The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 37, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 October 1987 — Page 8

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., October 28,1987

Sports

Eagles use big plays to oust Warriors

IBy MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Editor SYRACUSE - In football, unlike other sports, one play can change the complexion of the game. That was the case Friday evening as Blake Fahl returned the opening kickoff to Wawasee’s 23, setting the tone in Columbia City’s 21-7 sectional victory at Wawasee. The play proved invaluable for the Eagles as they enjoyed great field position all evening. “Field position was a definite key in the game,” said Columbia City mentor Ron Frickey. “I have a lot of respect for Wawasee, but it is tough for a high school offense to move 70 or 80 yards on a drive. ” Frickey’s statement, however, held less water as the game progressed. Os the three touchdowns, two were achieved through long distances. Only Columbia City’s initial score came on a short march. The Eagles wasted their first crack at paydirt following Fahl’s ■ 59-yard return. Columbia City moved to the Warriors’ eight yard line, but a Brad Richards in-

R'.i x .• A ' A F, . « - ♦ - * ■*’’* •> JbR * JL ON TARGET — Wawasee’s Chris Conkling fires a third quarter pass during the Warriors’ sectional football game with Columbia City. The Eagles defeated Wawasee, 21-7. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

Hoosiers dreaming of Roses

It’s happening. It happened Saturday for the Indiana Hoosiers. Playing with great emotion and poise, Indiana battled the wintrylike elements and Michigan Wolverines effectively. The battle with mother nature was inevitable, neither team would win. The Hoosiers’ battle with Michigan, meanwhile, was exciting, exactly what Indiana’s homecoming crowd desired. Michigan dominated the line of scrimmage, IU the scoreboard. Indiana 14, Michigan 10. But far more meaningful than how the 15th-ranked Hoosiers topped 20th-ranked Michigan is the Cinderella story the Hoosiers are writing. Indiana hasn’t won a Big Ten championship since 1967, the same year it last beat Michigan. Bill Mallory’s squad moved one game closer to the conference championship and Rose Bowl berth with Saturday’s win. Only lowa, Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue stand in the Hoosiers’ way of the California trip. If history is any indication, Indiana will be traveling to Pasadena for a New Year’s Day celebration. For a Michigan fan, like myself, that’s hard to swallow. I’ve grown up knowing the ways of a winner. Michigan has dominated the Big Ten for longer than I can remember. Actually, the Wolves have won outright, or shared the conference championship in 11 of Bo Schembechler’s 19 years at Michigan. That will certainly change this season. Michigan’s demise was evident on my trip to Bloomington Saturday for the IU-UM game. I just didn’t realize the subtle hints. My first clue to what I was in store for happened just after circling around Indianapolis and moving towards Bloomington on US 37. Along side the heavily graveled highway was a van loaded with beautiful red roses., ° I thought the van had Michigan l : -;ense plates, symbolizing a .Meeechigan victory at IU and

terception foiled the Eagles’ effort. Richards' interception in the end zone was the result of good pressure on quarterback Troy Horn. The chubby signalcaller felt the heat and threw the football unadvisedly. Columbia City, prior to the interception, could have dented the scoreboard. But on fourth down the Eagles opted to sidestep the three-pointer and shoot for six. The swing in momentum proved meaningless for the Warriors. Three consecutive Mike Meek rushes produced little and Chris Solina punted for the Warriors. Solina replaced Wawasee’s Randy Cesco, who failed to practice with the team the week of the game. This time the Eagles capitalized on its scoring threat. Beginning from its 30, Columbia City moved the distance in eight plays. Two Horn-to-Mitch Howell completions set up the Eagles' first score of the night. Joel Dornick. after a 13-yard Horn-to-Howell reception put the ball at the four, swept around the left side for the score. Columbia City extended its lead to 14-0 two plays into the se-

trip to Pasadena on New Year’s Day. I was mistaken. However, I put the thought of a Indiana victory out of my mind until I zipped past Martinsville, a town north of the IU campus. Once again, a van loaded with red roses offered to sell the the flower to any loyal fan. Several Indiana and Michigan fans stopped to purchase roses. IU fans kept their flower after the game, Michigan fans opted for a trade — the rose for a peach. □ Saturday’s showdown in Bloomington was not only a Mark My Words MARK WEINSTEIN TL I* J Ik 1h crucial football game for both teams, but a day when loyalty meant nothing. Competition made friends, even families, enemies for the day. Both teams shared much in common. Both were coming off big victories and needed to win Saturday's game. For Michigan, it was to keep from being eliminated. IU looked to take over first place in the conference. Both head coaches started at Miami (Ohio). Bo Schembechler started in 1963 before taking the Michigan job in 1969. Mallory was Schembechler’s assistant at Miami, then succeeded him in 1969. Mallory coached five years for the Redskins, compiling'a 39-12 mark. SchembecKler had a 40-17-3 record at Miami. Both teams had at least on

cond quarter. Facing a third-and-10 situation at its 20, Horn found Andy Welborn open across the middle. Horn delivered the ball to the speedster in stride, then watched Welborn race 80 yards for the score. N Although Wawasee trailed by just two touchdowns, it looked bad for the hosts. The Warriors’ strength has been defense, not offense during the 1987 season. But Wawasee’s offense woke up in the third period. After trading punts, quarterback Chris Conkling directed the Warriors on a seven play, 66-yard scoring drive. Conkling and Brett Harter were key players in the drive, teaming for two pass completions, including theTD. After a holding penalty backed the Warriors to their 28, Conkling hit Harter for 31 yards, a first down at Columbia City’s 40. A pair of option plays recorded another Wawasee first down before Conkling found Harter in the end zone. On the scoring play, Harter faked the Columbia City defender inside and headed towards the left corner of the end zone. Conkling, who's developed into a quality quarterback, lofted the pigskin

Mallory on their sideline. Bill Mallory, obviously, is in his fourth season at Indiana. His oldest son, Mike, serves as a graduate assistant with the Hoosiers. Meanwhile, Doug Mallory is a senior defensive back for the Wolverines. Mike Mallory was also a standout at Michigan, playing from 1982-1985. Both teams had one Moeller on their sideline. Gary Moeller serves as Michigan’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. Moeller’s son, Andy, an All-Big Ten and All-American (honorable mention) linebacker at Michigan last year, now serves as a graduate assistant under Mallory at Indiana. All of the integrated participants had mixed emotions before kick off. That’s to be expected But once the game started, family ties were broken and it was business as usual. Winning is the bottom line in college football, regardless of circumstances surrounding the game. □ Games on tap this week include Goshen at Culver Military, Plymouth at North Wood, Bremen at Triton, Fort Wayne Dwenger at Tippecanoe Valley, MadisonGrant at Rochester, Indiana at lowa, Wisconsin at Purdue, Michigan State at Ohio State MARK HUFFMAN (.719) — Goshen, North Wood, Bremen, TVHS, Rochester, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan State DERK KUHN (.672) — CMA, North Wood, Bremen, TVHS, Rochester, lowa, Purdue, Ohio State DALE TOBIAS (.656) — Goshen, North Wood, Bremen, TVHS, Rochester, Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State MARK WEINSTEIN (.641) — Goshen, North Wood, Bremen, Madison-Grant, lowa, Purdue, Ohio State HOMER MILLER (.594) — CMA, North Wood, Bremen, TVHS, Rochester, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio State

perfectly over the defender and into Harter’s arms. It, was Wawasee’s last celebration of the season. The Eagles added a fourth quarter score, sealing their victory and Wawasee’s fate. Offensively, Conkling led the Warriors with 16-for-33 passing efficiency for 206 yards. Wawasee gained 301 in total offense. Conking drew high praise from the Wawasee mentor after the game. Harter and Kenny Wright were his favorite targets, collecting 12 passes between them. -Harter snagged five for 77 yards, while Wright caught seven for no yards. “I knew fright could catch the ball, I was not surprised with his performance,” said Wawasee head coach Myron Dickerson. "Harter is a good athlete, this was his first year in football. I’m sure he set some school records for pass receptions and yards gained for a season. ” Meanwhile, defensive standouts included Mike Page and Garrett Ponciroli. Page collected five solo tackles and nine assists, while Ponciroli had three solo stops and nine assists. Mike Foy added two solo and seven assists, while Gary Stuckman had three solos and

Turnovers aid

HAMMOND - North Wood’s defense forced, seven Hammond Clark turnovers Friday and the Panthers made the most of the opportunities to breeze past the hosts 31-0. The win improved North Wood’s record to 6-3 and sets up a rematch with Plymouth Friday evening. The Rockies routed Calumet in a Class 3A, Sectional 17 contest, 36-0. In other sectional 17 games, New Prairie topped Northern Lakes Conference member Northridge 14-7, while Hammond Gavit edged Benton Central, 7-0. Former Wawasee assistant coach Rob Hanson is in his rookie season as Hammond Gavit’s head coach. The Panthers put the game out of reach early, scoring 15 first period points. After Shaun Kern rambled six yards into the end zone for the first points of the game, Doug Schrock hit Rod Croy on North Wood’s two-point conversion attempt. Moments later, Croy picked up a lose football at Hammond’s nine-yard line and slipped into the end zone. Phil Jenkins added the extra point for a 15-0 Nor- ' thWoodedge North Wood put another score on the board just before halftime. The Panthers put together a sustained drive, capped by Rob Vance’s six-yard TD run late in the frame. Kern added a third period score, moving 68-yards for the score. Jenkins capped North Wood’s scoring with a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Kern paced North Wood’s offend sive attack with 120 yards rushing on 17 carries. Matt Hockett anchored the Panthers’ defense, collecting 12 tackles and one interception. ELKHART CENTRAL 63. WARSAW 14 — Ninth-ranked Elkhart Central utilized its team speed Friday to run past host Warsaw 63-14 in a Class 5A sectional game. The contest, from the outset, appeared to be a tight contest.

; --I E-izs** B* S DESPERATION — Chris Conkling completes a fourth quarter pass to Brad Richards in sectional action with Columbia City. Wawasee ran out of time as the Eagles scored a 21-7 victory. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

seven assists and Josh Lantz recorded three solo stops and seven assists. “I am pleased with the way the team played this season. I am proud of the way the kids represented themselves and the school,” praised Dickerson of his team. “After the first couple of weeks they had the chance to fold but they came back and played good football.” " Columbia City’s win improves the Eagles’ mark to 7-2 and advances them into Friday’s sectional semifinal against East Noble. The Warriors conclude play with a 4-5 mark. Eagles Fly CC WHS First Downs 14 17 Rushing Yards 135 96 Passing Yards 165 204 Passes 10 21 1 16 31 1 Offensive Plays 55 59 Punts 5 39 8 5 28 2 Fumbles Lost 2 1 2 1 Penalties 9 105 3 20 Score By Quarters Columbia City 77 0 7— 21 Wawasee 0 0 , 7 0 —7 Scoring First Quarter — Joel Dornick (CC) 5 yard run, Troy Wilcoxson, 3:09 Second Quarter — Andy Welborn (CO 74 pass from Troy Horn, Wilcoxson kick, 11:42. Third Quarter — Brett Harter (W) 10 yard pass from Chris Conkling, Bruce Jackson kick, 15. Fourth Quarter — Bart Cook (CC) yards run, Wilcoxson kick, 7:38.

The Tigers took a 14-7 lead into the second period, but the Blue Blazers dominated from there. Paul Wiley put Warsaw on the board first, hitting Dave Kirkpatrick on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 3:12 remaining. Jeff Kollat evened the score two minutes later before Wiley struck again. Around the NLC With time running out in the opening period, Wiley went to the homerun bomb from his 48 on the final play of the period. The effort proved beneficial as Kelly Frank caught the pigskin for the score. But that was all the offense Warsaw could manage in the game as Elkhart Central dominated the contest. Wiley finished the evening by completing 12 of 30 passes for 172 yards. He finished the season completing 131 of 266 for 1,673 yards. He was forced out of the game late in the second quarter with a wrist injury. The 63 points allowed by the Tigers were the third most allowed by a Warsaw team. Only the 1925 Tigers, which gave up 108 points, and the 1937 unit, which surrendered 66, allowed more points in a single game. Warsaw ends the season at 1-8, while the Blue Blazers improve to 7-2. Elkhart Central faces Fort Wayne Snider Friday. COLUMBIA CITY 21 , WAWASEE 7— Columbia City gained 291 yards, 162 through the air, as the Eagles flew past Wawasee 21-7 in sectional action at Wawasee Friday. The visitors scored touchdowns in the first two periods to take a comfortable 14-0 lead into the lockerroom at halftime. But the Warriors made the Eagles squirm in the second half, scoring

1 -Gt -J •J. ■ >1 f "A H r • ’ -v „ A. » J. Vj* \ r '' •*'" V " — . . •••. •'■ v • ...■ w •— •• MOVING UP — Jennifer Titus moves up on the pack during a cross country match at Goshen. The Wawasee junior finished 18th in 17:02. The Warriors finished seventh in team competition. < Photo by Mark Weinstein)

North Wood shutout

a third periodTD. Joel Dornick gave Columbia City the lead with 3:09 remaining in the opening period. The Eagles’ back slipped through defense with little trouble for the score. Columbia City then sealed its verdict in the second stanza when quarterback Troy Horn connected with Andy Welborn on a 74-yard TD strike. Troy Wilcoxson added both extra points for the Eagles for a 14-0 lead. Wawasee came back in the third period, putting together an effective scoring drive. Chris Conkling capped the sustained march with a 10-yard aerial to Brett Harter in the left corner of the end zone.

Guimond's record leads Wawasee

HUNTINGTON - Wawasee’s girls' swim team had little trouble in picking up its ninth win of the season, whipping host Huntington North 94-78 Thursday. Cyndi Guimond led Wawasee’s attack with a school record performance in the 100-yard breaststroke. Guimond finished in 1:13.9 and Stef Berkey finished second. Guimond added another first place, winning the 200 individual medley. She was the lone double winner for the Warriors. Wawasee’s Danielle Iwankowitsch, Guimond, Lori Boles and Sherry Payne started the meet with a 2:02.3 swim in the 200 medley relay and first place. After Guimond claimed the 200 IM crown, Payne won the 50 freestyle with a :27.4 time. Deb-

Plymouth wins Elkhart Regional Titus 17th in sectional

GOSHEN — Sixth-ranked Plymouth captured its second consecutive Elkhart Regional

But that was as close as Wawasee came to Columbia City. The Eagles added a tounii period score, securing a berth at East Noble Friday evening. The Warriors drop to 4-5 on the season as Columbia City climbs to 7-2. GOSHEN 26, HOMESTEAD 7 — Goshen needed a strong second half effort Friday to slip past Homestead, 26-7, in sectional action. The Redskins, although trailing only in the first quarter, took complete control of the game in the second half. Goshen moved its 9-7 halftime lead to 19-7 after three as Nick Rudolph caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Rick Mirer.

bie Bickel was third in the event. Iwankowitsch and Bickel went one-two in the 100 butterfly, creating a little breathing room for the Warriors. Iwankowitsch’s winning time was 1:10.6. The Warriors sealed the victory in the final event, 400 freestyle relay. Dawn Firestone, who earlier finished second in diving, Sirena Bartow, Bickel and Berkey breezed to the victory. Wawasee’s foursome finished in 4:24.5. Wawasee 94 — Huntington North 78 200 medley relay: Wawasee (Danielle Iwankowitsch, Cyndi Guimond, Lori Boles, Sherry Payne); Huntington; Huntington; 2:02.3 200 yd. treestyle: Tena Tate (H); Pam Pittinger (H); Sirena Bartow (W); 2:02.9 200 yd. individual medley: Guimond

boys cross country championship Saturday by edging llth-ranked Westview 40-66 at Ox Bow Park The four top teams qualified for this weekend’s Manchester semistate. Joining Plymouth and Westview at the event will be Northern Lakes Conference members North Wood and Wawasee. The Panthers edged Wawasee, 113-114. East Noble was fifth at 117 and failed to advance as a team. The Pilgrims placed three runners in the top 10, led by defending champion Pete Bieghler. Plymouth’s top runner finished in J6:29, eight seconds ahead of teammate Glenn Weidner. Plymouth’s third runner in the top 10 was Troy Amor, who finished in 16:49. Wawasee’s best performer was Steve Eastman, who crossed the finish line in 17:01. Jason Douglas finished competition with a 17:05 time, while Jeff Carey was at 17:10. In girls’ cross country action, Elkhart Central edged crosstown rival, Memorial in winning the Elkhart Sectional. The Blue Blazers won with a 50 tally, while the Chargers finished at 51. Angola placed third at 53 with Goshen fourth with a 167 score. Other NLC teams placing were North Wood, fifth, 170; Plymouth, sixth, 179; Wawasee, seventh, 199; Northridge, ninth, 232; Concord, 10th, 247; and Bremen, 11th, 261.

Erik Gouker added a 28-yard field goal just before the close of tlic quarter for the t’-pmnf advantage. Mirer sealed the victory when he found Jim Bechler open on a 27-yard touchdown pass. Gouker added the point after for the closing margin. The Redskins, 8-1, travel to Culver on Friday for a contest with Culver Military Academy. The contest will be played at Culver Community High School because CMA doesn’t have a lighted football field. The winner of the Goshen-CMA will face the winner from the East Noble-Columbia City contest. East Noble is the only team to defeat Goshen this season.

(W); Amy Cozad (H); Jenny Double (H); 2:31.1 50 yd. freestyle: Payne (W); Jackie Blomeke (H); Debbie Bickel (W); :27.4 . One meter diving: Linda Keagan (H); Dawn Firestone (W); Missy Campbell (H); 210.5 100 yd. butterfly: Iwankowitsch (W); Bickel (W); Cozad (H); 1:10.6 100 yd. freestyle: Tate (H); Boles (W); Payne (W); .56.2 500 yd. freestyle: Pittinger (H); Bartow (W); Angie Kelsey (H); 5:46.8 100 yd. backstroke: Double (H); Iwankowitsch (W); Tonya Per zanowski (W); 1:09.0 100 yd. breaststroke: Guimond (W); Berkey (W); Blomeke (H); 1:13.9 (school record) 400 yd. freestyle relay: Wawasee (Firestone, Bartow, Bickel, Berkey); Huntington; Wawasee; 4.24.5 Individual best times: Cyndi Gul mond — 100 yd. breaststroke (1:13.9 — school record)

Jennifer Titus was the Warriors’ quickest runner, finishing in 17:02. Titus was the lone Warriorplacing in the top 25. Anne Esteves, Elkhart Central, won the race in 15:41. Angola’s Lisa Berry was second at 15:46, and Central’s Jennifer Stephenson was third at ft: 52. Renita Graber was the Northern Lakes Conference’s top runner, finishing seventh at 16:22. No other NLC performer cracked the top 10. Dernier a free agent CLEVELAND — Outfielder Brett Butler and relief pitcher Ed Vande Berg, both of the Cleveland Indians, and outfielder/first baseman Lee Mazzilli, of the New York Mets, filed for free agency Tuesday, bring-/ ing the number of free agent \ players to 15. Players in their final year of thbjr/cpntract can file for free agency the day following the conclusion of the season. Players have until November 9 to file. New York Yankees’ Dave Righetti was the first to file for free agancy. Other players filing for free agency include Chicago Cubs’ Bob Dernier, John Candelaria, New York Mets; Terry Harper, Pittsburgh Pirates; and Dave Henderson, San Francisco Giants.