The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 34, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 October 1987 — Page 8

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., October 7,1987

Sports

Foy's blocked kick hands Warriors 'win of season'

j By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Editor

WARSAW — For Wawasee, Friday’s Northern Lakes Conference football game was its game of the season. For Warsaw it was just another one-point loss Both teams played exceptionally well, evident by the lack of penalties —two — flagged in the contest. However, it wasn’t until Mike Foy blocked Randy Dawson’s extra point kick with 1:02 remaining that Wawasee claimed its 14-13 NLC victory over the Tigers. Wawasee took a 14-7 lead with 2:16 left in the game when Mike Meek bulled his way into the end zone. Bruce Jackson tacked on the PAT, which proved to be the game-winning point. But Warsaw didn't quit Inquarterback Paul Wiley moved the Tigers' offense 81 yards in seven plays for what looked like the game-tying points and an overtime period In the drive, Wiley teamed with Ron Davis (or a 40-yard gain The completed pass took Warsaw out of a hole, moving the pigskin from its 19 to Wawasee’s 41 Wiley set up his eight-yard touchdown pass to Clint Johnson with a 22-yard run on third-and-nine. But the Tigers failed to execute on the conversion attempt, sealing their fate. The breakdown near the middle of Warsaw’s line enabled Foy to have <a uirect shot at Dawson s

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JUBILATION — Wawasee coaches Myron Dickerson and Kim Lobsiger proclaim victory after Mike Foy blocked Randy Dawson’s PAT kick in the closing minutes of Friday’s NLC game at Warsaw. The Warriors defeated Warsaw 14-13. (Photo by Dale Tobias) ,

Warriors lose in OT

SYRACUSE - Plymouth scored a touchdown in overtime Thursday, Oct. 1, as the Rockies bested Wawasee’s freshman football team 18-12 at Wawasee. Brent Conley scored on a 26-yard touchdown run for the

East Noble knocks Goshen from unbeaten ranks

KENDALLVILLE - Two big pass plays by East Noble Friday night proved to be enough as the host Knights upset llth-ranked Goshen 13-9 in a non-conference high school football game It is Goshen’s first loss of the season, and first East Noble victory over a Redskins squad in four grid meeting. The Redskins return to Northern Lakes Conference action Friday evening at Plymouth. The Redskins dominated the contest during the first half of action. However, quarterback Rick Mirer could only lead his team into the end zone once before intermission. Nevertheless, the Redskins increased their 6-0 halftime to 9-0 midway through the third period on Erik Gouker’s 30-yard field goal. Goshen failed to generate any offense after the threepointer. Goshen netted 33 total yards during the final quarter-and-one-half and East Noble exploded. Tommy Nartker moved the Knights down field immediately after Goshen’s field goal. After a couple of runs, Nartker hit Jeff Reynolds on a 67-yard touchdown

PAT kick The 5-8 junior made the most of the opportunity, blocking the game-tying pbint. “We have away of screwing up games,’’ said Kevin Westover, a dejected Warsaw mentor after the game "The kids never quit, but yet they have nothing to show for their effort." Neither team scored in the opening half, although both had opportunities. Wawasee’s best drive was thwarted when a Chris Conkling pass was intercepted at the Tigers’ 15 On the play. Conkling had Brett Harter all alone in the end zone, but the sophomore QB went to a secondary receiver and had the ball picked off. The Tigers took the opening kick and moved to Wawasee’s 31 before the drive stalled. Eight consecutive running plays seemed to cross up the Warrior defense until Warsaw gambled on a ninth consecutive rushing attempt on fourth-and-four. Wiley's bootleg around the short side of the field fooled no one. including Wawasee’s Josh Lantz who stopped the signalcaller two-yards shy of the first down. “Not too many teams run on us," said Wawasee coach Myron Dickerson. "We aren't quite as strong as we were two or three years ago. but we still have a pretty good defense against the rush." The Warriors broke the scoreless tie late in the third period. After both teams traded

Warriors and Tim Schwartz added a 32-yard interception return for a Wawasee score. The Warriors close their season Thursday with a 6:30 content at Warsaw.

strike. The play was a simple slant pattern over the middle, but several Goshen defenders were caught inside and the speedy receiver went the distance for the score East Noble attacked minutes later

Around the NLC

Nartker, looking to get another quick six, lofted a high pass near the Redskins’ sideline. Wally Gadomski outjumped Goshen’s defender for the completion at the Redskins’ four. From there Nartker took the ball into paydirt. After one running play netted a single yard Nartker dashed into the end zone from three-yards out. The Knights’ try for two-points failed, but the hosts had enough points for the win. Statistically, Mirer connected on 15-of-34 passes for 195 yards. His counterpart, only playing his second game of the season because of a suspension, completed seven-of-20 attempts for 205 yards.

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GAME-SAVER — Wawasee’s Mike Foy breaks through Warsaw’s line and blocks Randy Dawson’s PAT attempt as the Warriors defeated the Tigers 14-13 Friday evening. Warsaw scored with 1:02 re-

punts, Wawasee started a 76-yard scoring drive. Two Conkling passes to Harter highlighted the scoring march After Brad Richards gave the Warriors a first down on the second play, Harter caught a 22-yard pass from Conkling Harter added a 13-yard reception. moving the pigskin trom

Warsaw dunks Warriors in key NLC meet

WARSAW — Warsaw and Wawasee girls' swim teams battled each other in typical fashion Tuesday. The result, however, was anything but typical as the Warriors dropped an 88-78 Nor them Lakes Conference meet to the Tigers In the defeat, Wawasee garnered two first places and an host of personal best efforts. Wawasee was not at full strength in dropping its first NLC meet. Danielle Iwankowitsch was absent from the meet and Sherry Payne, although able to swim, was sick. Still, Wawasee coach Tim Caldwell refused to make excuses for the loss “We had some super swims against Warsaw," said Caldwell, referring to personal best outings from Sirena Bartow, Chris Ridings and Debbie Bickel “But we don’t have the depth that we need when we lose someone. We

Harrier's second at Manchester Invitational

NORTH MANCHESTER - Wawasee’s boys' cross country team reached a milestone Saturday at the Manchester Cross Country Invitational as four runners finished under the 17-minute mark. Carroll won the boys’ closed division with 73 points. Wabash took second with 103 and Wawasee placed third with 127 points. Manchester placed fourth in the 19th annual event Jason Douglas paced the boys’ effort with a 13th place finish and 16:39 time. Jeff Carey continued his strong running with a 19th placing and 16:52 clocking. Steve Eastman finished 21st with at 16:52 and Eric Mock was 24th at 16:55. Other Warriors placing in the event included Brian Jones, 50th, 17:39; Chad Jones, 54th, 17:43; and Cong Reed, 70th, 18:06

<on<ord 7. -r(,ymouth o — Vic Chael’s three-yard, third period touchdown held up as the Minutemen defeated Plymouth 7-0 Friday evening at Concord A slippery turf failed to slow Chael’s running efforts Friday. The darting back accumulated 208 yards rushing and the lone TD as Concord won the Northern Lakes Conference game The winning touchdown was set up by Concord’s stubborn defense. Pete Emkow fell on a Plymouth fumble at the Rockies’ 37 and six plays later Chael lunged into the end zone. Concord’s victory snapped a four-game losing skid. The Minutemen stand 2-4 on the season, same as Plymouth. The Minutemen host Northridge Friday evening, while the Rockies entertain league-leading Goshen. BREMEN 20, NORTHWOOD 7 — For a change, Bremen's offense wasn’t paced by senior quarterback Joey Bennett. Instead, the Lions' running game dominated the wet Northern Lakes Conference action as the visitors defeated North Wood, 20-7.

Warsaw's 26 yard stripe to the 13. Two plays later. Meek went in for the score The Tigers, on their next possession, scrapped the running game for an aerial attack. "The weather was a factor," said Westover, defending his reasons for rushing the ball more than passing in the first half.

tried to cover the best we Could." Shelley Boyer was the Warriors' first winner, upsetting teammate Julie Gunn in diving. Boyer finished with 167.25 points, while Gunn failed one dive and finished with 164,55 points. Julie Moerchen completed Wawasee’s sweep in diving The Warriors' final victory was in the 500-yard freestyle Lori Boles easily won the event, finishing in 6:09.5. Chris Ridings turned in a personal best swim in the samfe event, placing third with a 6:29 9time Ridings also turned in a personal best swim in the 200 yard freestyle, although placing fifth Kara Hoskins won the event with an outstanding 2:03 8 time, while Boles was second with her 2:18.5 time Sirena Bartow' added a personal best in the 200 freestyle and placed third with a 2.20.5 swim Debbie Bickel clipped nearly

In the girls' closed division. Michigan City won team honors with 100 points Dak Hill was second with 110 points and Woodlan placed third with 129 points Wawasee finished 19th with 425 points.

Northridge tops Wawasee in NLC volleyball match

MIDDLEBURY - Nor thridge s girls' volleyball team used a solid passing game Thurs day. Oct 1, to defeat Wawasee 9-15, 15-13, 15-8. in a Northern Lakes Conference volleyball match The win improved the Raiders' record to 10-5. Wawasee fell to 5-15.

Randy Weirich gave the Pan thers' large homecoming turnout something the cheer about early in the game. The powerful running back bruised his way into the end zone, giving North Wood a 7-0 lead But that was North Wood could do the rest of the game. Bremen’s sound defensive unit stopped the Panthers, limiting them to 113 total yards Meanwhile, Bennett put the Lions on the scoreboard with his six-yard touchdown pass to Richard Moren. The point after touchdown try failed, allow) ig North Wood to cling to its 7-6 lead. Moren, however, gave Bremen the lead with a one-yard TD plunge midway through -the second period. Bennett teamed with Ron Coffel for the two-point conversion and a 14-7 lead. The Lions put the game out of reach late in the third period with Bennett’s seven-yard dash into paydirt. The extra point kick failed, but the game was history as the fourth quarter started. The win improves Bremen's Northern Lakes Conference ledger to 5-1 North Wood fell to \3-3 overall and 2-3 in the con-

maining but Foy spoiled the Tigers’ homecoming with the blocked PAT. i Photo by Dale Tobias)

*i. "Our receivers and quarterback missed a lot of practice this week so we worked on our running game We thought we could run against them.” [The change in offensive philosophy benefitted Warsaw. Beginning from its 17, Warsaw used three Wiley completions to tie the score. The big play of the

four seconds off her best time in the 100-yard butterfly to finish second Cindy Keough won the event for the Tigers with a 1:06.9 time Bickel finished in 1:13.3. Cyndi Guimond turned in another Wawasee second place, doing so in the 200 individual medley Stef Berkey was third. The pair finished in the same positions in the 100-yard breaststroke. Payne added a runner-up finish in the 50-yard freestyle, while Bartow was third in the 100 freestyle and Tonya Perzanowski was third in the 100-yard backstroke. The Warriors, now 7-2 on the season, face Northern Lakes Conference league-leader Concord Thursday evening in Dunlap. The Minutemen are undefeated in conference action.

Leading the Warriors was Jennifer Titus, who finished 19th with a 16:17 time. Jill Boles was 93rd, while Kim Carmichael was two spots behind Boles. Stacey Lent finished 97th and Lori Gargett, 121.

Amy Conroy was Wawasee’s most effective server, scoring 13 points. Wendy Lung had 14 spikes, including one kill, and Jenni Gilmore added 35 successful sets. In other action, Northridge's freshman squad routed Wawasee 15-0, 15-6. The Warriors' junior varsity team dropped a 1-15, 7-15 decision to the Raiders.

ference. North Wood travels to Warsaw Friday evening for another NLC contest with the Tigers. WAWASEE 14. WARSAW 13 — Mike Meek scored two touchdowns and Mike Foy blocked Warsaw’s final PAT conversion attempt with 1:02 remaining as the Warriors defeated Warsaw 14-13 in Warsaw. Wawasee broke the scoreless tie with Meek’s first score of the evening late in the third period. The Tigers, however, immediately scored in the fourth period to deadlock the score. Meek scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:16 remaining in the game, but the Tigers retaliated with a potential gametying touchdown one minute later. But Foy, Wawasee’s defensive specialist, blocked Warsaw’s PAT kick giving the Warriors the one-point win. The win raises Wawasee’s record to 3-3 overall and in conference play. Warsaw dropped to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the NLC. It was Warsaw’s third one-point loss this season

drive was Gary Schue s 43-yard reception on third-and-10 from the initial line of scrimmage. Schue added a 23-yard reception, later in the drive, before Wiley hit Davis in the end zone from the four. Dawson added the point after touchdown forging a 7-7 tie.

' -»V^-*>' * w- . ' - \ -•-. **° ■-:: -•■ " i&i ~ ' •*• «<g_ -''• ;ix •' •? ; •».' ■ " " _ «-.. •' «*■*• jfltiESiiC R- */■* ■''««shßs^e^ '■ BUTTEFLY RELAY — Debbie Bickel swims her leg of the 200-yard butterfly relay during action in the Goshen Relays. The Warriors finished third in the event as Warsaw set a meet record en route to the win. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

Players rewarded for trench work

Far too often athleteslhat play non-glamorous positions (nose tackle, right guard, center) fail to get proper recognition. This is an unfortunate situation, but somewhat remedied today. The media is to blame for this oversight. We jump at the stars, the headline makers, in turn, forget about the unsung heroes. Often times it is the people in the trenches, behind the scenes, that make the stars. A winning team can’t survive without these type of players. Wawasee wouldn’t have whipped Warsaw Friday night had it not been for several unsung heroes. Wawasee’s players in those non-glamorous positions were the difference in the thrilling 14-13 Northern Lakes Conference victory. Wawasee’s offense would have been stagnant, unproductive, if Rich Freeman and Jason Prescott hadn’t turned in outstanding games on the offensive line. Freeman was particularly spectacular in the first half. Every time the Warriors rushed the football, Freeman was leading interference. It was planned that way, fortunately, Freeman responded. In the second half, however, it was a team effort. Prescott, playing a new position, wasn’t expected to produce for the Warriors. He was an unknown to Warsaw, not even the football program listed him on Wawasee’s roster. In the weeks to come, it will be hard for Wawasee’s opponents — Fort Wayne Harding, Goshen and Columbia City — to overlook the * hard-working Warrior. If the three teams do, it could prove very costly for them. In addition, Dan O’Haver, Kenny Wright, Brian Richcreek, Gary Stuckman and Brett Harter turned in exceptional games. Harter had double duty, offensively. The tight end was used in blocking schemes and pass patterns. He did both extremely well. On the defensive side, Garrett Ponciroli and Josh Lantz played

Still, the Warriors were not intimidated by Warsaw. Wawasee, on the ensuing kickoff, moved 70 yards for the game-winning score. The majority of the work was done on the ground, primarily by Meek. The senior running back netted 33 yards on six consecutive runs before Conkling lofted a 19-yard pass to Harter on third-and-three from Warsaw's 30. The pass play turned out to be one of the biggest plays of the game. With the ball at the Tigers’ 11, Wawasee needed two plays to score. Meek went seven yards on the first carry, then bruised his way into the end zone from four yards out with 2:16 remaining. Warsaw went to its two-minute offense and quickly scored. But Dawson’s PAT was blocked by Foy, giving the Warriors the emotional win. Although weather conditions weren’t exactly ideal for high school football neither team seemed to be affected. Warsaw netted 282 total yards, 108 on the ground and 174 in the air. Wawasee totalled 279 yards, 212 on the ground. Wawasee’s strong ground game was the result of its explosive offensive line. The Warriors repeatedly blew Warsaw off the line, creating large holes of their runners. Rich Freeman was the main reason for the Warriors’ running success in the first half. In the second. the entire line fired off the

exceptionally well. However, this is nothing new for Warrior fans. Ponciroli controlled the line of scrimmage, totaling seven tackles. Lantz accumulated 10 stops in the Warsaw game, including several key defensive plays in the second half.

Mark My Words MARK WEINSTEIN tIT f f }

For the season, Ponciroli has tackled opposing players 39 times, including 16 solo stops. Lantz has 43 tackles, 17 solo’s, 26 assists and four quarterback sacks. Mike Page leads the Warriors in tackles through six games with 48 tackles. Page also has three quarterback sacks. Wawasee’s defense has been the bright spot the past several seasons/ Perhaps the main reason for such success is the philosophy of Wawasee’s coaching staff. Wawasee coaches teach defense because that’s what wins football games. A solid defensive team will be champions, “a good offensive unit, a flash in the pan. Regardless of what happens the rest of the way for the Warriors, the Green and Gold have had a successful season. The conference championship is out the window, but so was the case when Wawasee" roamed to the dome two years ago. □ Former Wawasee basketball and softball player Heidi Brower has made an impact on Vincennes University’s Bowling team. The North Webster resident

ball and created holes. “Rich did an outstanding job for us tonight,” praised Dickerson of his lineman. “In the first half we put him on the side that we were going to run. After a while, Warsaw picked up on that.” Dickerson praised Freeman at intermission, yet inspired the remainder of Wawasee’s lineman to follow suit. They did. Meek was Wawasee’s top ball carrier, gaining 118 yards on ,25 attempts. Garrett Ponciroli added 28 yards on nine attempts. “You have to give Wawasee credit, their line play was the difference,” said Westover. “Their lines beat our lines. That was the game.” Defensively, Wawasee was led by several players. Dan O’Haver registered two solo tackles, five assists and one quarterback sack, while Brad Richards celebrated his birthday with three solo stops and four assists. Ponciroli added one solo tackle and six assists, Foy had a solo tackle, six assists and the gamesavifag block PAT. Mike Page turned in two solo stops and five assists, while Lantz recorded three solo tackles and six assists. Wawasee, riding a two-game winning streak, now stands at 3-3 overall and in the Northern Lakes Conference, and host Fort Wayne Harding Friday evening in its 20th homecoming. Warsaw, with the loss, drops to 1-5 overall, 1-4 in theNLC

recently bowled a 554 series and 203 game in Vincennes’ three game loss to Eastern Illinois. In Vincennes’ match with Indiana State (won by the Sycamores 3-0) Brower rolled a a 535 series and 203 game. Vincennes has a 11-5 record. □ After six weeks of predicting football games, Mark Huffman holds the top spot by two games over Mark Weinstein. Derk Kuhn trails Weinstein by one game and Homer Miller is in fourth position, five games behind the leader. Dale Tobias, our resident guest, is in last place, six games off the pace. All are looking to improve with this week’s selections. Games on tap for this week are Fort Wayne Harding at Wawasee, Goshen at Plymouth, North Wood at Warsaw, Northridge at Concord, Indiana at Ohio State, Michigan at Michigan State, Illinois at Purdue. This week’s tiebreaker is Chicago’s (Care Bears) National Scab Football League game with Minnesota and the score. In case the National Football League resumes play this weekend, each prognosticator selects Chicago, 24-14. The real Bears can’t score points like the Care Bears. MARK HUFFMAN (.725) — Wawasee, Goshen, Warsaw, Concord, Indiana, Michigan, Purdue, Care Bears (27-21) MARK WEINSTEIN (.675) — Wawasee, Goshen, Warsaw, Northridge, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois, Care Bears (38-31) DERK KUHN (.650) — Wawasee, Goshen, Warsaw, Northridge, Indiana, Michigan State, Illinois, Care Bears (65-6) HOMER MILLER (.600) — Wawasee, Goshen, Warsaw, Northridge, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Care Bears (28-10) DALE TOBIAS (.575) — Fort Wayne Harding, Goshen, North Wood, Northridge, Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue, Care Bears (35-9)