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Published: August 28, 2008 11:01 am
Concord ignites title push
By GREG KEIM
greg.keim@goshennews.com
The quest for a “three-peat” by the Concord Minutemen in the Northern Lakes Conference high school football race begins Friday night at Elkhart Memorial.
“We have been telling our kids that we have a target on our backs as defending conference champion,” Concord coach Tim Dawson said.
NorthWood captured four straight NLC titles from 1993-96. Goshen (1987-89) and Plymouth (1975-77 and 1966-68) won three consecutive.
Following are capsule previews of area games:
Concord (1-0) at Memorial (1-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Series record: Concord 9-5
Last year: Concord 33-28
Five-eleven (180) senior Casey Clark and 5-8 (165) junior LaRone Smith both scored two touchdowns as the Minutemen defeated East Noble 49-25 in Week 1.
“We were very pleased. Our offense and defense are both ahead of where we were last year at this point,” Concord coach Tim Dawson said. “We ran the ball (163 yards), had a special team TD (94-yard kickoff return by 6-2, 170, junior Garret Peterson) and we played some good defense.”
Memorial was a 35-28 winner over city rival Central as 5-10 (154) junior Zach Corpe scored three touchdowns.
“Watching Memorial on film you can see they are a lot better,” Dawson said. “Corpe showed he is a player we have to contend with. Jeremy Mack (5-9, 170, senior) is another good back.
“I was impressed with Memorial’s fortitude. Central jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but Memorial was back on top by halftime.”
David Yoder, 6-3 (185) senior quarterback, paced Concord’s offense by completing 16 of 23 passes for 228 yards. He tossed one TD to 5-7 (180) senior Ja Vontae Hence and had one interception.
“Yoder has matured,” Dawson said. “He distributed the ball well. It’s no secret we want to get the ball to Hence, but we need to use our other receivers as well.
“Yoder’s interception came when he was trying to force the ball to Hence. All quarterbacks are going to make mistakes. I see mistakes on Sunday afternoon all the time. The key is how you respond. Yoder did not get frustrated. He just turned the page.
“The offensive line was great. Yoder had a few hurries, but was never sacked.”
Linemen, 6-2 (250) junior Adam Cantwell and 6-3 (285) classmate Nick Meadows were injured in the East Noble game.
“Neither one is believed to be serious enough to keep them out of this week’s game,” Dawson said.
Northridge (1-0) at East Noble (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Series record: East Noble 8-1
Last year: East Noble 35-0
The Northridge Raiders trimmed South Bend Riley 36-8 last Friday for the program’s third consecutive season-opening victory. The Raiders topped Riley 19-16 in overtime a year ago and socked DeKalb 42-18 in 2006.
“We played good last week,” Northridge coach Jonathan Kirkton said. “Our defense forced a lot of turnovers (five fumbles and two interceptions). We had a lot of short fields and we scored every time we were inside the 20.”
Andrew Hooley, 6-1 (185) junior, guided the Raiders to victory in his first varsity start at quarterback. He was 7 of 13 passing for 111 yards, including a 22-yard TD strike to 6-2 (175) junior Justin Yoder.
“It took Hooley about a half to adjust, but he looked good,” Kirkton said. “It really helped being able to throw the ball, because Riley’s defense was aimed at stopping our running game.”
Scot Troyer, 5-9 (205) senior, paced the Raider ground attack with 82 yards on 15 carries.
“East Noble is a big and physical team. It will be a different game than Riley,” Kirkton said. “It’s a big game for us and a good measuring stick before we start our NLC games.”
Reece Farnham, 5-8 (180) senior, was a little banged up in the Riley game and 5-9 (185) senior) Drew Graber missed the opener due to a back injury. Both are expected to play according to Kirkton.
NorthWood (1-0) at Culver Military (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Series record: NorthWood 11-3
Last year: NorthWood 20-13
NorthWood, No. 5-ranked in Class 3A, opened with a 21-7 win over the always tough Jimtown Jimmies while Culver Military dropped a 24-14 decision at Tippecanoe Valley.
“It was nice to get a win at Jimtown. We haven’t done that for awhile,” NorthWood coach Rich Dodson said.
“Playing at CMA has been kind of a struggle for us and I’m not sure why. It might be because it’s a little longer trip than we are used to or the fact that we dress quite away from the field or that at halftime you are under a tent.”
Skyler Titus, 6-3 (215) senior quarterback, completed 9 of 16 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown in the Jimtown contest. He also rushed for 64 yards.
“Culver’s defense will bring some people and we have to be ready for that,” Dodson said. “They like to blitz and try to disrupt your offense.”
Leaders for NorthWood’s defense were 5-10 (160) junior Christian Deimer 13 “hits,” 5-10 (190) junior Tony Miranda 10, Garner eight and 5-11 (208) junior Brock Tuttle seven.
The Jimmies drove 97 yards in 17 plays to score on the opening possession of the NorthWood contest.
“We settled down and played better after that first drive,” Dodson said. “One thing we need to do if we are going to be a good defense is have more three-and-outs. We gave up too many third-down conversions against the Jimmies.”
Fairfield (1-0) at Prairie Heights (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Series record: Fairfield 13-5
Last year: Fairfield 55-7
Fairfield, No. 3-ranked in Class 2A, defeated Central Noble 41-14 last Friday for the Falcons’ 17th consecutive Northeast Corner Conference victory. Churubusco topped the Falcons 35-20 in the final game of the 2005 regular season for the team’s last NECC loss.
Prairie Heights lost to Lakeland 45-7 in Week 1.
“Any time you can start the season with a win it’s good for the kids,” Falcon coach Bob Miller said. “I was happy with our defense. Some of the key questions we had at strong side defensive end and weak side inside linebacker were answered. Dustin Grader (5-9, 198, sophomore) played well at end as did (5-10, 176, senior) Micah Randolph at linebacker.”
The kicking game was another area of concern before the season started, but 5-6 (138) senior Dustin Chowning and 5-11 (158) sophomore Darin Hochstetler handled those chores.
“Kicking was much better than expected,” Miller said. “Chowning was five of six on PATs and he moved the ball around on kickoffs. Hochstetler averaged 38.5 yards per punt.”
Justin Scott, 6-3 (164) junior, was six of 13 passing for 71 yards in his first varsity start, including TDs of six and 56 yards to 5-11 (174) senior Brock Vail.
“Scott is a tall athletic kid who moves well,” Miller said. “We think he will continue to improve.”
Wawasee (0-1) at DeKalb (0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Series record: DeKalb 5-3
Last year: DeKalb 14-0
Both teams are looking for a win this week after Wawasee dropped a 12-7 decision to Whitko and DeKalb a 29-15 one at Mishawaka.
“Whitko was more experienced and ready to go,” Wawasee coach Tom Wogomon said. “We only have seven letterwinners while Whitko had eight seniors per side.
“DeKalb is a good team. They don’t have a lot of numbers, but do have some quality athletes. Last year they were a Power-I team, but showed a shotgun spread type of offense against Mishawaka.”
Jake Sommers, 6-0 (185) junior Wawasee quarterback, connected on 10 of 21 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown to 6-2 (190) senior Jesse McBride last Friday.
Defensive leaders for the Warriors were 6-2 (190) senior Dylan Ringler three tackles and three assists, 5-9 (150) junior Justin Elliot two and six, 6-1 (175) junior Ryan Hoover two and two and 5-9 (150) junior Andy Swain seven assists.
Logan Davidson, 5-10 (160) senior, missed last week with a knee injury and is expected to be out of action again Friday.
“He is a starting free safety and a kid that is sorely missed,” Wogomon said.
Eastside (0-1) at West Noble (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Series record: West Noble 11-9
Last year: Eastside 12-0
The West Noble Chargers lost 20-13 at Angola while Eastside dropped a 37-8 decision to Garrett last Friday.
“We were much improved over the scrimmage,” Charger coach Monte Mawhorter said. “The offensive line looked good and the defense is starting to figure things out.
“We played four freshmen on defense in the second half and they did well. We only allowed one score in the second half. We put (5-9, 170 freshman) Tyler Clark at middle linebacker in the second quarter and he led us with 11 tackles. He was everywhere.”
Jake Rupright, 5-9 (160) sophomore, scored two touchdowns for the Chargers.
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