Area High School Football Previews For Week 5
September 17, 2020 at 2:03 a.m.
By Anthony Anderson & Steve Krah-
at Northridge (3-0, 2-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Interra Field, Middlebury.
Series (last 35 years): Warsaw, 24-9.
John Harrell’s prediction: Northridge, 35-21.
Last meeting: Sept. 20, 2019, Warsaw 28-13.
Last time Northridge won: Sept. 15, 2017, 24-6.
About Warsaw: Coach Bart Curtis’ Tigers defeated visiting Mishawaka 40-32 Sept. 11 … Warsaw scored in all six of its offensive possessions (not counting the end of the first half) … Aaron Greene (82 carries for 462 yards and seven touchdowns), Julius Jones (27 attempts for 332 yards and two TD’s), Juan Jaramillo (56 runs for 265 yards and four TD’s) and Colton Wampler (56 totes for 204 yards and three TD’s) are top rushers. Greene (5-of-12 for 104 yards and one TD) is the leading passer. Patrick Zollinger (one catch for 34 yards and one TD) and Mason Martz (one receptions for 26 yards) are tops in receiving … Pacing the team in total tackles are Martz (23.5), Zackary Diecks (17), Theo Katris (16) and George Flores-Ortega (14) … Warsaw averages 32.8 points per game on offense and gives up 30.5 per contest on defense.
About Northridge: Coach Tom Wogomon’s Raiders blanked visiting Plymouth 44-0 in the first varsity game on the turf at Interra Field Sept. 11 … Plymouth was held to minus-44 yards rushing in that game as Northridge collected two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and blocked a kick that resulted in a safety … On offense, Logan Hooley (1-of-2 for 32 yards) was the top passer with Dominic Crowder as the leading rusher and receiver (eight carries for 87 yards and one TD and one catch for 32 yards) … The Class 4A Raiders are ranked No. 11 by Associated Press and No. 12 by the Indiana Football Coaches Association … Northridge averages 35.3 points per game on offense and gives up 0.0 per contest on defense. The Raiders are the last team left in Indiana that has not been scored upon.
Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Northridge — “They are big, fast, physical team on defense. They execute on offense. We’ll have our hands full … If we can execute and not turn the ball over and somehow neutralize them on defense, we could be in the thing … It’s a championship game and we need to have a championship effort. When you start conference play, every game is a championship game … Hooley is a weapon to be reckoned with and he’s quick.”
Injuries — “We’re down a few guys. But I think everybody is. We’ve had a couple of O-linemen out and we hope to get one or more of them back before the end of the season.”
On Mishawaka game — “We’re still recovering from that game physically, especially on the defensive line and with our linebackers … (Strong safety) Mason Martz tackled them for a 1-yard loss right before halftime and that was monumental. It was probably the play of the game. You never know when those are going to happen. Mason took a huge step forward Friday night for our defense.”
Rochester (0-2 overall, 0-2 TRC) at Tippecanoe Valley (2-2, 2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m, Smith-Bibler Memorial Field.
Series: Valley leads 25-19.
Last meeting: Valley won 34-14, Sept. 20, 2019.
Last Rochester win: 28-14, Sept. 29, 2017.
John Harrell’s prediction: Valley, 38-7.
About Rochester: The Zebras got a late start on their season due to COVID-related restrictions. They’re coming off losses of 28-7 to Whitko and 41-14 at Manchester. … Running backs Colton Ferverda and Alex Deming — both freshmen — have combined for 267 yards on 45 carries (5.9 average) and two touchdowns. … Rochester is trying to avoid its first 0-3 start since going 0-10 in 2016. The Zebras went 19-13 from 2017-19.
About Valley: The Vikings shredded host North Miami 60-0 last week for their most lopsided win since blanking Wabash 63-0 in September of 2011. … Alex Craft tallied three types of touchdowns, notching one rushing, one receiving and one on a 69-yard interception return. Branson McBrier completed 6-of-6 passes for 245 yards and four TDs — all coming in the first half, as Valley built a 46-0 lead. … The Vikings will be trying to take home the coveted, six-foot Bell Trophy for a third straight time in their rivalry with the Zebras. That would match 2011-13 for Valley’s longest such streak over the last 24 years. … Viking running back Braden Shepherd will be out a fourth straight week due to a shoulder injury.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “We played very well defensively, shut them down right off the bat. Offensively, our ground game was pretty effective. We didn’t have to throw a lot. No turnovers was the big thing.”
On Rochester — “They have a very experienced offensive line. The backfield’s young, but they’re very well coached and are good at adapting. They give you some fits with their alignments, and are very good at traps and counters, so we’ll have to be on our toes.”
On the rivalry — “It doesn’t matter what the records are when it comes to this game. It’s zero and zero. We’re trying to treat it like any other week, but it’s a hard week sometimes to keep your focus on what needs to get done and not get wrapped up in the Bell.”
NorthWood (1-1 overall, 1-0 NLC)
at Wawasee (2-2, 0-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Warrior Field, Syracuse.
Series (last 35 years): NorthWood, 29-10.
John Harrell’s prediction: NorthWood, 17-10.
Last meeting: Sept. 20, 2019, NorthWood 40-10.
Last time Wawasee won: Sept. 19, 2014, 27-21.
About NorthWood: Coach Nate Andrews’ Panthers were idle Sept. 11 since Goshen was unable to play because or COVID-19 quarantine. NorthWood beat visiting Concord 14-6 Sept. 4 … The Panthers have a six-game win streak against Wawasee. Quarterback Kaden Lone (20 carries for 38 yards) was the top rusher against Concord … The Class 4A No. 12 AP/No. 13 IFCA Panthers had three defensive takeaways — two fumble recoveries and one interception — in that game … NorthWood averages 14.5 points per game on offense and gives up 10.5 per contest on defense.
About Wawasee: Coach Jon Reutebuch’s Warrors lost 28-7 at Concord in a game that started Friday and finished Saturday morning because of a power outage … Parker Young (11 carries for 27 yards and 12-of-30 for 156 yards and one TD) was the top rusher and passer while Zach Smith (four catches for 73 yards and one TD) paced the team in receiving … On the season, Young has 41 carries for 119 yards and three TD’s and is 36-of-82 for 563 yards and eight TD’s. Kameron Salazar has nine catches for 195 yards and two TD’s and Jacob Meek 10 receptions for 128 yards and three TD’s … Total tackle leaders are Robert Schmucker (28), Dominic Blair (25), Mark Wiggs (21) and Salazar (19). Blair has 7.5 tackles for loss … Wawasee averages 20.0 points per game on offense and gives up 12.0 per contest on defense.
Wawasee coach Reutebuch:
On NorthWood — “They’re very quick on both sides of the ball. They do a lot of different things, which makes you have to cover a lot of different things. We’re going to have to play well to win.”
O-line — “We’re much improved on the offensive line, but we’re still not there yet. We’re moving personnel around and trying to find the right combo.”
On Concord game — “We still continue to struggle with our offense. We got a touchdown pass, which was encouraging. We’re a work-in-progress with our offense … We were moving (when the lights went out and forced the game to be continued the next day) and lost that momentum … Concord’s defense is pretty solid.”
Culver Community (1-3, 0-2 HNAC)
at Triton (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Triton High School, Bourbon.
Series (last 35 years): Culver, 24-16.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 31-24.
Last meeting: Sept. 20, 2019, Culver 44-14.
Last time Triton won: Oct. 19, 2018, 34-12 (sectional).
About Culver Community: Coach Mike Zehner’s Cavaliers won 20-6 against visiting West Central Sept. 11 … Culver’s TD’s came on a pass from Tucker Fisher to Marquez Anderson and runs by Blake Thompson and Shane Shuman … The Cavaliers average 23.0 points per game on offense and gives up 38.8 per on defense.
About Triton: Coach Rodney Younis’ Trojans lost 41-0 at Bremen Sept. 11 … Hunter McIntyre (48 attempts for 265 yards), Trace Schuh (31 carries for 168 and three TD’s) and Anthony Schuh (18 runs for 113 yards and one TD) have been Triton’s top rushers. Cole Shively (4-of-17 for 37 yards and one TD) leads in passing and Lucas Cabrera (two catches for 30 yards and one TD) in receiving … Jeremiah Farrell (27), Nate Amsden (17), Caleb Lemler (16) and Cabrera (16) pace the Trojans in total tackles. Amsden has five tackles for loss … Triton averages 12.3 points per game on offense and gives up 24.3 per contest on defense.
Triton coach Younis:
On Culver Community — “Culver is a unique team with their offense (straight T-formation with double tight ends and three backs in the backfield). They have good size and pack it in. They do really good mis-direction stuff. We’ll have to work on reading our keys and playing assignment football.”
Blocking — “We’ve focused each week on the mistakes we’ve made and worked to fix those. Our blocking needs to improve. We’re going to the right spots, we just need to improve those. That’s going to be an area of focus this week.”
On Bremen game — “They were the much better team. They won it in the trenches. They controlled the line of scrimmage. It made it a struggle for us. We’re going to learn from it and move forward.”
Manchester (2-2 overall, 2-1 TRC)
at Northfield (1-3, 1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m, Dawes Field.
Series: Manchester leads 38-19.
Last meeting: Northfield won 49-48 (OT), Sept. 20, 2019.
Last Manchester win: 23-20, Oct. 18, 2013.
John Harrell’s prediction: Northfield, 28-21.
About Manchester: The Squires, coming off a 41-14 win over Rochester, hit the road for the first time this season. … Eye-popping junior running back Braxton Ream flirted with a single-game school rushing mark before landing at 306 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns against the Zebras. He’s gained exactly 600 yards over the last two weeks, pushing his season total to 888 on 125 carries (7.1 average) with 10 TDs. Ream’s been charged with just one fumble. … Sophomore QB Brock Casper is 39-of-71 throwing for 614 yards with seven TDs against three picks. Junior safety Dylan Stroud has 37 tackles and two fumble recoveries. … A year ago, Manchester lost a wild 49-48 game to the Norsemen. It was the Squires’ first OT contest in 11 years.
About Northfield: The Norsemen have faced the toughest schedule in the Three Rivers Conference so far, per the Sagarin Ratings. Their losses have been 25-13, 18-10 and 25-8, respectively, to Bluffton, Tippecanoe Valley and Class 1A No. 3 Southwood, clubs that are a combined 9-3. In that latest loss, Northfield trailed just 13-8 before the Knights scored twice over the final four minutes. … Jarret Shafer has rushed 58 times for 284 yards (4.9 average) and two TDs. Junior quarterback Jake Halderman is 20-of-40 throwing for 267 yards, two TDs and one pick since taking over in Week 2. Junior linebacker Jacob Snyder has been in on 43 total tackles, including four for loss.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “We played well. We put an emphasis on starting fast. We felt like we started slow the week before. We got a 65-yard touchdown from Braxton on the first play of the game, so that’s fast. I think starting fast made a difference in our confidence and rhythm the rest of the evening.”
On Ream’s attributes — “He’s kind of a combination of all three (referring to speed, strength and vision). He’s probably not the fastest, probably not the strongest, probably does not have the best vision, but he’s pretty close in all three categories. You put that together, and you’ve got a pretty special back who’s getting better.”
On Northfield — “It’s an awesome opportunity. I’ve got a ton of respect for Coach (Brandon) Baker. You know what you’re gonna get as far as a physical football game. They can make it hurt if you’re not ready. They run the ball really well, a little bit of a triple option. They have a lot of faith in what they do. Assignment football is going to be key for us.”
Whitko (2-2 overall, 1-2 TRC)
at North Miami (1-3, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Series: Whikto leads 29-15.
Last meeting: North Miami won 53-22, Sept. 20, 2019.
Last Whitko win: 28-0, Oct. 3, 2014.
John Harrell’s prediction: Whitko, 35-28.
About Whitko: The Wildcats were nipped 31-28 last week by visiting Maconaquah. … Cade Berg recovered a Mac fumble in the end zone for a Whitko touchdown as the Cats took a 28-24 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Braves answered with a game-winning TD drive, the third lead change of the night. … Berg is pacing Whitko in both rushing yards (247 on 42 carries, three TDs) and receiving yards (260 on 11 catches, two TDs). He’s also made 29 tackles to share the team lead with fellow junior Tyler Veach, who has three sacks.
About North Miami: The Warriors have lost their last two games by a combined 115-0 score, 55-0 at Southwood and 60-0 to visiting Tippecanoe Valley, those coming after a 40-30 win over Taylor. … Sophomore QB Austin Smith was 22-of-71 for 217 yards through three weeks with one touchdown and five interceptions. Running back Darian Hanley stood at 210 yards on 24 carries and 65 yards on seven catches.
Whitko coach Phil Jensen:
On last week — “Our kids showed a lot of tenacity. We kept battling, but unfortunately, gave up a long kickoff return (to set up the game-deciding TD by Maconaquah) and had a couple late picks, the second one in the end zone with a minute to go. It looked like we had them stopped (on the game-winning drive), a fourth-and-4 from the 9. We stuffed their fullback (Carter Little), but he makes a great football play, turns and pitches it back to the quarterback (Nolan Kelly) — one of those plays where everybody stopped and stood straight up — and the quarterback gets the first down (to the 4, with Little scoring on the next play). The good thing is, the heart’s there. We just gotta keep learning the game.”
On North Miami — “I’m not sure how to judge what happened last week. Obviously, Valley’s very good. I know (North Miami) put a whipping on us last year, so we’re in no position to worry about anybody but us.”
On injuries — “(Starting linebacker/tight end Cameron) Sapp, it looks like he’ll play (after missing three games due to a concussion). That’s a real positive. (Blayne) Stump, our safety, is still limping (as of Tuesday afternoon). (Grayson) Ulshafer, our middle linebacker, we’re waiting on an MRI. Those two will not play again this week.”
at Northridge (3-0, 2-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Interra Field, Middlebury.
Series (last 35 years): Warsaw, 24-9.
John Harrell’s prediction: Northridge, 35-21.
Last meeting: Sept. 20, 2019, Warsaw 28-13.
Last time Northridge won: Sept. 15, 2017, 24-6.
About Warsaw: Coach Bart Curtis’ Tigers defeated visiting Mishawaka 40-32 Sept. 11 … Warsaw scored in all six of its offensive possessions (not counting the end of the first half) … Aaron Greene (82 carries for 462 yards and seven touchdowns), Julius Jones (27 attempts for 332 yards and two TD’s), Juan Jaramillo (56 runs for 265 yards and four TD’s) and Colton Wampler (56 totes for 204 yards and three TD’s) are top rushers. Greene (5-of-12 for 104 yards and one TD) is the leading passer. Patrick Zollinger (one catch for 34 yards and one TD) and Mason Martz (one receptions for 26 yards) are tops in receiving … Pacing the team in total tackles are Martz (23.5), Zackary Diecks (17), Theo Katris (16) and George Flores-Ortega (14) … Warsaw averages 32.8 points per game on offense and gives up 30.5 per contest on defense.
About Northridge: Coach Tom Wogomon’s Raiders blanked visiting Plymouth 44-0 in the first varsity game on the turf at Interra Field Sept. 11 … Plymouth was held to minus-44 yards rushing in that game as Northridge collected two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and blocked a kick that resulted in a safety … On offense, Logan Hooley (1-of-2 for 32 yards) was the top passer with Dominic Crowder as the leading rusher and receiver (eight carries for 87 yards and one TD and one catch for 32 yards) … The Class 4A Raiders are ranked No. 11 by Associated Press and No. 12 by the Indiana Football Coaches Association … Northridge averages 35.3 points per game on offense and gives up 0.0 per contest on defense. The Raiders are the last team left in Indiana that has not been scored upon.
Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Northridge — “They are big, fast, physical team on defense. They execute on offense. We’ll have our hands full … If we can execute and not turn the ball over and somehow neutralize them on defense, we could be in the thing … It’s a championship game and we need to have a championship effort. When you start conference play, every game is a championship game … Hooley is a weapon to be reckoned with and he’s quick.”
Injuries — “We’re down a few guys. But I think everybody is. We’ve had a couple of O-linemen out and we hope to get one or more of them back before the end of the season.”
On Mishawaka game — “We’re still recovering from that game physically, especially on the defensive line and with our linebackers … (Strong safety) Mason Martz tackled them for a 1-yard loss right before halftime and that was monumental. It was probably the play of the game. You never know when those are going to happen. Mason took a huge step forward Friday night for our defense.”
Rochester (0-2 overall, 0-2 TRC) at Tippecanoe Valley (2-2, 2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m, Smith-Bibler Memorial Field.
Series: Valley leads 25-19.
Last meeting: Valley won 34-14, Sept. 20, 2019.
Last Rochester win: 28-14, Sept. 29, 2017.
John Harrell’s prediction: Valley, 38-7.
About Rochester: The Zebras got a late start on their season due to COVID-related restrictions. They’re coming off losses of 28-7 to Whitko and 41-14 at Manchester. … Running backs Colton Ferverda and Alex Deming — both freshmen — have combined for 267 yards on 45 carries (5.9 average) and two touchdowns. … Rochester is trying to avoid its first 0-3 start since going 0-10 in 2016. The Zebras went 19-13 from 2017-19.
About Valley: The Vikings shredded host North Miami 60-0 last week for their most lopsided win since blanking Wabash 63-0 in September of 2011. … Alex Craft tallied three types of touchdowns, notching one rushing, one receiving and one on a 69-yard interception return. Branson McBrier completed 6-of-6 passes for 245 yards and four TDs — all coming in the first half, as Valley built a 46-0 lead. … The Vikings will be trying to take home the coveted, six-foot Bell Trophy for a third straight time in their rivalry with the Zebras. That would match 2011-13 for Valley’s longest such streak over the last 24 years. … Viking running back Braden Shepherd will be out a fourth straight week due to a shoulder injury.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “We played very well defensively, shut them down right off the bat. Offensively, our ground game was pretty effective. We didn’t have to throw a lot. No turnovers was the big thing.”
On Rochester — “They have a very experienced offensive line. The backfield’s young, but they’re very well coached and are good at adapting. They give you some fits with their alignments, and are very good at traps and counters, so we’ll have to be on our toes.”
On the rivalry — “It doesn’t matter what the records are when it comes to this game. It’s zero and zero. We’re trying to treat it like any other week, but it’s a hard week sometimes to keep your focus on what needs to get done and not get wrapped up in the Bell.”
NorthWood (1-1 overall, 1-0 NLC)
at Wawasee (2-2, 0-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Warrior Field, Syracuse.
Series (last 35 years): NorthWood, 29-10.
John Harrell’s prediction: NorthWood, 17-10.
Last meeting: Sept. 20, 2019, NorthWood 40-10.
Last time Wawasee won: Sept. 19, 2014, 27-21.
About NorthWood: Coach Nate Andrews’ Panthers were idle Sept. 11 since Goshen was unable to play because or COVID-19 quarantine. NorthWood beat visiting Concord 14-6 Sept. 4 … The Panthers have a six-game win streak against Wawasee. Quarterback Kaden Lone (20 carries for 38 yards) was the top rusher against Concord … The Class 4A No. 12 AP/No. 13 IFCA Panthers had three defensive takeaways — two fumble recoveries and one interception — in that game … NorthWood averages 14.5 points per game on offense and gives up 10.5 per contest on defense.
About Wawasee: Coach Jon Reutebuch’s Warrors lost 28-7 at Concord in a game that started Friday and finished Saturday morning because of a power outage … Parker Young (11 carries for 27 yards and 12-of-30 for 156 yards and one TD) was the top rusher and passer while Zach Smith (four catches for 73 yards and one TD) paced the team in receiving … On the season, Young has 41 carries for 119 yards and three TD’s and is 36-of-82 for 563 yards and eight TD’s. Kameron Salazar has nine catches for 195 yards and two TD’s and Jacob Meek 10 receptions for 128 yards and three TD’s … Total tackle leaders are Robert Schmucker (28), Dominic Blair (25), Mark Wiggs (21) and Salazar (19). Blair has 7.5 tackles for loss … Wawasee averages 20.0 points per game on offense and gives up 12.0 per contest on defense.
Wawasee coach Reutebuch:
On NorthWood — “They’re very quick on both sides of the ball. They do a lot of different things, which makes you have to cover a lot of different things. We’re going to have to play well to win.”
O-line — “We’re much improved on the offensive line, but we’re still not there yet. We’re moving personnel around and trying to find the right combo.”
On Concord game — “We still continue to struggle with our offense. We got a touchdown pass, which was encouraging. We’re a work-in-progress with our offense … We were moving (when the lights went out and forced the game to be continued the next day) and lost that momentum … Concord’s defense is pretty solid.”
Culver Community (1-3, 0-2 HNAC)
at Triton (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Triton High School, Bourbon.
Series (last 35 years): Culver, 24-16.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 31-24.
Last meeting: Sept. 20, 2019, Culver 44-14.
Last time Triton won: Oct. 19, 2018, 34-12 (sectional).
About Culver Community: Coach Mike Zehner’s Cavaliers won 20-6 against visiting West Central Sept. 11 … Culver’s TD’s came on a pass from Tucker Fisher to Marquez Anderson and runs by Blake Thompson and Shane Shuman … The Cavaliers average 23.0 points per game on offense and gives up 38.8 per on defense.
About Triton: Coach Rodney Younis’ Trojans lost 41-0 at Bremen Sept. 11 … Hunter McIntyre (48 attempts for 265 yards), Trace Schuh (31 carries for 168 and three TD’s) and Anthony Schuh (18 runs for 113 yards and one TD) have been Triton’s top rushers. Cole Shively (4-of-17 for 37 yards and one TD) leads in passing and Lucas Cabrera (two catches for 30 yards and one TD) in receiving … Jeremiah Farrell (27), Nate Amsden (17), Caleb Lemler (16) and Cabrera (16) pace the Trojans in total tackles. Amsden has five tackles for loss … Triton averages 12.3 points per game on offense and gives up 24.3 per contest on defense.
Triton coach Younis:
On Culver Community — “Culver is a unique team with their offense (straight T-formation with double tight ends and three backs in the backfield). They have good size and pack it in. They do really good mis-direction stuff. We’ll have to work on reading our keys and playing assignment football.”
Blocking — “We’ve focused each week on the mistakes we’ve made and worked to fix those. Our blocking needs to improve. We’re going to the right spots, we just need to improve those. That’s going to be an area of focus this week.”
On Bremen game — “They were the much better team. They won it in the trenches. They controlled the line of scrimmage. It made it a struggle for us. We’re going to learn from it and move forward.”
Manchester (2-2 overall, 2-1 TRC)
at Northfield (1-3, 1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m, Dawes Field.
Series: Manchester leads 38-19.
Last meeting: Northfield won 49-48 (OT), Sept. 20, 2019.
Last Manchester win: 23-20, Oct. 18, 2013.
John Harrell’s prediction: Northfield, 28-21.
About Manchester: The Squires, coming off a 41-14 win over Rochester, hit the road for the first time this season. … Eye-popping junior running back Braxton Ream flirted with a single-game school rushing mark before landing at 306 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns against the Zebras. He’s gained exactly 600 yards over the last two weeks, pushing his season total to 888 on 125 carries (7.1 average) with 10 TDs. Ream’s been charged with just one fumble. … Sophomore QB Brock Casper is 39-of-71 throwing for 614 yards with seven TDs against three picks. Junior safety Dylan Stroud has 37 tackles and two fumble recoveries. … A year ago, Manchester lost a wild 49-48 game to the Norsemen. It was the Squires’ first OT contest in 11 years.
About Northfield: The Norsemen have faced the toughest schedule in the Three Rivers Conference so far, per the Sagarin Ratings. Their losses have been 25-13, 18-10 and 25-8, respectively, to Bluffton, Tippecanoe Valley and Class 1A No. 3 Southwood, clubs that are a combined 9-3. In that latest loss, Northfield trailed just 13-8 before the Knights scored twice over the final four minutes. … Jarret Shafer has rushed 58 times for 284 yards (4.9 average) and two TDs. Junior quarterback Jake Halderman is 20-of-40 throwing for 267 yards, two TDs and one pick since taking over in Week 2. Junior linebacker Jacob Snyder has been in on 43 total tackles, including four for loss.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “We played well. We put an emphasis on starting fast. We felt like we started slow the week before. We got a 65-yard touchdown from Braxton on the first play of the game, so that’s fast. I think starting fast made a difference in our confidence and rhythm the rest of the evening.”
On Ream’s attributes — “He’s kind of a combination of all three (referring to speed, strength and vision). He’s probably not the fastest, probably not the strongest, probably does not have the best vision, but he’s pretty close in all three categories. You put that together, and you’ve got a pretty special back who’s getting better.”
On Northfield — “It’s an awesome opportunity. I’ve got a ton of respect for Coach (Brandon) Baker. You know what you’re gonna get as far as a physical football game. They can make it hurt if you’re not ready. They run the ball really well, a little bit of a triple option. They have a lot of faith in what they do. Assignment football is going to be key for us.”
Whitko (2-2 overall, 1-2 TRC)
at North Miami (1-3, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Series: Whikto leads 29-15.
Last meeting: North Miami won 53-22, Sept. 20, 2019.
Last Whitko win: 28-0, Oct. 3, 2014.
John Harrell’s prediction: Whitko, 35-28.
About Whitko: The Wildcats were nipped 31-28 last week by visiting Maconaquah. … Cade Berg recovered a Mac fumble in the end zone for a Whitko touchdown as the Cats took a 28-24 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Braves answered with a game-winning TD drive, the third lead change of the night. … Berg is pacing Whitko in both rushing yards (247 on 42 carries, three TDs) and receiving yards (260 on 11 catches, two TDs). He’s also made 29 tackles to share the team lead with fellow junior Tyler Veach, who has three sacks.
About North Miami: The Warriors have lost their last two games by a combined 115-0 score, 55-0 at Southwood and 60-0 to visiting Tippecanoe Valley, those coming after a 40-30 win over Taylor. … Sophomore QB Austin Smith was 22-of-71 for 217 yards through three weeks with one touchdown and five interceptions. Running back Darian Hanley stood at 210 yards on 24 carries and 65 yards on seven catches.
Whitko coach Phil Jensen:
On last week — “Our kids showed a lot of tenacity. We kept battling, but unfortunately, gave up a long kickoff return (to set up the game-deciding TD by Maconaquah) and had a couple late picks, the second one in the end zone with a minute to go. It looked like we had them stopped (on the game-winning drive), a fourth-and-4 from the 9. We stuffed their fullback (Carter Little), but he makes a great football play, turns and pitches it back to the quarterback (Nolan Kelly) — one of those plays where everybody stopped and stood straight up — and the quarterback gets the first down (to the 4, with Little scoring on the next play). The good thing is, the heart’s there. We just gotta keep learning the game.”
On North Miami — “I’m not sure how to judge what happened last week. Obviously, Valley’s very good. I know (North Miami) put a whipping on us last year, so we’re in no position to worry about anybody but us.”
On injuries — “(Starting linebacker/tight end Cameron) Sapp, it looks like he’ll play (after missing three games due to a concussion). That’s a real positive. (Blayne) Stump, our safety, is still limping (as of Tuesday afternoon). (Grayson) Ulshafer, our middle linebacker, we’re waiting on an MRI. Those two will not play again this week.”
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