Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 121, Number 48, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 2 December 1998 — Page 8

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, December 2, 1998

Chatard halts NW quest for state title

By Barb Keiser Editor Indianapolis Chatard had a strong second half of football, and the North Wood Panthers were on the receiving end, as Chatard captured its second straight Class 3A title Saturday, taking the Panthers 23-6 at thfe RCA Dome in Indianapolis. North Wood scored first, with junior QB Charlie Roeder capping a seven-play, 57-yard drive with a three-yard plunge to paydirt. The PAT kick was no good, but the Panthers were up 6-0 at 7:54 of the opening stanza. Chatard came back later in the quarter with a 28-yard field goal, and that score stood through the remainder of the hard-fought first half of play. The Indy school scored following a 12-play drive which covered 65 yards and took up 5:50 of the clock. Although the NW scoring was closed out for the remainder of the game, Chatard was on the board three more times, accumulating six points in the third, on a five-yard run, with the PAT kick failing, and scoring twice in the last quarter, from 22 and one yard out. Those kicks were good, and the Trojans had their second consecutive state title. “We weren’t able to handle their defensive line against our offensive line,” stated Coach Rich Dodson. “That was probably the big difference in the game. We just couldn’t control the football very much, and that led to field position, and then they made some plays offensively, and that was the ball game.” Dodson continued, “We felt we had a chance to do something no

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ONE MORE TlME—Junior Panther QB Charlie Roeder, who has had an outstanding season for North Wood, goes back to attempt a pass, in Saturday's Class 3A football championship contest, played in Indianapolis, Roeder gets protection from senior teammate/classmate Aaron. Huber, who has also had an exceptional season. Roeder scored the lone TD for the Panthers, who fell 23-6 to Indianapolis Chatard, in NW's fourth quest for a state gridiron title. (AN photo by Kim Keiser)

Weidenhaft earns volleyball honors

Former Panther athlete Heather Weidenhaft, a student at Florida Atlantic University, was among those nominated to the GTE District HI Academic All America second team for volleyball. A total of 13 athletes from 12 different schools in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia comprise the team, as selected by the College of Sports Information Directors of America. Weidenhaft, a 6-0 senior middle blocker from Nappanee, earned first team honors for the Trans America Athletic Conference. She Cancer information available by phone The word “Cancer” can be frightening, and often causes many concerns and questions. The Cancer Information Service, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, is an agency of the United States Government. < For free information, dial 1-800- . 4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). is available in both ;English and Spanish, and includes ;free publications, certified facilities and information specialists. Call Monday through Friday, £from 9a.m.-4:30p.m. Most of the is available simply by fusing selected numbers on your Ijtouchtone telephone, however, are also on call for special •♦needs.

North Wood team had done. It was good to get the first score, but we had a crucial penalty (10-yard holding penalty at Chatard twoyard line on apparent first-and-one) that set us back when we got close and that was one of the differences. Thev had good field position and they scored there at the end.” For the game, North Wood had 13 first downs, to 15 for Chatard. The Panthers racked up a total of 141 yards of offense, to 305 for the Trojans. North Wood punted five times, for a 36.6 average, and Chatard three for 31.0. The Panthers were guilty of a single fumble, losing the ball, while Chatard did not fumble in the contest. The Trojans were penalized 10 times for 109 yards, and the Panthers 4-35. Roeder closed the contest with 68 yards on 15 carries, while Aaron Huber was held to just 26 in 10 tries, and Chad Knisely four in three carries. Roeder was good on 8-17 passes for 90 yards, with Huber catching three for 23, Brad Greenlee two for 40, and lan Reed, Brock Doty and Corey Brown, each one, for 12, 14 and 1 yard, respectively. A highlight for Panther fans was the awarding of the mental attitude award to senior Panther Brad Greenlee. See front page photo for more information regarding this prestigious award. North Wood’s Black Crunch defensive effort was led by Brown with 12 hits, including one for loss, and Andy Sheets’ 11 tackles. Joe Abel and Todd McDonald each added seven hits, Brock Doty and Greenlee six each, Huber and Justin Sellon five each, with

led Florida Atlantic University in kills per game at 3.661, and in blocks at 0.909. She also led the league in attacks and blocks. Weidenhaft earned TAAC Player of the Week honors this season, as well as being named to the UNC-Charlotte and Tennessee Tournament teams.

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PRESENT MEDALS—Members of the 1998 edition of North Wood Panther Football line up to receive their state finalist medals, following Saturday afternoon's 23-6 loss to Indianapolis Chatard. It was the Panthers' fourth attempt at a state title, and the fourth

Sellon getting a QB sack. Matt Moser three, Chad Martin and Derek Mast each two, with Mast getting a sack, and Trent Stump, a QB sack, while Bill Mitschelen, C.J. Lane, Glenn Geiser, Brook Blosser and lan Reed each- had a single tackle. Huber also had a pass interception. Roeder summed up the Panther effort, saying, “We didn’t play like we could. If we would have played

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EARNED REWARDS—The Panthers receive their welldeserved medals, signifying them as state finalists in Class 3A for the 1998 football season. Awards were presented on the playing field at the RCA Dome, following North Wood s 23-6 loss to Indianapolis Chatard. Making the presentations is IHSAA Board of Directors Frank DeSantis, Bremen. (AN photo by Kim Keiser)

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FIRE UP!—NorthWood's Panther mascot encouraged the fans to support their team, as the Class 3A football state finals are played on the field at the RCA Dome on Saturday, November 26. NW closed with an impressive 114 mark, losing the title to Indianapolis Chatard, 23-6. (AN photo by Kim Keiser)

time they have had to settle for runner-up medallions. However, North Wood did have another mental attitude award winner in Senior Captain Brad Greenlee. (AN photo by Kim Keiser)

our best, we would have won. We didn’t, so we didn’t win.” The Panthers brought home the runner-up trophy for the fourth time, in four to the state finals. North Wood finished as the runner-up in 1980 (2A), 1986 and 1993, Class 3A. Hobart has the most runner-up finishes, with seven, while North Wood and Jasper are now tied at four for the second-most on the state list.

PANTHER SCORE—North Wood's junior QB Charlie Roeder scores for the Panthers in the opening quarter of Saturday's state final game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Beginning the end zone celebration is lan Reed (#2). (AN photo by Ron Keiser)

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SIDELINE WATCH—Coaches Rich Dodson, Michael Ripperger and Gene Zercher can only watch as their Panthers put coaching advice into action, during Saturday's Class 3A football championship contest, played in the RCA Dome, Indianapolis. The Panthers fell short, 23-6, to Indianapolis Chatard, but can hold their heads high, as they closed out an impressive season, 11-4. (AN photo by Kim Keiser)

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