New Warsaw QB Boasts Size, Speed
August 17, 2017 at 2:49 p.m.
New Warsaw QB Boasts Size, Speed
By Dale [email protected]
His speed, which qualified him for the state track and field meet a few months ago in the 100 and 200 as well as the 4x100, makes him even more of a threat to opposing defenses.
Larsh, a receiver on last year’s Warsaw football team, hasn’t started a game under center since 8th grade, but that’s exactly where he’ll be Friday night when the Tigers host Columbia City in the season opener.
Larsh will guide this year’s Warsaw offense following the graduation of record-setting quarterback Michael Jensen.
Jensen, a two-year starter for his father/coach Phil Jensen, threw for 2,044 yards and 25 touchdowns last year as the Tigers went 6-5 overall, 4-3 in the Northern Lakes Conference, and advanced to the Class 6A sectional finals.
Also lost graduation was tight end Jeremy David, receivers D’Andre Street and Devin Street, and All-American kicker Andrew Mevis.
That receiving trio combined for 97 catches for 1,577 yards and 22 scores through the air.
The elder Jensen, entering his 18th season at Warsaw and 22nd overall as a head coach, said Larsh has a strong arm and the ability to throw the ball, but describes this year’s offense as “run-first.”
“It was the biggest hit in terms of we’re not going to throw the ball 40 times a game,” Jensen said when asked about the holes graduation left on his team’s offense.
“That’s what those guys were geared to do, so we threw the ball. This year’s group is different. Tristan Larsh is big and strong and fast, we’ve got Will McGarvey back, and we’ve got depth at running back. We’re going to be more of a run-first team than one that throws it all over the field. That plays to our strength.”
The 6-foot, 200-pound McGarvey is back for his senior season at running back. He carried the ball 173 times last year for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns, averaging six yards per attempt.
Others who could help carry the rushing load include juniors Bryce Garner and Cobe VanHouten, and sophomore Johnny Feldman.
Seniors Trevor York and Zach Riley have experience at receiver, while seniors Jack Tucker and Andrew Owens are expected to play tight end.
Seniors Dalton Smoker and Keegan Bays, and junior Matt Shoemaker have experience on the offensive line, while the names of seniors Jacob Rios, Dillon Estep, Grant Wolfe and Craig Miner could also be penciled into the lineup in the trenches.
“You’re not going to be able to put 11 in the box, we’ll still throw the ball down the field, we’re just going to be a little more selective about it,” said Jensen.
Seniors Lane McClone John Svinarich and Riley highlight the list of returners on defense.
McClone, an inside linebacker, was third on the team in tackles last year with 50, while Riley made 27.5 tackles from his secondary position, and Svinarich 15.5 while playing on the line.
“Up front, we’re in good shape,” Jensen said of his defense. “We’ve got good experience on the line. John Svinarich is back, Jack Tucker is back, Braxton DeFord played a lot last year as a sophomore. Those will be our three starters on our defensive line right now.
“It’s in the next level where we lost a lot, we lost a lot in our linebacking corps. Lane McClone is back ... he didn’t play in the scrimmage because of a little injury, but hopefully he’ll be alright for Columbia City. After that it’s all new guys at linebacker. We’re looking at Braden Weaver, John Culbertson, Andrew Owens, Logan Johnson. Those guys are all getting a lot of reps. Like the offensive line, we’re playing a lot of guys and trying to figure it out.
“In the secondary, we’ve got Zach Riley back, who was a starter. Kendal Miller is back. Their experience is nice to have, and then we have to figure out is (Trenton) Sands gonna play back at safety? Is Kendal gonna play corner? Can Eli (Owen) play back there? Blake Marsh, a sophomore, has looked good. We’re just trying to figure out where the pieces fit best.”
Following Friday’s opener against Columbia City, the Tigers travel to East Noble on Aug. 25.
Warsaw will open Northern Lakes Conference play by hosting Plymouth in Week 3.
Jensen enters the season with 127 career wins. He needs two victories to reach the century mark at Warsaw, and five to tie George Fisher for the program’s high-water mark.
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His speed, which qualified him for the state track and field meet a few months ago in the 100 and 200 as well as the 4x100, makes him even more of a threat to opposing defenses.
Larsh, a receiver on last year’s Warsaw football team, hasn’t started a game under center since 8th grade, but that’s exactly where he’ll be Friday night when the Tigers host Columbia City in the season opener.
Larsh will guide this year’s Warsaw offense following the graduation of record-setting quarterback Michael Jensen.
Jensen, a two-year starter for his father/coach Phil Jensen, threw for 2,044 yards and 25 touchdowns last year as the Tigers went 6-5 overall, 4-3 in the Northern Lakes Conference, and advanced to the Class 6A sectional finals.
Also lost graduation was tight end Jeremy David, receivers D’Andre Street and Devin Street, and All-American kicker Andrew Mevis.
That receiving trio combined for 97 catches for 1,577 yards and 22 scores through the air.
The elder Jensen, entering his 18th season at Warsaw and 22nd overall as a head coach, said Larsh has a strong arm and the ability to throw the ball, but describes this year’s offense as “run-first.”
“It was the biggest hit in terms of we’re not going to throw the ball 40 times a game,” Jensen said when asked about the holes graduation left on his team’s offense.
“That’s what those guys were geared to do, so we threw the ball. This year’s group is different. Tristan Larsh is big and strong and fast, we’ve got Will McGarvey back, and we’ve got depth at running back. We’re going to be more of a run-first team than one that throws it all over the field. That plays to our strength.”
The 6-foot, 200-pound McGarvey is back for his senior season at running back. He carried the ball 173 times last year for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns, averaging six yards per attempt.
Others who could help carry the rushing load include juniors Bryce Garner and Cobe VanHouten, and sophomore Johnny Feldman.
Seniors Trevor York and Zach Riley have experience at receiver, while seniors Jack Tucker and Andrew Owens are expected to play tight end.
Seniors Dalton Smoker and Keegan Bays, and junior Matt Shoemaker have experience on the offensive line, while the names of seniors Jacob Rios, Dillon Estep, Grant Wolfe and Craig Miner could also be penciled into the lineup in the trenches.
“You’re not going to be able to put 11 in the box, we’ll still throw the ball down the field, we’re just going to be a little more selective about it,” said Jensen.
Seniors Lane McClone John Svinarich and Riley highlight the list of returners on defense.
McClone, an inside linebacker, was third on the team in tackles last year with 50, while Riley made 27.5 tackles from his secondary position, and Svinarich 15.5 while playing on the line.
“Up front, we’re in good shape,” Jensen said of his defense. “We’ve got good experience on the line. John Svinarich is back, Jack Tucker is back, Braxton DeFord played a lot last year as a sophomore. Those will be our three starters on our defensive line right now.
“It’s in the next level where we lost a lot, we lost a lot in our linebacking corps. Lane McClone is back ... he didn’t play in the scrimmage because of a little injury, but hopefully he’ll be alright for Columbia City. After that it’s all new guys at linebacker. We’re looking at Braden Weaver, John Culbertson, Andrew Owens, Logan Johnson. Those guys are all getting a lot of reps. Like the offensive line, we’re playing a lot of guys and trying to figure it out.
“In the secondary, we’ve got Zach Riley back, who was a starter. Kendal Miller is back. Their experience is nice to have, and then we have to figure out is (Trenton) Sands gonna play back at safety? Is Kendal gonna play corner? Can Eli (Owen) play back there? Blake Marsh, a sophomore, has looked good. We’re just trying to figure out where the pieces fit best.”
Following Friday’s opener against Columbia City, the Tigers travel to East Noble on Aug. 25.
Warsaw will open Northern Lakes Conference play by hosting Plymouth in Week 3.
Jensen enters the season with 127 career wins. He needs two victories to reach the century mark at Warsaw, and five to tie George Fisher for the program’s high-water mark.
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