Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE -ÊValley fans got an inkling of what was in store for their Vikings within the first 15 seconds of the football game against Warsaw Friday night.
On the night Valley chose to honor the 20 year anniversary of the 1979 State Championship team, Warsaw chose start the game with an 81-yard pass play to Chris Clay that resulted in a touchdown with 11:45 left in the first quarter.
"I watched the game films from the last two years, and each season, we have resorted to the run to beat Valley," said Warsaw coach Phil Jensen. "This year we decided to catch them off guard and start with the pass."
"They opened the game with an 81-yard touchdown pass," said Valley coach Scott Bibler. "The enthusiasm we had in the locker room and coming out to the field was zapped right there."
The game went downhill for the Vikings from there. At the 8:59 mark in the first quarter Brad Seiss broke away for a 52-yard rushing touchdown to put Warsaw up 14-0.
The Tigers were not finished, however, as Mike Moore ran the ball seven yards for another touchdown with 6:48 still remaining in the first stanza.
Warsaw continued to add points to the board in the second quarter as Greg Seiss connected with Ross Kesler for two more touchdowns, giving the Tigers a 35-3 lead at the half.
The Valley and Warsaw defensive squads were successful from the third quarter through the first half of the fourth as both offenses were held scoreless.
"We were ineffective early against the pass," said Bibler. "In the second half we did a little better. It could've been a nasty blowout, but our guys came out and played with heart."
Valley scored the last points of the game with 7:10 remaining in the fourth when Derek Domenico ran one yard into the end zone to make the score 35-9 in Warsaw's favor.
"We got thumped good," said Scott Bibler. "They beat us up and down the field. Warsaw was bigger, faster, and stronger. I thought we would play a better game than we did tonight.
"I have to give the Warsaw coaching staff and players a lot of credit, they have a very good team."
"We face Plymouth next week," said Jensen. "We'll keep working and hopefully shoe up ready to play."
The Warsaw Tigers, now 2-0, host Plymouth for their first Northern Lakes Conference game Friday while the Vikings travel to Manchester for their first Three Rivers Conference matchup.
