1	2	3	4	F
	Warsaw Tigers (1-6)(1-4 NLC)	0	0	7	0	7
	Wawasee Warriors	7	3	3	13	26

The Warsaw Tigers game at the Wawasee Warriors had an added incentive Friday night as the contest between the two county rivals celebrated the 25th year of the traveling "W" Trophy. The game is one of the best rivalries in Indiana High School football.

The Warsaw Tigers rode into Syracuse coming off their best performance of the season with a huge win over Goshen at last week's homecoming game. The Tigers were also riding a three game winning streak regarding the "W" trophy.

However, it was evident early on in the contest that the Warriors behind QB Tyler Hare and RB Trevor McKibben, would be more than a formidable opponent for the Tigers.

From the opening kickoff, to the last second of the game, it was Wawasee in all three phases of the football game. The Warrior offense, defense, and special teams were in sync and in control all evening. Though the Tigers kept it close for three quarters Wawasee secured the "W" trophy with a 26-7 win over the Tigers.

A Tyler Hare run for a 1 yard touchdown followed by a 33 yard field goal from Kyle Clevenger made the score 10-0 at the half. During the first half, the Tiger offense was stymied by a stingy, gang-tackling Warrior defense. First downs were limited for the Tigers as Jeremy Coppus, Zach Rooney, and Tyler Adams were held in check.

As the second half began, it was more of the same as the Warriors took the second half kickoff deep into Tiger territory when the defensive unit held on a 3rd and short, led by Keegan Bruner, Clay Anderson, and Cameron Fritzel. The Warriors settled by another field goal from Kyle Clevenger.

The ensuing kickoff saw the Tigers come to life with a couple of key catches by senior, Keelan Simpson, and mixed in with two big runs by senior Tyler Adams. However the Warrior defense held. On the next possession, on what appeared to be a long first down run by Warrior QB Tyler Hare, the ball was jarred loose by a host of Tiger tacklers. Junior free safety, Brock Anson came up with the recovery at the Warrior 27 where the Tiger offense took over. After a couple of nice runs by Zach Rooney and Tyler Adams, quarterback Jeremy Coppus ran a 1 yard sneak to cut the Warrior lead to 13-7.

As the game moved into the fourth quarter it was too much Warrior ground game in the end. A 9 yard touchdown run by Hare followed by a 35 yard scamper from McKibben capped the scoring for the night and snuffed out all Tiger hopes of a comeback.

Statistical leaders include Tyler Adams with a solid rushing performance of 10 carries for 64 yards, Zach Rooney 10 carries for 42 yards, and Jeremy Coppus 12 carries for 26 yards and a touchdown. Keelan Simpson led the Tiger receivers with 3 catches for 36 yards.

Defensively, linebackers Clay Anderson and Cameron Fritzel led the way with 9.5 tackles and 9 tackles respectively. Brock Anson had 6 tackles while Keegan Bruner chipped in with 4.5 and 2 tackles for loss.

The 1-6 Tigers (1-4 NLC) are once again on the road next week traveling to Andrews Field to face the Northwood Panthers. This shapes up to be an interesting match up. Both teams have played hard and this should be an evenly matched game. See you in Napanee next week. Be loud, be proud. Go Tigers!

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Football

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