While his team may not return a number of experienced players, fourth-year Warsaw Community High School football coach Troy Akers is happy about the direction the program is headed.
Following a season in which the Tigers posted a 2-9 record overall and an 0-7 mark in the Northern Lakes Conference, Akers has 83 players on his varsity roster - 35 sophomores, 25 juniors, 20 seniors and three freshmen.He says he feels good about the team chemistry that is developing and is proud of the work his players put in over the summer.
"We had 55 kids that were in various camps this summer," said Akers. "The kids worked hard in the offseason. I'm very happy about that."
After nearly three weeks of practices in hot, humid weather, the Tigers will open the season Friday at 7 p.m. when they host the Columbia City Eagles.
Warsaw has opened the season with a win over Columbia City the past nine seasons.
"We've got a lot of young kids," said Akers, whose Tigers are looking for their first winning season in three years. "I like the fact that we've got a lot of sophomore kids that are going to contribute right away. We've got a pretty good team chemistry developing, that's really the key to everything. We're not deep in experience, but we have a number of kids that have worked hard most of the summer."
Akers said there are a number of players fighting for time on the offensive line, and that he is pleased with both senior Ben Higgins and sophomore Justin Clemens at quarterback.
Clemens started the second-round sectional game at No. 8 Homestead last season, while Higgins got varsity experience last year but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the game at NorthWood.
Akers said both will see action at quarterback in Friday's season opener against Columbia City.
"Both are going to play quarterback against Columbia City, I'm pleased with both of them," said Akers. "Ben is a big kid with a strong arm, and so is Justin. Justin gives you a lot of different options because he played tight end on the varsity level as a freshman last year. He can be one of the premier tight ends in the conference. If we put Ben at quarterback, then we can have both of them on the field. Justin may also play defensive end or outside linebacker."
Akers said there are three players in particular that will carry the load of the running game, sophomore Andy Conrad, junior Cody Kindle and senior Ben Davis.
Out wide catching passes from Higgins and or Clemens will be Daniel Conrad, Thomas Justice, Aaron West, Brad Waikel, Quinn Scheller, Luke Champion and Zach Linky.
Defensively, the line could include Andrew Krallman, Leonard Wells and J.J. Bickel. To add speed to the line, Akers said Kindle and Davis may play some on the defensive line.
The inside of the defense will be anchored by Andrew Spears and Quinton Stamper, while Steven Mason, Tyler Adams, Brandon Head and Waikel will play outside linebacker.
In the secondary, Nick Simpson, Sterling Martin, Tom Daniels and West will see varsity action.
After Friday's season opener with Columbia City, the Tigers will travel to Homestead the following week and then return home to open the NLC schedule against Plymouth.
Though his team finished the NLC schedule 0-7 last season, Akers considers Warsaw a team that could be a surprise team and beat some teams maybe some people wouldn't expect them to.
"I would say Elkhart Memorial, Northridge and us could be called surprise teams," said Akers. "Although if those teams win I don't think it'll be a surprise to them. That's what they work hard for. I think a surprise team could end up winning the conference. Our attitude is good, and we know what we have to go out and do. We've worked hard in the weight room, now we have to go out and execute and do the things we've worked on."
