Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 134, Number 44, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 1 November 2012 — Page 7

Panthers Fall to Wawasee in Sectional Semis

BvSnvESmus Correspondent SYRACUSE Despite the performance from quarterback Will Kirkwood, who rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another; the North Wood Panthers could not overcome the balanced attack of the Wawasee Warriors and dropped a heartbreaking 31-28 decision in the semi-final round of the Class 4A sectional. The victory by Wawasee avenged a regular-season loss to North Wood and propelled the Warriors into next week's sectional championship game against Northern Lakes Conference (NLC) rival Concord. The first quarter was a real barnburner, as North Wood's Dominic Miranda returned the opening kickoff 38 yards to near midfield, setting off the opening-stanza fireworks. Four plays later, the Panthers were in the end zone on a three-yard run by Kirkwood, who also rushed for 42 yards on the first two plays from scrimmage to help set up his own score. Brendan Widner's PAT was good and the Panthers had a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. The Warriors answered quickly with a drive of their own, marching 70 yards in 11 plays, with the big gainer being a 39-yard run by junior running back Derrick Sorenson. Sorensen took the pigskin the final yard for a touchdown and Jordan Acton's kick tied the game at 7 all. Back came the Panthers, thanks to another tremendous kickoff return by Miranda to near midfield, setting up a 51-yard touchdown scamper by fullback Luke Edwards on the third play from scrimmage, by far his longest run of the year, to give North Wood a 14-7 lead. Not to be outdone, the Warriors with, a five-play drive own, again featuring anuge 41-yard run by Sorenson, with Gabe Rhodes taking it the final three yards to tie the score at 14 all with 2:35 still to play in the first quarter. Finally, the two defenses decided enough was enough

SHOP NAPPANEE AND SAVE!

The Nappanee United Methodist Thrift Shop is bursting at the seams with up-to-date fashions for the entire family, including children ages newborn to 18 years. Priced to suit your pockets and your life style. Toys, books, kitchen and home accessories also available.

Hours: Wed. 10 -7 pm Fri. 10-4 pm Sat. 10 -1 pm Located at the Nappanee United Methodist Church 301 East Market Street Nappanee, IN PH: 574-773-2985 All Proceeds Go To Missions

NEED P 1 CASH SCv Wa. We will pay cash for broken gold chains, mismatched earrings, wedding bands, pocket watches, sterling flatware, coins, anything gold! flitting Plymouth, IN 46563 www.KingsJewelryPlymouth.com I*** B 9 King's Jewelry in Plymouth

and as the second quarter began, the two teams exchanged punts before North Wood mounted another drive deep into Warrior territory. Unfortunately, after a pass completion from Kirkwood to Travis Bear; the Wawasee defense forced a fumble which was recovered by die Warriors at their own 20-yard line. Five plays later, sophomore quarterback Gage Reinhard nooked up with dassmate Clayton Cook on a crossing pattern and die fleet-footed receiver out-raced the Panther secondary, going 64 yards to give Wawasee their first lead of the night at 21-14. The lead was short-lived, however, as North Wood put together an eight-play, 78-yard drive that featured three pass completions from Kirkwood to senior wideout Nick Graber, the last a 20-yard toss for a touchdown that tied the score at 21 all with 1:50 remaining in the half. The Panthers then got a chance to take the lead when Connor Bunch picked off an errant Reinhard pass at the Warrior 48-yard line, but after driving to the Wawasee 19 with 10 seconds remaining, a Widner 36-yard field goal attempt was wide left, sending the teams to the locker room tied at 21. After an exchange of punts on the first two possessions of the second half, Wawasee took a 24-21 lead on a 29-yard field goal by Acton midway through the third period. North Wood then stormed back in front on a drive that included a seven-yard run on fourth down by punter Bear who avoided a potential blocked kick, saw an opening, and raced for the first down. A twisting 26-yard TD run by Kirkwood on the first

Everything to make your home cozy! 20* Off Christmas Items 40* Off Christmas Cards THE COZY HOME SHOP FS* 111 W Plymouth St., Bremen, IN 46506 |Jyj 574-546-2515

w* 1 "* 4

Community

DAT photos Teammates Tanner Clevelend (#24, on front, during last Friday’s game) and those above (versus Concord earlier this year) say goodbye to a season as the competition against Wawasee halted their hopes for a sectional title.

play of the fourth quarter, dragging two Warrior tacklers into the end zone, put North Wood in the lead at 28-24. After another interception by the Panthers, this one by senior safety Dylan Risser, the Warrior defense rose up and forced a punt, giving the ball back to Wawasee at their own 24 with 4:26 left in the game. Six plays later, the deadly combination of Reinhard to Cook struck again on the exact same play as the first TD toss, this one going 39 yards for the go-ahead score to put the Warriors in the lead at 31-28 with two minutes remaining. North Wood had one final chance but despite moving to near midfield, could go no farther as the Warriors took over on downs and ran three "victory formation" plays to seal the win and advance to the sectional final. Kirkwood rushed for a season-high 92 yards

and two scores to lead the Panthers, while Edwards added 66 yards and score on just four carries. Through the air, Kirkwood was an efficient 15 of 25 for 150 yards and the TD toss to Graber, who caught six of Kirkwood's passes for 83 yards in his final game as a Panther. The Black Crunch defense was led by 11 tackles from senior middle linebacker Albert Gongwer, while Risser, Justice Smith, and Blake Cleveland added seven stops each. Wawasee rushed for 212 yards, led by 111 and a score from Sorenson and 71 and a TD from Rhodes. Reinhard completed 12 of his 22 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns, both to Cook who caught three

AS YOUR COUNTY COUNCILMAN I L^H«T?»7TT-7Yran WILL FOR: and all the citizens of Elkhart County WWW.JOHNLETHERMAN.COM Paid by the Letherman Committee Mary F Thomas Treasurer

PUBLIC AUCTION MDJBB BRAND TOPIS • Dewalt • Black & Decker • Hilti • Makita • and more ÜBHTINB • Chandeliers: Inside/Outside •Dome • Lamps • Ceiling Fans November 23,24 &25 • 1 p.m. November 26 • 6 p.m. 1342 W. Plymouth St., Bremen 574-248-0492 Open daily 10-3 until auction dates Auction by: Norman Earlywine #AU09200004 10% buyers premium will be in effect for this auction! SMI Local checks and cash accepted

Advance News * Thursday. November 1, 2012 <

balls for 114 yards. Rhodes, Sorenson, and Austin Lutz led the Warrior defense with seven tackles apiece. North Wood's season ends at 5-6 while Wawasee (7-4) travels to Concord for a rematch with the Minutemen (9-2), who crushed the Warriors 54-7 back Aug. 31. ‘WAWASEE 31, NORTHWOOD 28T

Call * n y° ur order today! 862-2982 '9 for your Hickory-Smoked MLa Thanksgiving Ttirkey $ 2 59 lb. Martin's Custom Butchering 27570 CR 42, Wakarusa, IN 46573

Page A7

At Syracuse - Sectional Semi-Final North Wood 14 7 0 7 - 28 Wawasee 14 7 3 7-31 NW - Will Kirkwood 3 ran < Brendan Widner kick) W - Derrick Sorensen I ran (Jordan Acton kick) NW - Luke Edwards 51 ran (Widner kick) W - Gabe Rhodes 3 ran (Action kick) W - Clayton Cook 64 pass from Gage Reinhard (Acton kick) NW - Nick Graber 20 pass front Kirkwood (Widner kick) W-Acton 29yd. FG NW - Kirkwood 26 ran (Widner kick) W - Cook 39 pass from Reinhard (Acton kick) North Wood Wawasee Yards Rushing 218 212 Yards Passing 150 179 Passing (Comp/Att/Inl) 15-25-0 12-22-2 Penalties (No/Yds.) 3-20 3-15 Punts (NoVAvg.) 3-24 2-34 Fumbles (NoTLost) 1-1 1-0 Rushing - North Wood (Kirkwood 12-92, TD; Edwards 4-66. TD; Tanner Cleveland 12-42; Blake Cleveland 4-9; Bear 2-9); Wawasee (Sorensen 14-111, TD; Rhodes 11-71, TD; Reinhard 10-26; Clark 2-4) Passing - North Wood (Kirkwrxid 15-25-0, 15(1 yds., TD); Wawasee (Reinhard 12-22-2. 179 yds., 2 TD) Receiving - North Wood (Graber 6-83, TD; Sauccda 3-29; Tanner > Cleveland 4-14; Yoder 1-16; Bear 1-10); Wawasee (Cook 3-114. 2 TD: Elliot 5-16; Rhodes 4-49).