Warsaw Community High School football coach Phil Jensen described Homestead's offense as explosive.
The Spartans were certainly that, and then some, Friday night, as they spoiled Warsaw's season opener by beating the Tigers 52-3."Homestead is an oustanding football team," said Jensen, whose Tigers fell to 0-2 on the season. "They have good athletes and they play very hard. We haven't been hit the way Homestead hit us. We've got to go harder in practice or something. We've got to get ready for the Northern Lakes Conference. Way back when, when we first put Homestead on the schedule, it was to see how we stacked up. We were exposed tonight."
The Spartans, who improved to 2-0 on the season, displayed their explosiveness on offense as they raced out to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter and a 38-3 lead at halftime.
Homestead's first scoring drive took all of two plays and 23 seconds.
After Warsaw cut the deficit to 7-3 with a 35-yard field goal from Scott Smyth, the Spartans responded with a three-play drive that lasted 19 seconds - one that was set up by Grayson Bastin's 92-yard kickoff return and capped off by Brad Mills' 1-yard plunge.
Following a three-and-out and 20-yard punt by the Tigers, Homestead put together a three-play drive that took a 1:08 off the clock and put the Spartans up 21-3 with 1:46 remaining in the first quarter, as junior quarterback Zach Terrell raced in from 19 yards out and Austin Wilburn added the extra-point kick.
"It all starts up front," Homestead coach Chad Zolman said, giving credit to his offensive line, a unit that paved the way for the Spartans as they ran 157 yards and six touchdowns and passed for 210 yards and a score. "We've got kids who do a good job blocking, and we've got a good quarterback and some good running backs and receivers that do their jobs. We feel fortunate to get a win tonight. Coach Jensen always does a great job with his teams. Warsaw will be a different team at the end of the season."
Homestead beat Warsaw 31-17 in Week 2 last season, and then fell 10-7 to the Tigers in the sectional semifinals.
Friday's contest at Fisher Field was never in doubt, however, as the Spartans scored at least 14 points in each of the first three quarters and held Warsaw to 101 total yards of offense in the 49-point win.
Led by Tyler Adams' 16 carries for 41 yards, the Tigers rushed for 93 yards on 44 carries. Brock Anson, who started in the defensive secondary, racked up 22 yards on five carries while playing quarterback when the game was out of reach.
Starting quarterback Jeremy Coppes rushed for 10 yards on 10 carries. Coppes completed 1 of 6 passes for eight yards.
The Spartans' offensive stats read totally different, as Terrell completed 15 of 23 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown.
Cody Appenzeller led Homestead's ground game with nine carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Terrell carried three times for 55 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Jake Weber led the Spartans' receiving corps eith five catches for 78 yards and touchdown.
"They've got so many weapons, and it starts with No. 11 (Terrell)," said Jensen. "They've got guys who block, guys who run hard, a good quarterback, good receivers, and they play unselfishly and do their job."
A team that trailed Huntington North 30-20 at halftime in the season opener, Homestead has outscored its opponent 87-3 in the past six quarters.
"Offensively, we didn't play well in the first half last week, we had three turnovers," said Zolman. "In the second half (against Huntington North) we did things differently. This was a tough week, and the kids went through some tough practices. This was a good win for us."
Homestead, which holds an 8-6 advantage in the all-time series against Warsaw, opens Northeast Hoosier Conference play Friday by hosting East Noble.
The Tigers, who are 0-2 against NHC teams this season, open Northern Lakes Conference play when they travel to U.S. 30 rival Plymouth Friday.
