Warriors Lose Heartbreaker
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Mark Howe-
So the 15-12 Warrior loss Friday night in Syracuse didn't sit well with head coach Tom Wogomon, especially when the winning touchdown was scored despite his defense's hustle.
As time ran down in the third quarter, Concord's DuWhan Alford dropped a handoff from sophomore quarterback Trevor Wilmore.
As eight defenders dove to recover the fumble, the junior running back picked up the ball and ran 53 yards for the touchdown, his second of the game, to give the Minutemen a lead they would not return to their hosts.
In all, Alford rushed for 115 yards on 21 carries.
"To lose a ballgame when they're fumbling the snap, and we're converging on it (is tough)," Wogomon said. "Alford did a great job making something out of nothing. You're looking at how football is just a matter of a spin. It's a heartbreaking way to lose. Our defense was playing well, and it's an unbelievable way to lose a football game."
The Warriors fell to 2-2 on the year, 1-1 in the Northern Lakes Conference, while Concord now sits at 3-1 overall and 3-0 in the NLC.
The defense had given the Warriors a lead three-and-a-half minutes prior to the Alford run, when it pinned Concord deep in its own territory and Wilmore tried a middle screen pass.
Wawasee junior linebacker Brian Clark thwarted the quarterback's plan when he intercepted the ball and rambled 16 yards for the score.
It was the third touchdown Wawasee had scored this season on defense or special teams.
The contest began after a pregame shower softened the field, making conditions slick for both teams.
Early on, it appeared the wet grass would have no effect on the game, with Wawasee senior Zac Patrick returning the opening kickoff to the Concord 43.
After a Warrior three-and-out, Wilmore found classmate Adam Glanders for a 75-yard catch and run on the Minutemen's opening play. Three plays later, Alford rumbled in from three yards out to stake Concord to an early 7-0 lead.
Wawasee senior placekicker Kyle Clevenger kept his team close with a pair of first half field goals, from 39 and 21 yards out, cutting the lead to one by halftime.
Concord head coach Tim Dawson recognized the good fortune of his team, and the improvement in the Wawasee squad.
"Somehow we keep finding ways to win," he said. "We're a young squad, and to have turned the ball over 14 times and still be 3-1 on the year (3-0 in the NLC) is pretty amazing.
"That's a hard hitting, well-coached team," he added. "I said last week we had to coach for 48 minutes, and our kids played for 48 minutes. Our hats are off to coach Wogomon and his team. This is the best Wawasee team we've seen in a while. Unfortunately, we're in the same sectional they are, so that could be interesting."
Wogomon was equally complimentary, but is looking forward to a possible rematch.
"You know, those guys from Dunlap keep finding ways to win, and that's a tribute to their coaching staff and their kids," he said. "They find a way to get it done. We did talk after the game about maybe seeing those guys again in the sectional. That would be another exciting ball game."[[In-content Ad]]
So the 15-12 Warrior loss Friday night in Syracuse didn't sit well with head coach Tom Wogomon, especially when the winning touchdown was scored despite his defense's hustle.
As time ran down in the third quarter, Concord's DuWhan Alford dropped a handoff from sophomore quarterback Trevor Wilmore.
As eight defenders dove to recover the fumble, the junior running back picked up the ball and ran 53 yards for the touchdown, his second of the game, to give the Minutemen a lead they would not return to their hosts.
In all, Alford rushed for 115 yards on 21 carries.
"To lose a ballgame when they're fumbling the snap, and we're converging on it (is tough)," Wogomon said. "Alford did a great job making something out of nothing. You're looking at how football is just a matter of a spin. It's a heartbreaking way to lose. Our defense was playing well, and it's an unbelievable way to lose a football game."
The Warriors fell to 2-2 on the year, 1-1 in the Northern Lakes Conference, while Concord now sits at 3-1 overall and 3-0 in the NLC.
The defense had given the Warriors a lead three-and-a-half minutes prior to the Alford run, when it pinned Concord deep in its own territory and Wilmore tried a middle screen pass.
Wawasee junior linebacker Brian Clark thwarted the quarterback's plan when he intercepted the ball and rambled 16 yards for the score.
It was the third touchdown Wawasee had scored this season on defense or special teams.
The contest began after a pregame shower softened the field, making conditions slick for both teams.
Early on, it appeared the wet grass would have no effect on the game, with Wawasee senior Zac Patrick returning the opening kickoff to the Concord 43.
After a Warrior three-and-out, Wilmore found classmate Adam Glanders for a 75-yard catch and run on the Minutemen's opening play. Three plays later, Alford rumbled in from three yards out to stake Concord to an early 7-0 lead.
Wawasee senior placekicker Kyle Clevenger kept his team close with a pair of first half field goals, from 39 and 21 yards out, cutting the lead to one by halftime.
Concord head coach Tim Dawson recognized the good fortune of his team, and the improvement in the Wawasee squad.
"Somehow we keep finding ways to win," he said. "We're a young squad, and to have turned the ball over 14 times and still be 3-1 on the year (3-0 in the NLC) is pretty amazing.
"That's a hard hitting, well-coached team," he added. "I said last week we had to coach for 48 minutes, and our kids played for 48 minutes. Our hats are off to coach Wogomon and his team. This is the best Wawasee team we've seen in a while. Unfortunately, we're in the same sectional they are, so that could be interesting."
Wogomon was equally complimentary, but is looking forward to a possible rematch.
"You know, those guys from Dunlap keep finding ways to win, and that's a tribute to their coaching staff and their kids," he said. "They find a way to get it done. We did talk after the game about maybe seeing those guys again in the sectional. That would be another exciting ball game."[[In-content Ad]]
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