Trio of 100-yards rushers pace Whitko in 46-24 TRC win
Posted
Ryan Villanueva-
SOUTH WHITLEY — The only thing that Whitko head football coach Josh Mohr could have been bitter about Friday night was getting a cold bucket of water dumped on him in sub-50 degree temperatures. He still was not mad, and it was hard to be upset after the Whitko Wildcats (2-2, 2-0 Three Rivers Conference) won their second-straight game with a 46-24 victory over rival Manchester (0-4, 0-2 TRC) to remain unbeaten in the conference. “One of our big goals is always to go after the conference championship,” said Mohr. “It’s our number one goal every year.” Whitko was very effective in its ground game with the aid of three 100-yard rushers in junior halfback Tanner Hughes (23 carries for 122 yards), senior quarterback Ethan Nicodemus (10-113) and junior running back Devin Gerding (6-107). “Hats off to the guys up front,” said Mohr. “Offensive linemen – we made some small adjustments and they kept firing away and kept attacking up front and some good things happened. We got the passing going a little bit there, and we’re getting things well rounded off.” Nicodemus did not throw the ball too much, but he was able to complete 4 of 9 passes, three of them being touchdown passes. Two of the touchdowns were caught by freshman receiver Garrett Elder, one for 35 yards and another for 32 yards. “He’s got some speed to him, so we’re going to utilize him any way we can,” said Mohr of Elder. Manchester had seen some great individual showings, including a 141-yard rushing performance from junior running back Jacob Casper. Also from Manchester, senior receiver Brodi Carter hauled in five passes for 132 yards and junior receiver Daniel Griese caught five for 79 yards and a score. Despite some bright spots, it was certainly frustrating for Manchester head coach Greg Miller and his Squires. “Our kids were fired up to come to Whitko and get their first victory, and it didn’t happen,” said Miller. “Hats off to coach Mohr and the Wildcats, they played extremely well offensively and defensively.” The Squires put themselves in great situations throughout, especially the second play of the game – a 54-yard touchdown run by Casper. They were also deep in Whitko territory on a couple occasions, but Whitko’s Tanner Gaff was able to come up with two interceptions in the third quarter that kept them at bay. “We came down and got a quick score, but you can’t rely on that to carry you through the whole game,” said Miller. “We always feel we have opportunities to put it in the end zone and we can score quickly. We’ve just got to execute every time we’ve got the ball.” This Friday, the Wildcats travel to Wabash to visit the Apaches, who are reeling after being shut out 21-0 by the North Miami Warriors. Manchester, still seeking its first win, will return home to face the Warriors, Greg Miller’s former team. “This one stings and our kids are feeling it,” said Miller. “We have to understand that we’re in our first year, so we’re still working out those kinks. “We’re going to continue to fight with them,” he added.
WHITKO 46, MANCHESTER 24 M 7 10 0 7 — 24 W 7 19 13 7 — 46
M W 1st downs 17 18 Rushing yds 123 388 Passing yds 234 123 Comp-Att-Int 12-31-3 4-10-0 Total yds 357 491 Fumbles/lost 2/0 2/1 Penalties/yds 5/49 9/67 Punts/avg 4/35.8 2/30
First Quarter M – Jacob Casper 54 run (Ross Messer kick)10:52, 7-0 W – Ethan Nicodmus 32 pass to Garrett Elder (Brady Herendeen kick) 0:41, 7-7 Second Quarter W – Nicodemus 23 pass to Devin Gerding (Herendeen kick) 8:56, 14-7 M – Messer 45 field goal 6:24, 14-10 W – Tanner Hughes 14 run (kick failed) 5:17, 20-10 W – Nicodemus 35 pass to Elder (kick failed) 3:18, 26-10 M – Lucas Schilling 5 run (Messer kick) 0:17, 26-17 Third Quarter W – Nicodemus 65 run (kick failed) 10:57, 32-10 W – Hughes 4 run (Herendeen kick) 2:05, 39-10 Fourth Quarter M – Schilling 4 pass Daniel Griese (Messer kick) 5:08, 39-24 W – Nicodemus 7 run (Herendeen kick) 1:41, 46-24
