SYRACUSE - It's easy to focus on Joe Leach.

With 1,492 yards rushing, 1,952 yards passing, 20 rushing touchdowns and 22 passing touchdowns, Leach has garnered attention from around the state and from several Division I college programs.

But there's more to this year's 2006 Wawasee Warrior football team than the talented quarterback.

And Wawasee will need everyone Friday night in a rematch with host Plymouth for a spot in next week's Class 4A Sectional 10 championship.

Much of Leach's success starts with an undersized but effective offensive line.

Center Todd Jones is listed at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, which is more of a fullback's size than the run-of-the-mill offensive lineman.

The one prototypical offensive lineman, Travis Radford a 6-6, 320-pound wall, went down early in the season and was replaced with 6-4, 195-pound first-year player Barry Singrey.

"I think our offensive line has over-achieved this year," said Wawasee coach Joe Rietveld. "They talk and communicate in their own language which allows them to make adjustments and be effective."

Wawasee's offensive line is pretty much like the rest of the units on the Warrior squad, no superstars, just some solid athletes who do what's asked of them well.

Leach's wide reciever lacks a ton of size. Leach's favorite target fellow senior Andrew Mock is listed at 5-8. Mock has caught 36 balls for 676 yards, good for an 18.8 yards per catch average. Mock also has 11 touchdown receptions on the year.

And while Mock has game-breaking speed he lacks the size sometimes required to grab overthrows.

Nick Richardson, Brandon Geiger, Trent Brown ans Lance Zimmerman have stepped up to provide a myriad of options for Leach.

Richardson had 28 catches for 376 yards and two scores while Brandon Geiger has 27 catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Brown has 21 catches for 270 yards while Zimmerman has just 13 catches but a 16.5 yards per catch average and three touchdowns.

"If teams are going to double cover Andrew," said Rietveld. "Then we have four other receivers that Joe can get the ball too. None of those guys are burners but they also don't drop a lot of balls."

Leach's 64 percent completion rate is a testament to the sure hands of his receiving corps.

When the Warriors made it to the state finals in 2004 not only did they have dynamic quarterback like Leach (Kory Lantz), they also had a dangerous running back in Jordan Swain.

It would be ufnair to compare current Wawasee running back Tom Schwartz to Swain.

Schwartz is only a sophomore as compared to Swain who was a senior during the Warriors' state run.

Swain was an elusive runner with game-breaking speed. Schwartz is more of a bruiser and is expected to do less than Swain was.

That being said, Schwartz has been pretty productive in his first full-year as a starter. Schwartz has rushed 98 times for 562 yards which is good for a 6.8 yards per carry average. Schwartz has the only three touchdowns for Wawasee that can't be claimed by Leach as either the rusher or passer.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Warriors have given up some big plays but feel confident going into Friday.

The defense is led by linebacker Zimmerman and safety Tyson Kaase. Both were named all-Northern Lakes Conference.

Zimmerman has emerged the ultimate team guy for Wawasee.

If the situation calls for it, Rietveld will give Zimmerman more time at tight end. Otherwise, he gets most of his reps at linebacker. Zimmerman also has punted on occasion for Wawasee.

"Lance has done a great job of being a leader along with a few other guys," said Rietveld. "He could be a go to guy on offense but he's happy with whatever can do to make his team better."

"Our mindset is that its going to be a close, physical game," said Rietveld of facing Plymouth. "Both teams are physical, both teams are well coached. It's going to come down to who makes the least mistakes."

In their first matchup Sept. 22, the Warriors escaped with a 31-29 win on a last-second field goal by John Miller after the Rockies were called for an unsportmanlike penalty after Miller missed his first attempt.

Plymouth was also plagued by several dropped ball, mainly by senior standout Alex Quintana.

After the Rockies lost to Wawasse, they lost to a juggernaut in Concord 42-21, needed overtime to get past Goshen 41-38 and fell to NorthWood 13-7.

The Rockies are led on the ground by Brent Corbett and Chad Clinton who have rushed for 489 and 468 yards respectively.

Clinton also serves as Plymouth's signal caller with 1555 yards through the air and 13 touchdown passes.

Mitch Glassburn is Plymouth's top receiver with 385 yards on 16 catches.

Kickoff for Friday night is set for 7 p.m. at the Rock Pile in Plymouth. [[In-content Ad]]