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"Wow!"
A Gatorade-soaked Coach Phil Jensen summed up Warsaw's first sectional victory with just one word.
After the Tigers defeated the Marion Giants 46-20 in the first round of sectional play, Warsaw celebrated the victory that broke their postseason losing streak by gathering for a photo in front of the scoreboard.
The sectional win was the first for the Tigers, who had been 0-13 in the postseason.
"It's a dream come true," said Jensen. "I'm still numb."
Only one other team in the state, Gary Roosevelt, had a worse postseason record than the Tigers. Unlike Warsaw, Roosevelt's bad luck did not end. With a 44-0 Friday loss, Roosevelt fell to 0-15 in sectional games.
In a game that was supposed to be close, Warsaw played its best game of the year, scoring five of its seven touchdowns in the first half.
"I've never seen us play that way," said Jensen. "No one has ever seen a Warsaw team play this way."
Warsaw scored its first touchdown with 1:25 left in the first quarter, but Marion answered just 15 seconds later as Reggie Nevels returned Warsaw's kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown of his own.
Warsaw held a 7-6 lead after Marion's run for the conversion failed.
At the end of the first quarter the score stood at 7-6, with Warsaw on top.
Warsaw broke loose in the second quarter when they scored four touchdowns to go to the halftime break with a 33-6 lead over the Giants.
At the half, Jose Esquivel, who celebrates his birthday today, had 186 yards on 20 carries, and had scored three of the Tiger's five touchdowns.
Both teams came out in the second half ready to play defense.
After a scoreless third quarter that consisted of just two possessions, Warsaw scored the first touchdown of the half with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter.
Behind 40-6, Marion needed to score and score quickly. Unfortunately for the Giants, they could not convert a possession into points until just 4:49 was left in the game.
After Marion's score, Warsaw moved down the field again and scored with 3:08 left in regulation play to make the score 46-14 Tigers.
Marion scored again with 51 seconds remaining in the game, but it was too little, too late for the Giants.
As time ran out, Warsaw celebrated their first sectional victory in school history.
Esquivel, who finished the game with 237 rushing yards on 29 carries, had gotten his birthday present a day early.
The Tigers will host Fort Wayne Northrop next Friday at Fisher Field.
"It will be fantastic to play at home in front of our fans," said Jensen. "We have a great crowd. They deserve it."
WARSAW 46
MARION 20
Warsaw 7 26 0 13 - 46
Marion 6 0 0 14 - 20
W M
First downs 24 14
Rushes-yards 56-324 30-129
Passing 150 91
Comp.-Att.-Int. 6-9-0 6-19-2
Total offense 474 220
Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-2
Penalties-yds. 4-55 4-20
Punts-ave. 1-34 4-36.5
First Quarter
W - 1:25, Jose Esquivel 33 run (Waggoner kick) 7-0 W
M - 1:10, Reggie Nevels 95 kick return (run failed) 7-6 W
Second Quarter
W - 11:24 Esquivel 36 run (kick failed) 13-6 W
W - 4:55 Esquivel 11 run (Waggoner kick) 20-6 W
W - 3:46 Jon Hill 57 pass from Greg Seiss (kick failed) 26-6 W
W - 0:15 Ross Kesler 42 pass from Seiss (kick failed) 33-6 W
Fourth Quarter
W -Ê11:14 Esquivel 2 run (Koser kick) 40-6
M - 4:49 Matt Backs 34 pass from Nevels (Nevels run) 40-14 W
W - 3:08 Steve Perry 1 run (kick blocked) 46-14 W
M - 0:51 Nevels 5 run (run failed) 46-20 W
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing - Warsaw: Esquivel 29-237, 4 TD; Perry 7-38, TD; Marion: Cox 8-81; Nevels 9-37 TD
Receiving - Warsaw: Hill 1-57, TD; Jason Barrett 2-25; Tom Donkers 1-20; Marion: Backs 2-34
Passing - Warsaw: Seiss 6-9-0 150; Marion: Nevels 6-19-2 91
