record: a 93-yard reception from his brother. Ross Kesler caught the other of Greg Seiss' touchdown tosses, an 11-yard strike with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.
Goshen's Andy Yoder completed 9 of 18 passes for 123 yards with one interception. Tom Mikel led the Redskins' ground game with 18 carries for 94 yards.
In total offense, the Tigers outgained the Redskins 453-251.
"We ran into a buzz saw," said Goshen coach Brad Park, "but we didn't help ourselves. Their offensive line was better than I anticipated. They're probably not the best defensive team we've played. We moved the ball against them. We just don't have the big play. We were on our heels defensively, there's no question about that."
Warsaw had the big play. Other than his record-setting 93-yard reception, Brad Seiss also scored on a 40-yard scamper.
After both teams went scoreless through the first 12 minutes of action, Warsaw lit up the scoreboard on the first play of the second quarter when Greg Seiss broke away from the defense and trotted in from four yards out with 11:51 remaining. In all, the high-octane Tigers put 27 points on the board in the second quarter.
In the first half, Warsaw accumulated a mere 21 yards rushing. In the second half, Jensen chose to put the ball in the air one time. He said he did that to keep the Goshen defense honest.
"In the second half I think we threw just once," said Jensen, "and that was just to let them know that the threat was still there. Our running backs ran hard, and Greg Seiss showed great leadership at quarterback."
Goshen's lone score came at the 10:13 mark of the second quarter when Dan Yoder escaped the Tiger defense for a 16-yard score.
Warsaw will host Wawasee (2-4, 1-3) Friday for its homecoming. Goshen will be at winless Northridge.
"Regardless of what happens, it's still Wawasee and it's for the 'W' trophy," said Jensen. "After that it's NorthWood and Concord and then the 5A sectional. These kids are learning to win, not only on the field, but how to win the right way."
The win was only the 22nd time Warsaw has defeated Goshen in school history. The Redskins lead the series 40-22. Nonetheless, the message was loud and clear.
WARSAW 41, GOSHEN 7
Warsaw 0 27 7 7 - 41
Goshen 0 7 0 0 - 7
W G
First Downs 17 12
Rushes-Yards 40-216 29-128
Passing Yards 237 123
Comp.-Att.-Int. 11-16-0 9-18-1
Total Offense 453 251
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-2
Punts-Avg. 1-5 1-38
Penalties-Yards 0-0 1-5
Second Quarter
W - Greg Seiss 4 run (Gabe Koser kick), 11:51
G - Dan Yoder 16 run (Vicenta Meija kick), 10:13
W - Brad Seiss 8 run (Koser kick), 7:26
W - B. Seiss 93 catch from G. Seiss (Koser kick), 2:20
W - Ross Kesler 11 catch from G. Seiss (kick failed), :12
Third Quarter
W - B. Seiss 40 run (Koser kick), 2:16
Fourth Quarter
W - B. Seiss 5 run (Koser kick), 6:06
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing - Warsaw, B. Seiss 18-109, Zach Sheetz 2-49, Mike Moore 12-41; Goshen, Tom Mikel 18-94, D. Yoder 6-25
Passing - Warsaw, G. Seiss 11-16-237-0; Goshen, A. Yoder 9-18-123-1
Receiving - Warsaw, B. Seiss 4-138, Kesler 6-90, Zach Nelson 1-18; Goshen, Tom Judd 3-41, Kevin Park 2-14 [[In-content Ad]]