Warsaw Tigers Looking For New Identity
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
In terms of Warsaw Community High School’s varsity football team, for the past two seasons that player was standout running back Tristan McClone.
All McClone did in two seasons was power his way to 3,340 yards, setting school records for yards in a game and season along the way.
But with the graduation of McClone, who is now playing at Marian University, and no starters returning to the offensive side of the ball, it’s fair to say coach Phil Jensen’s Tigers are looking for a new identity.
“Tristan was the best player we had,” said Jensen, whose team finished last year with a 7-4 record after falling at Carroll in the Class 6A sectional championship game.
“We still have the same philosphy ... we still want to be a ball-control team,” added Jensen. “We’re just going to be different. What we have are tall basketball and baseball-type players. Those are the athletes we have. That’s what we’re going to build around. We don’t have any starters returning on offense. We’re going to be different than we we’ve been the last couple years.”
While Jensen doesn’t plan on abandoning the running game completely, he does plan to utilize his taller athletes in more of a passing offense, though he said “it won’t be completely wide open.”
“We probably threw more in the scrimmage than we did the first two or three games last year,” said Jensen, whose team opens the season Friday with a 7 p.m. game at Columbia City. “We were healthy in the scrimmage. I liked what I saw for the most part. We did some good things, and there are some things we need to work on. Overall, I was pleased.”
Senior Jake Mangas will get the nod at quarterback and some of his targets will include 6-foot-4 junior Riley Rhoades, 6-2 sophomore Kyle Mangas, 6-3 junior Sterling Hay, 6-3 junior Thomas Hickerson, 6-2 junior Brock Riley and 6-3 sophomore Jeremy David.
While the 6-2 Jake Mangas was the backup to the now-graduated Austin Head last year, he does have varsity experience, having started a number of games as a sophomore while Head was injured.
“Jake is our quarterback,” said Jensen. “He played four or five games as a sophomore and was the backup last year. He’s a very, very smart kid. He’s got some tall, athletic receivers to throw to. We’re blessed with some tall, athletic kids.”
The task of battling in the trenches and protecting Mangas and his targets will fall on the shoulders of seniors Eric Kreider and Travis Lane, juniors Joe Jackson, Caleb Moore and Drew Brock, and sophomore Aaron Lewis.
On defense, the Tigers return five starters, including seniors Ben Plummer and Caleb Wooldridge on the line, senior Darren Schaefer at linebacker and senior Ethyn Bradley in the secondary.
Others that figure into Warsaw’s defensive plans this season include juniors Landan Perry and Mario Flores in the secondary, junior Ross Armey at linebacker and junior Michael Miotto on the line.
Following Friday’s game at Columbia City, the Tigers host East Noble on Aug. 29 and then open Northern Lakes Conference play at Plymouth on Sept. 5.
“Until someone knocks Concord and Plymouth off, they’re going to be the teams you talk about,” Jensen said of the NLC. “Wawasee has a Division I receiver. Northridge has some kids back. Elkhart Memorial has some athletes. You have two brand new coaches at NorthWood and Goshen trying to restore their tradition. It ought to be a tough year in the NLC.”[[In-content Ad]]
In terms of Warsaw Community High School’s varsity football team, for the past two seasons that player was standout running back Tristan McClone.
All McClone did in two seasons was power his way to 3,340 yards, setting school records for yards in a game and season along the way.
But with the graduation of McClone, who is now playing at Marian University, and no starters returning to the offensive side of the ball, it’s fair to say coach Phil Jensen’s Tigers are looking for a new identity.
“Tristan was the best player we had,” said Jensen, whose team finished last year with a 7-4 record after falling at Carroll in the Class 6A sectional championship game.
“We still have the same philosphy ... we still want to be a ball-control team,” added Jensen. “We’re just going to be different. What we have are tall basketball and baseball-type players. Those are the athletes we have. That’s what we’re going to build around. We don’t have any starters returning on offense. We’re going to be different than we we’ve been the last couple years.”
While Jensen doesn’t plan on abandoning the running game completely, he does plan to utilize his taller athletes in more of a passing offense, though he said “it won’t be completely wide open.”
“We probably threw more in the scrimmage than we did the first two or three games last year,” said Jensen, whose team opens the season Friday with a 7 p.m. game at Columbia City. “We were healthy in the scrimmage. I liked what I saw for the most part. We did some good things, and there are some things we need to work on. Overall, I was pleased.”
Senior Jake Mangas will get the nod at quarterback and some of his targets will include 6-foot-4 junior Riley Rhoades, 6-2 sophomore Kyle Mangas, 6-3 junior Sterling Hay, 6-3 junior Thomas Hickerson, 6-2 junior Brock Riley and 6-3 sophomore Jeremy David.
While the 6-2 Jake Mangas was the backup to the now-graduated Austin Head last year, he does have varsity experience, having started a number of games as a sophomore while Head was injured.
“Jake is our quarterback,” said Jensen. “He played four or five games as a sophomore and was the backup last year. He’s a very, very smart kid. He’s got some tall, athletic receivers to throw to. We’re blessed with some tall, athletic kids.”
The task of battling in the trenches and protecting Mangas and his targets will fall on the shoulders of seniors Eric Kreider and Travis Lane, juniors Joe Jackson, Caleb Moore and Drew Brock, and sophomore Aaron Lewis.
On defense, the Tigers return five starters, including seniors Ben Plummer and Caleb Wooldridge on the line, senior Darren Schaefer at linebacker and senior Ethyn Bradley in the secondary.
Others that figure into Warsaw’s defensive plans this season include juniors Landan Perry and Mario Flores in the secondary, junior Ross Armey at linebacker and junior Michael Miotto on the line.
Following Friday’s game at Columbia City, the Tigers host East Noble on Aug. 29 and then open Northern Lakes Conference play at Plymouth on Sept. 5.
“Until someone knocks Concord and Plymouth off, they’re going to be the teams you talk about,” Jensen said of the NLC. “Wawasee has a Division I receiver. Northridge has some kids back. Elkhart Memorial has some athletes. You have two brand new coaches at NorthWood and Goshen trying to restore their tradition. It ought to be a tough year in the NLC.”[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092