GOSHEN – The Warsaw Tigers extended their win streak over the Goshen RedHawks to 10 years, and in doing so picked up a much-needed victory as the regular season winds down.
With a 21-0 Northern?Lakes Conference win Friday at Foreman Field in Goshen, the Tigers improved to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Warsaw’s dominating performance, fueled by a ball-control, clock-management offense and a stingy defense that allowed the RedHawks just 63 yards of total offense, came a week after a 24-6 homecoming loss to Northridge.
As head coach Phil Jensen said after the game, being 3-3 is a lot better than 2-4 heading into a three-game stretch that includes the “W” game with Wawasee and matchups with state-ranked NorthWood and Concord.
“This is a big moment for us, absolutely,” said Jensen, whose team was without senior offensive starters Will McGarvey and Trevor York. “Anything can happen in the “W” game, and then we all know how good NorthWood and Concord are.
“We talked to the kids about what happened 10 years ago when I came back and how great we were supposed to be with (Justin) Clemens, and (Zack) Linky, and (Andy) Conrad. We started the season 1-4, and at halftime against Goshen we’re getting beat and they made a conscious decision that it was enough.
“We went on to win six straight, beat Homestead who had beat us earlier in the year, and we played for a sectional championship and gave Fort Wayne Snider everything they wanted.
“We talked about that, and our kids have to continue to act on what they want to be, not with where they’re at. We’re too complacent today with where we’re at. We’ve got to act on what we want, and where want to go.”
The shutout was Warsaw’s first since a 21-0 win over Wawasee on Oct. 2, 2015.
The RedHawks, who have lost 16 of the last 19 meetings with the Tigers, fell to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the NLC.
Warsaw’s strong defensive play, which included three sacks by junior Jaxon Wagoner, held Goshen to 24 rushing yards on 28 attempts.
The RedHawks completed just 4 of 12 pass attempts for 39 yards and were picked off once by junior Trenton Sands.
Jensen called the win a team effort, and also applauded senior quarterback Tristan Larsh, who completed 10 of 14 passes for 85 yards, though he did throw an interception, and rushed for a team-high 80 yards on 14 carries.
Junior Bryce Garner, getting a large number of carries in the absence of the injured McGarvey, tallied 40 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts.
Garner powered his way in from a yard out on the Tigers’ first possession.
Larsh scored on Warsaw’s next drive, burning Goshen’s defense with a 31-yard run with 7:50 left in the second quarter.
Junior Josh West scored the Tigers’ third touchdown, running in from five yards out late in the first half while he replaced Larsh, who went to the sideline following a big hit.
“Tristan had a big night,” said Jensen. “We’ve been looking for the right combinations for Tristan all year. He had a great attitude, a tremendous response, and he came out ready to go tonight.
“Bryce ran hard, got us some tough yards. Our offensive line kept plugging at it. I’m just really proud of them ... this is a great team effort.
“The defense didn’t give up any big plays. Special teams, we had a few moments where it got a little scary, but our sophomore punter (Harrison Mevis) kept things together. Just a great team effort, I’m real pleased.”
The Tigers host Wawasee Friday at Fisher Field in the annual battle for the “W” trophy, while Goshen travels to Northridge.
WARSAW 21, GOSHEN 0
W 7 14 0 0 — 21
G 0 0 0 0 — 0
W G
1st downs 17 6
Rushing yds 154 24
Passing yds 85 39
Comp-Att-Int 10-14-1 4-12-1
Total yds 239 63
Fumbles/lost 1/0 1/0
Penalties/yds 4/30 1/5
Punts/Avg 4/38 4/40
First Quarter
W – Bryce Garner 1 run (Harrison Mevis kick) 4:47, 7-0
