DUNLAP - In a Northern Lakes Conference football clash at Concord, Warsaw's offense delivered the first hit, and then the Tigers' defense came through with the knockout punch.
The host Minutemen simply weren't a match for Warsaw Friday night, as the Tigers dominated the game from the opening kickoff until the final seconds ticked off the clock en route to an impressive 24-0 win."These kids didn't quit," Warsaw coach Phil Jensen said of his players. "They've grown up so much. We've got senior leadership emerging every where. Things didn't go our way early in the season, and these kids could have folded up the tent when we were 1-4, but they didn't."
The Tigers, who got on the scoreboard on the second play of the game when senior workhorse running back Andy Conrad switched directions and weaved his way through the Concord defense for a 63-yard touchdown run, improved to 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the NLC.
While Warsaw enter's next Friday's sectional opener at Fort Wayne Northrop on a four-game winning streak, the Minutemen open sectional play at Logansport after three consecutive losses.
Concord, which was held scoreless for the first time since 2003, fell to 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the NLC.
The Tigers and Minutmen join Elkhart Memorial, Northridge and NorthWood in a five-way tie for second place in the NLC. Plymouth won the outright championship with a 7-0 record.
A month ago, Warsaw's season was marked with injuries and disappointment, now there's plenty of excitement and optimism heading into the Class 5A state tournament.
A week after beating conference power NorthWood 7-6, Warsaw's ever-improving defense blanked a Concord team that was averaging nearly 32 points per game.
The Minutemen were bigger at nearly every position, but where Warsaw lacked in size, it made up for it in heart and desire. The Tigers won the old-fashioned way, rolling up their sleeves on a cold night and flat out getting the job done.
"Concord is a very big, strong team," said Jensen, whose team avenged last year's 55-6 loss to the Minutemen. "But heart counts, and we found our heart. We made a lot of great plays. I'm proud of the kids."
Warsaw was impressive on both sides of the ball, as its offense racked up 300 rushing yards and its defense made four interceptions and recovered a fumble.
The Tiger defense held Concord's high-powered offense to 74 yards on the ground and 72 through the air.
"A lot of the kids we have playing on defense were green," said Jensen. "Injuries really affected the defense, and now these kids are experienced. They're flying around and making plays. We've got depth and so much senior leadership now."
Conrad barrelled his way in from 12 yards out with 1:47 remaining in the first half, and senior Matt Franco's extra-point kick gave the Tigers a 14-0 lead.
Franco added a 25-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half to up Warsaw's advantage to 17-0.
Senior quarterback Justin Clemens put the final points on the board midway through the third quarter when he ran up the middle of the Concord defense for a 30-yard touchdown.
"We made some big plays," said Jensen. "We're running the option better each week. Andy and Tyler (Adams) are running hard. Justin is running hard. Our offensive line is getting better. We're getting great blocks from our receivers, Zack Linky and Lucas Denlinger. They're turning 4- and 5-yard gains into big plays."
Warsaw had four rushes of 30-plus yards against Concord.
To go with his 63-yard gain in the opening minute, Conrad later had a 43-yard run.
Adams' first carry of the night was a 44-yard gain, and Clemens scored on a 30-yard burst.
Conrad finished the game with 22 carries for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
Clemens added 15 carries for 52 yards, while Adams racked up 60 yards on 12 attempts.
Clemens completed 5 of 10 passes for 57 yards.
Matt Abbitt, Jalen Roscoe, Linky, Denlinger and Conrad all caught a pass in the win.
TeShon Sanders led Concord's ground game with 11 carries for 41 yards, while quarterback Anthony Yoder added seven attempts for 24 yards.
Yoder finished the game 6 of 22 through the air for 72 yards. He threw four interceptions.
