Local High School Football Previews For Week 5
September 16, 2021 at 11:04 p.m.
Northridge (4-0, 2-0 Northern Lakes Conference) at Warsaw (3-1, 2-0 NLC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Fisher Field, Warsaw.
Series (last 35 years): Warsaw, 25-9.
John Harrell’s prediction: Warsaw, 24-23.
Last meeting: Sept. 18, 2020, Warsaw 27-14.
About Northridge: Coach Chad Eppley’s Raiders beat Plymouth 35-0 on the road in Week 4 … Northridge amassed 275 total yards, including 144 on the ground … It was the Raiders’ third shutout of the season (Northridge blanked South Bend Adams 21-0 in Week 1 and Wawasee 42-0 in Week 3) … Micah Hochstetler triggers the Associated Press Class 4A No. 7/Indiana Football Coaches Association 4A No. 8-ranked Northidge at quarterback and is a top running threat along with Tagg Gott and Kain Holderread. Jethro Hochstetler and Clint Walker are among the top receivers … The first of two regular-season losses in 2020 came against Warsaw. Since 1994, only the 2017 and 2021 teams have gotten off to 4-0 starts … The Raiders are 1-6 in their last seven meetings with the Tigers.
About Warsaw: Coach Bart Curtis’ Tigers beat Mishawaka 17-15 on the road in Week 4 … A 19-yard field goal from Mason Smythe with 2:15 to play following a 52-yard un by Julius Jones made the difference … Warsaw’s touchdowns came on a 12-yard fumble return by Jonney Burritt and 1-yard run by German Flores-Ortega … Mishawaka was held to 154 yards of total offense … The Tigers are ranked No. 12 this week in Class 6A by AP.
Per Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Northridge — Their varsity defense has given up seven points in four games … Schematically, they’e sound. They don’t make a lot of mistakes. They get off blocks well. They pursue to the football and they tackle well … They are the epitome of balance (on offense). They can hurt you both ways (with the run and the pass). They have a fine running game and a playmaker or two on offense. They are good at extending plays and making something from nothing.
NLC race and more — Every week’s a championship game. It’s homecoming and it’s themed around Friday night’s game.
On Mishawaka game — Both defenses played extremely hard and extremely angry. You’d rather have them play that way than slow and friendly … It’s not a normal football game. Some of the collisions that were taking place from tackle to tackle were very barbaric.
Tippecanoe Valley (4-0 overall, 3-0 TRC) at North Judson (4-0, 3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Liberty Field.
Series: N/A.
Last meeting: N/A.
Last Rochester win: N/A.
John Harrell’s prediction: N/A.
About Valley: The Vikings are the last unbeaten left in TRC play at 3-0 after their 36-0 win last week over Manchester combined with Northfield’s 20-13 victory over Southwood, but the league race is far from settled. Four teams are 2-1 and two more 1-1. … Valley’s four consecutive wins by 30 or more points mark the first time the program has compiled such a streak since the 1994 club took four by 30-plus as part of seven straight wins overall. … The Vikings are eighth in the state in both average victory margin (34.5) and fewest points allowed (7.25). … Sophomore safety Wade Jones intercepted a pass for the fourth straight game last week, and returned the latest one 56 yards for a score. … The Valley defense has racked up 40 tackles for loss, including seven by Kyle Parker and six by Dalton Alber. … Quarterback Branson McBrier is 24-of-32 throwing for 450 yards with four TDs against no picks. … Jamasyn Virgil, Nathan Parker and Braden Shepherd have combined for 611 ground yards with 11 touchdowns (seven by Virgil) and a 6.9 average. … Receiver Rex Kirchenstien is at 11 catches for 248 yards and three TDs.
About Rochester: The Zebras — coming off an 0-8 season — have won three straight under first-year head coach Ron Shaffer, including last week’s 44-19 victory over Wabash. … Rochester sophomore sensation Alex Deming leads the state with 1,023 rushing yards to go with 13 rushing touchdowns (tied for the state lead) and a 9.2 average per carry. His season low was 227 yards in the opener and he had a career-high 284 against Wabash. … The Zebras have attempted just eight passes this season, with junior QB Aaron Swango completing six of them for 60 yards and a score.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “It was a great win for the program, but I still think there are a lot of things we can improve on. I’m very happy with the effort, but I would say there are things to clean up. We gotta make sure all our blocks are complete and we need to get more sound on defense.”
On Wade Jones — “He does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and playing deep. He’s a great center fielder for our defense. He’s just been a really big asset to the team.”
Northfield (2-2, 2-1 TRC) at Manchester (1-2, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Burk Field.
Series: Manchester leads 38-20.
Last meeting: Northfield won 55-18, Sept. 18, 2020.
Last Manchester win: 23-20, Oct. 18, 2013.
John Harrell’s prediction: Northfield, 24-21.
About Northfield: The Norsemen sent three-time defending Three Rivers Conference champion Southwood to its first league loss since 2017 with a 20-13 road win last week. … Senior Jaydan Goshert ran for 189 yards on 34 carries, including the touchdown early in the fourth quarter that broke a 13-13 tie. Senior QB Jake Halderman netted 94 yards on 23 keepers. Goshert’s at 384 rushing yards for the season with a 5.7 average, while Halderman’s at 189 with five TDs.
About Manchester: The Squires were blanked 36-0 at Tippecanoe Valley (4-0) last week. Both of their losses have come against clubs that remain unbeaten. … Junior quarterback Brock Casper is 34-of-72 throwing for 513 yards with seven touchdowns against three interceptions. Braxton Ream has rushed for 315 yards on 45 carries for a 7.0 average with two TDs, while fellow senior Seth Gaerte has hauled in 14 passes for 250 yards and three scores. Gaerte notched eight catches for 87 yards against the Vikings. … Manchester has fallen to Northfield seven straight times, by a wild array of scores that include 65-6 in 2015 and 49-48 in overtime two years ago. … Friday’s contest will be homecoming.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “It was frustrating, because I felt like our kids played very, very hard, but we made costly mistakes. They only outgained us by about 90 yards, but we turned the ball over (four) times and had some costly penalties.”
On Northfield — “I imagine we’re going to see a team that has great confidence, and they should. That’s earned confidence when you beat a program like Southwood. It’s a fast, physical football team that does what it does, and does it well. They’re not going to fool you or trick you, but if you’re not ready for a physical, disciplined team, you’re in for a hard night.”
On the gauntlet stretch — (facing Winamac, Valley, Northfield and next week Southwood in consecutive games) “I think my coaching staff has done a fantastic job there, but mostly our seniors have done a great job of framing this to their teammates as ‘this is what prepares you for tournament football.’ We’re trying to make this an opportunity. A lot of credit goes to the seniors for framing the conversation that way. It’s a huge testament to them.”
Triton (2-2, 1-1 Hoosier North Athletic Conference) at Culver (1-1, 0-1 HNAC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Cavalier Field, Culver.
Series (last 35 years): Culver, 24-15.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 21-17.
Last meeting: Sept, 18, 2020, Triton 48-8.
About Triton: Coach Rodney’s Younis’ Trojans lost 35-7 to visiting Bremen in Week 4 … The Lions led 28-7 at halftime … On the season, Triton is led by Cole Shively (16-of-47 for 124 yards and one touchdown) in passing, Anthony Schuh (81 carries for 586 yards and six TDs), Shively (29 carries for 106 yards) and Trace Schuh (22 carries for 103 yards and one TD) in rushing and Amari Snyder (nine catches for 71 yards) in receiving … The top total tackle leaders are Bradyen Cunningham (37), Landon Lemler (32) and Reilley Wood (31) … Evan Briles had two sacks and Tyler Amsden two fumble recoveries.
Per Triton coach Rodney Younis:
On Culver — They bring a unique offense. they do a double-tight T formation. It all comes down to their power play. They want to drain that clock. Our offense needs to score when we get the opportunity. It will be important for our defense to read our keys and get them in that third-and-long and get them out of what they want to do.
Really Big Schuh — Anthony Schuh has been having a really great season for us. Our offensive line (center Josh Lemler, guards Trenton Conley and Landon Lemler, tackles Cameron Shively and Ethan Howell and tight end Dominic Smith) has been doing a really good job of blocking for him.
On Bremen game — We played hard. We did some good things. It came down to our turnovers (five fumbles and two interceptions) … Bremen brought a lot of physical play which caused some of those turnovers … We gave Bremen a short field all night.
About Culver: Coach Mike Zehner’s Cavaliers beat West Central 38-14 on the road in Week 4 … Offensively for Culver, Tucker Fisher passed for 65 yards and two touchdowns, Blake Thompson ran 17 times for 99 yards and two TDs and Emiliano Ortiz had nine totes for 73 yards and one TD … On defense, Alex Zehner had three tackles and one interception, Fisher three tackles and one fumble recovery and Shane Shuman six tackles … Due to COVID-19 protocols, Culver had games canceled in Week 2 vs. South Central and Week 3 vs. Knox.
Wawasee (0-4, 0-2 Northern Lakes Conference) at NorthWood (2-2, 1-1 NLC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Andrews Field, Nappanee.
Series (last 35 years): NorthWood, 30-10.
John Harrell’s prediction: NorthWood, 31-10.
Last meeting: Oct. 23, 2020, NorthWood 20-7 (sectional).
About Wawasee: Coach Jon Reutebuch’s Warriors lost 44-0 to visiting Concord in Week 4.
Per Wawasee coach Jon Reutebuch:
On NorthWood — It’s an NLC team. They’re well-coached. They’ve got good athletes. We need to come to play if we’re going to compete.
Still shorthanded — I’m still waiting on a game where I have my full roster available (because of COVID-19, sickness and injuries). I can’t wait until we have a full team. We haven’t had a full team since Week 1.
On Concord game — We had a lot of missed plays. It was 50-50 and they made the play in the first half … We’d drive down to the 10-yard line and then we’d fumble (Wawasee lost two fumbles to the Minutemen).
About NorthWood: Coach Nate Andrews’ Panthers beat visiting Goshen 17-7 in Week 4 … The Panthers passed for 243 yards and ran of 93 … Kaden Lone threw two touchdown passes to NiTareon Tuggle – 1 and 64 yards … NorthWood led 7-0 at halftime … Lone (62-of-94 of 644 yards and five TDs) leads the Panthers in passing, Lone (37 carries for 222 yards and one TD), Ethan Evers (36 carries for 213 yards and one TD) and Wes Yoder (13 carries for 114 yards and one TD) in rushing and J.J. Payne (five catches for 127 yards and two TDs), Parker Filley (nine catches for 96 yards) and Tuggle (nine catches for 94 yards and three TDs) in receiving … Leading in total tackles are Evers (36), C.J. Kuhn (25) and Caleb Branam (21).
North Miami (0-4 overall, 0-3 TRC) at Whitko (0-4, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Huff Stadium.
Series: Whitko leads 30-15.
Last meeting: Whitko won 53-24, Sept. 18, 2020.
Last North Miami win: 53-22, Sept. 20, 2019.
John Harrell’s prediction: North Miami, 28-17.
About North Miami: The Warriors were blanked 40-0 last week at Peru (the one opponent they have in common so far with Whitko, which fell 39-7 to the host Tigers). They’re averaging 4.8 points to 34.0 allowed. … North Miami’s led by a pair of two-way junior standouts. Running back/linebacker Bradyn Fennell has rushed for a team-high 232 yards on 56 carries for a 4.1 average and is also the team’s top tackler with 48. Running back/safety Austin Smith is at 146 yards rushing with a team-leading 4.9 average to go with team bests of five catches for 123 yards and five tackles for loss, among 40 overall.
About Whitko: A pair of Wildcat two-way starters, Ethan Gilbert and Cody Adkins, are out this week and possibly next week due to contact tracing. Gilbert had emerged as Whitko’s top running back, gaining 145 yards on 33 carries over the last two games. He and Adkins are both safeties, with Adkins additionally a wideout and the team’s No. 2 quarterback. ... The Wildcats are coming off a 46-0 loss at Maconaquah in which Mac sophomore quarterback Braxton Birner was other-worldly. He completed 38-of-41 passes for 350 yards and six touchdowns, with the completions, yards and TDs all setting school records. Birner was 26-of-27 for 200 yards by halftime as Mac took a 34-0 lead. … Senior Tyler Veach continues to register big numbers for the Whitko defense, piling up 13 solos and 20 tackles overall against Mac to push his team-leading figures to 37 and 55 (sixth in the state).
Whitko coach Chip Coldiron:
On last week — “Our defense made them work for it. I know the score looks awful, but their first drive took 16 plays, then we fumbled on our first play and it took them 12 more plays to score again. Our problem was the turnovers (two on the Wildcats’ first two snaps, three for the game), but our defense had (its fewest yards allowed per play) all season, around 5, and our offense had the most yards we’ve had all season, 134.”
On Birner — “I’ve never seen a quarterback be that accurate. He had four interceptions the week before, but he didn’t miss, and their line gave him good protection.”
On North Miami — “They like to run the football. They’re 0 and 4 and we’re 0 and 4, and probably both teams are saying the same thing: ‘We’re gonna beat that team.’”
Northridge (4-0, 2-0 Northern Lakes Conference) at Warsaw (3-1, 2-0 NLC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Fisher Field, Warsaw.
Series (last 35 years): Warsaw, 25-9.
John Harrell’s prediction: Warsaw, 24-23.
Last meeting: Sept. 18, 2020, Warsaw 27-14.
About Northridge: Coach Chad Eppley’s Raiders beat Plymouth 35-0 on the road in Week 4 … Northridge amassed 275 total yards, including 144 on the ground … It was the Raiders’ third shutout of the season (Northridge blanked South Bend Adams 21-0 in Week 1 and Wawasee 42-0 in Week 3) … Micah Hochstetler triggers the Associated Press Class 4A No. 7/Indiana Football Coaches Association 4A No. 8-ranked Northidge at quarterback and is a top running threat along with Tagg Gott and Kain Holderread. Jethro Hochstetler and Clint Walker are among the top receivers … The first of two regular-season losses in 2020 came against Warsaw. Since 1994, only the 2017 and 2021 teams have gotten off to 4-0 starts … The Raiders are 1-6 in their last seven meetings with the Tigers.
About Warsaw: Coach Bart Curtis’ Tigers beat Mishawaka 17-15 on the road in Week 4 … A 19-yard field goal from Mason Smythe with 2:15 to play following a 52-yard un by Julius Jones made the difference … Warsaw’s touchdowns came on a 12-yard fumble return by Jonney Burritt and 1-yard run by German Flores-Ortega … Mishawaka was held to 154 yards of total offense … The Tigers are ranked No. 12 this week in Class 6A by AP.
Per Warsaw coach Bart Curtis:
On Northridge — Their varsity defense has given up seven points in four games … Schematically, they’e sound. They don’t make a lot of mistakes. They get off blocks well. They pursue to the football and they tackle well … They are the epitome of balance (on offense). They can hurt you both ways (with the run and the pass). They have a fine running game and a playmaker or two on offense. They are good at extending plays and making something from nothing.
NLC race and more — Every week’s a championship game. It’s homecoming and it’s themed around Friday night’s game.
On Mishawaka game — Both defenses played extremely hard and extremely angry. You’d rather have them play that way than slow and friendly … It’s not a normal football game. Some of the collisions that were taking place from tackle to tackle were very barbaric.
Tippecanoe Valley (4-0 overall, 3-0 TRC) at North Judson (4-0, 3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Liberty Field.
Series: N/A.
Last meeting: N/A.
Last Rochester win: N/A.
John Harrell’s prediction: N/A.
About Valley: The Vikings are the last unbeaten left in TRC play at 3-0 after their 36-0 win last week over Manchester combined with Northfield’s 20-13 victory over Southwood, but the league race is far from settled. Four teams are 2-1 and two more 1-1. … Valley’s four consecutive wins by 30 or more points mark the first time the program has compiled such a streak since the 1994 club took four by 30-plus as part of seven straight wins overall. … The Vikings are eighth in the state in both average victory margin (34.5) and fewest points allowed (7.25). … Sophomore safety Wade Jones intercepted a pass for the fourth straight game last week, and returned the latest one 56 yards for a score. … The Valley defense has racked up 40 tackles for loss, including seven by Kyle Parker and six by Dalton Alber. … Quarterback Branson McBrier is 24-of-32 throwing for 450 yards with four TDs against no picks. … Jamasyn Virgil, Nathan Parker and Braden Shepherd have combined for 611 ground yards with 11 touchdowns (seven by Virgil) and a 6.9 average. … Receiver Rex Kirchenstien is at 11 catches for 248 yards and three TDs.
About Rochester: The Zebras — coming off an 0-8 season — have won three straight under first-year head coach Ron Shaffer, including last week’s 44-19 victory over Wabash. … Rochester sophomore sensation Alex Deming leads the state with 1,023 rushing yards to go with 13 rushing touchdowns (tied for the state lead) and a 9.2 average per carry. His season low was 227 yards in the opener and he had a career-high 284 against Wabash. … The Zebras have attempted just eight passes this season, with junior QB Aaron Swango completing six of them for 60 yards and a score.
Valley coach Steve Moriarty:
On last week — “It was a great win for the program, but I still think there are a lot of things we can improve on. I’m very happy with the effort, but I would say there are things to clean up. We gotta make sure all our blocks are complete and we need to get more sound on defense.”
On Wade Jones — “He does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and playing deep. He’s a great center fielder for our defense. He’s just been a really big asset to the team.”
Northfield (2-2, 2-1 TRC) at Manchester (1-2, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Burk Field.
Series: Manchester leads 38-20.
Last meeting: Northfield won 55-18, Sept. 18, 2020.
Last Manchester win: 23-20, Oct. 18, 2013.
John Harrell’s prediction: Northfield, 24-21.
About Northfield: The Norsemen sent three-time defending Three Rivers Conference champion Southwood to its first league loss since 2017 with a 20-13 road win last week. … Senior Jaydan Goshert ran for 189 yards on 34 carries, including the touchdown early in the fourth quarter that broke a 13-13 tie. Senior QB Jake Halderman netted 94 yards on 23 keepers. Goshert’s at 384 rushing yards for the season with a 5.7 average, while Halderman’s at 189 with five TDs.
About Manchester: The Squires were blanked 36-0 at Tippecanoe Valley (4-0) last week. Both of their losses have come against clubs that remain unbeaten. … Junior quarterback Brock Casper is 34-of-72 throwing for 513 yards with seven touchdowns against three interceptions. Braxton Ream has rushed for 315 yards on 45 carries for a 7.0 average with two TDs, while fellow senior Seth Gaerte has hauled in 14 passes for 250 yards and three scores. Gaerte notched eight catches for 87 yards against the Vikings. … Manchester has fallen to Northfield seven straight times, by a wild array of scores that include 65-6 in 2015 and 49-48 in overtime two years ago. … Friday’s contest will be homecoming.
Manchester coach Alyx Brandewie:
On last week — “It was frustrating, because I felt like our kids played very, very hard, but we made costly mistakes. They only outgained us by about 90 yards, but we turned the ball over (four) times and had some costly penalties.”
On Northfield — “I imagine we’re going to see a team that has great confidence, and they should. That’s earned confidence when you beat a program like Southwood. It’s a fast, physical football team that does what it does, and does it well. They’re not going to fool you or trick you, but if you’re not ready for a physical, disciplined team, you’re in for a hard night.”
On the gauntlet stretch — (facing Winamac, Valley, Northfield and next week Southwood in consecutive games) “I think my coaching staff has done a fantastic job there, but mostly our seniors have done a great job of framing this to their teammates as ‘this is what prepares you for tournament football.’ We’re trying to make this an opportunity. A lot of credit goes to the seniors for framing the conversation that way. It’s a huge testament to them.”
Triton (2-2, 1-1 Hoosier North Athletic Conference) at Culver (1-1, 0-1 HNAC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Cavalier Field, Culver.
Series (last 35 years): Culver, 24-15.
John Harrell’s prediction: Triton, 21-17.
Last meeting: Sept, 18, 2020, Triton 48-8.
About Triton: Coach Rodney’s Younis’ Trojans lost 35-7 to visiting Bremen in Week 4 … The Lions led 28-7 at halftime … On the season, Triton is led by Cole Shively (16-of-47 for 124 yards and one touchdown) in passing, Anthony Schuh (81 carries for 586 yards and six TDs), Shively (29 carries for 106 yards) and Trace Schuh (22 carries for 103 yards and one TD) in rushing and Amari Snyder (nine catches for 71 yards) in receiving … The top total tackle leaders are Bradyen Cunningham (37), Landon Lemler (32) and Reilley Wood (31) … Evan Briles had two sacks and Tyler Amsden two fumble recoveries.
Per Triton coach Rodney Younis:
On Culver — They bring a unique offense. they do a double-tight T formation. It all comes down to their power play. They want to drain that clock. Our offense needs to score when we get the opportunity. It will be important for our defense to read our keys and get them in that third-and-long and get them out of what they want to do.
Really Big Schuh — Anthony Schuh has been having a really great season for us. Our offensive line (center Josh Lemler, guards Trenton Conley and Landon Lemler, tackles Cameron Shively and Ethan Howell and tight end Dominic Smith) has been doing a really good job of blocking for him.
On Bremen game — We played hard. We did some good things. It came down to our turnovers (five fumbles and two interceptions) … Bremen brought a lot of physical play which caused some of those turnovers … We gave Bremen a short field all night.
About Culver: Coach Mike Zehner’s Cavaliers beat West Central 38-14 on the road in Week 4 … Offensively for Culver, Tucker Fisher passed for 65 yards and two touchdowns, Blake Thompson ran 17 times for 99 yards and two TDs and Emiliano Ortiz had nine totes for 73 yards and one TD … On defense, Alex Zehner had three tackles and one interception, Fisher three tackles and one fumble recovery and Shane Shuman six tackles … Due to COVID-19 protocols, Culver had games canceled in Week 2 vs. South Central and Week 3 vs. Knox.
Wawasee (0-4, 0-2 Northern Lakes Conference) at NorthWood (2-2, 1-1 NLC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Andrews Field, Nappanee.
Series (last 35 years): NorthWood, 30-10.
John Harrell’s prediction: NorthWood, 31-10.
Last meeting: Oct. 23, 2020, NorthWood 20-7 (sectional).
About Wawasee: Coach Jon Reutebuch’s Warriors lost 44-0 to visiting Concord in Week 4.
Per Wawasee coach Jon Reutebuch:
On NorthWood — It’s an NLC team. They’re well-coached. They’ve got good athletes. We need to come to play if we’re going to compete.
Still shorthanded — I’m still waiting on a game where I have my full roster available (because of COVID-19, sickness and injuries). I can’t wait until we have a full team. We haven’t had a full team since Week 1.
On Concord game — We had a lot of missed plays. It was 50-50 and they made the play in the first half … We’d drive down to the 10-yard line and then we’d fumble (Wawasee lost two fumbles to the Minutemen).
About NorthWood: Coach Nate Andrews’ Panthers beat visiting Goshen 17-7 in Week 4 … The Panthers passed for 243 yards and ran of 93 … Kaden Lone threw two touchdown passes to NiTareon Tuggle – 1 and 64 yards … NorthWood led 7-0 at halftime … Lone (62-of-94 of 644 yards and five TDs) leads the Panthers in passing, Lone (37 carries for 222 yards and one TD), Ethan Evers (36 carries for 213 yards and one TD) and Wes Yoder (13 carries for 114 yards and one TD) in rushing and J.J. Payne (five catches for 127 yards and two TDs), Parker Filley (nine catches for 96 yards) and Tuggle (nine catches for 94 yards and three TDs) in receiving … Leading in total tackles are Evers (36), C.J. Kuhn (25) and Caleb Branam (21).
North Miami (0-4 overall, 0-3 TRC) at Whitko (0-4, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Huff Stadium.
Series: Whitko leads 30-15.
Last meeting: Whitko won 53-24, Sept. 18, 2020.
Last North Miami win: 53-22, Sept. 20, 2019.
John Harrell’s prediction: North Miami, 28-17.
About North Miami: The Warriors were blanked 40-0 last week at Peru (the one opponent they have in common so far with Whitko, which fell 39-7 to the host Tigers). They’re averaging 4.8 points to 34.0 allowed. … North Miami’s led by a pair of two-way junior standouts. Running back/linebacker Bradyn Fennell has rushed for a team-high 232 yards on 56 carries for a 4.1 average and is also the team’s top tackler with 48. Running back/safety Austin Smith is at 146 yards rushing with a team-leading 4.9 average to go with team bests of five catches for 123 yards and five tackles for loss, among 40 overall.
About Whitko: A pair of Wildcat two-way starters, Ethan Gilbert and Cody Adkins, are out this week and possibly next week due to contact tracing. Gilbert had emerged as Whitko’s top running back, gaining 145 yards on 33 carries over the last two games. He and Adkins are both safeties, with Adkins additionally a wideout and the team’s No. 2 quarterback. ... The Wildcats are coming off a 46-0 loss at Maconaquah in which Mac sophomore quarterback Braxton Birner was other-worldly. He completed 38-of-41 passes for 350 yards and six touchdowns, with the completions, yards and TDs all setting school records. Birner was 26-of-27 for 200 yards by halftime as Mac took a 34-0 lead. … Senior Tyler Veach continues to register big numbers for the Whitko defense, piling up 13 solos and 20 tackles overall against Mac to push his team-leading figures to 37 and 55 (sixth in the state).
Whitko coach Chip Coldiron:
On last week — “Our defense made them work for it. I know the score looks awful, but their first drive took 16 plays, then we fumbled on our first play and it took them 12 more plays to score again. Our problem was the turnovers (two on the Wildcats’ first two snaps, three for the game), but our defense had (its fewest yards allowed per play) all season, around 5, and our offense had the most yards we’ve had all season, 134.”
On Birner — “I’ve never seen a quarterback be that accurate. He had four interceptions the week before, but he didn’t miss, and their line gave him good protection.”
On North Miami — “They like to run the football. They’re 0 and 4 and we’re 0 and 4, and probably both teams are saying the same thing: ‘We’re gonna beat that team.’”