Bragging Rights On The Line
![Wawasee defensive back Kurtis Liston will be among those tested by the Warsaw passing attack Friday night in Syracuse (File photo by Wawasee defensive back Kurtis Liston will be among those tested by the Warsaw passing attack Friday night in Syracuse (File photo by Nick Goralczyk)[/caption]
It's rivalry week.
With absolutely none being any bigger come Friday night for area prep football teams than the showdown in Syracuse.
WARSAW AT WAWASEE.
The tussle for bragging rights for another year in Koscisuko County will be decided by about 10 p.m. Friday evening.
The other big contest between rivals will happen down Akron way as Tippecanoe Valley hosts league foe Rochester for the Bell trophy.
Whitko hosts winless North Miami with the Wildcats going for their fifth straight win.
Triton will venture up US 31 to Lakeville to face LaVille as the Trojans try to snap a five-game losing skid.
Here is a look at the local docket for Friday night.
<strong>Warsaw (4-2, 3-1) at Wawasee (3-3, 1-3), 7:30 p.m.</strong></p>
<p>The W trophy is on the line in this annual tussle of neighbors.</p>
<p>Warsaw edged the Warriors 14-13 a year ago to snap a three-game Wawasee win streak in the series. The Tigers lead the all-time series 28-16-1, including 17-11 since the first game for the W trophy back in 1986.</p>
<p>Warsaw comes in riding high with three straight wins. The Tigers, who still must face NorthWood and Concord in NLC play, sit at 3-1 in the league. Wawasee is just 1-3 in the conference after a 32-7 loss at Plymouth last week.</p>
<p>“This is always a big one,” said Warsaw coach Phil Jensen. “It’s everything that is great about high school football. Two rivals playing for a trophy and I expect another great game.”</p>
<p>The Warriors will be ready to go at home for sure.</p>
<p>“It’s for bragging rights in the county and it’s been a tight game,” said Wawasee coach Josh Ekovich. “Our kids are excited and upbeat. It’s Warsaw week. Our goal every year is to get the W trophy.”</p>
<p>Warsaw has rode its passing game, stellar defense and a great kicking game. Jake Mangas has thrown for 1,259 yards, including 508 the last two weeks, for Warsaw. Riley Rhoades has 32 catches on the season, including 14 the past two games.</p>
<p>“It gets tougher every week in the NLC and we are trying to take care of us and get better,” Jensen said. “We need to stay with what has worked for us, control what we can control and play one play at a time and then move on.”</p>
<p>The Warriors are led by quarterback Gage Reinhard and star receiver Clayton Cook, who has committed to Ball State.</p>
<p>“Warsaw is pretty good with that basketball on grass offense,” Ekovich said. “We have to match up with them. We have not seen a passing team since West Noble (in week two). We have to take advantage of the opportunities when we have them Friday night.”</p>
<p><strong>Rochester (5-1, 4-0) at Tippecanoe Valley (1-5, 1-3), 7 p.m.</strong></p>
<p>The Vikings would love nothing more than to knock Rochester out of first place in the league standings.</p>
<p>“For us, this is a big opportunity,” said Valley coach Scott Bibler. “Our kids want to keep the Bell.”</p>
<p>Valley is coming off its first win of the season, a 31-20 victory at Wabash that was much needed.</p>
<p>“The win was good for all of us,” said Bibler. “We had a better effort for four quarters. Our offensive line got after it last week and our secondary played well.”</p>
<p>“Rochester is very solid. They do the same thing they have done for years. We have to focus mentally and play hard. Our kids should be more confident now and can turn it loose and just play the game.”</p>
<p>The Zebras, who shared the TRC title with Whitko last year, have just a 38-35 loss to undefeated Plymouth as its lone blemish this season.</p>
<p>Valley defeated Rochester 42-31 last season.</p>
<p><strong>North Miami (0-6, 0-4) at Whitko (4-2, 4-0), 7 p.m.</strong></p>
<p>The Wildcats have been on a roll in soaring to the top of the league.</p>
<p>Whitko has outscored its TRC foes 106-38 in this four-game win streak in conference play.</p>
<p>“The kids are gaining confidence each week, but are remaining humble and unsatisfied,” said Whitko coach Josh Mohr. “They know there are areas that need improvement, I am very proud of their mindset.”</p>
<p>North Miami has lost its last 12 games.</p>
<p>“North Miami is a good team, their record does not indicate how good they are,” noted Mohr. “They have had several close games this year and are hungry. They play hard from start to finish. We have to set the tone for the game early with intensity and focus. I want to see us play with high energy and high intensity for 48 minutes this Friday.”</p>
<p>Whitko has used its trademark run game to roll. Tanner Hughes has led the way in the rushing attack, along with quarterback Garrett Elder.</p>
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“Our offensive line has led the way the entire year,” Mohr said. “Without those guys winning the battles in the trenches the running game doesn’t go. All of us are very appreciative of the effort and fight the guys up front have given.
We emphasize a team effort all the way around. No matter their role, no matter how big or how small, it takes us working together, in all phases, to achieve our goals.”
Whitko beat North Miami 49-35 a year ago.
Triton (1-5, 0-4) at LaVille (4-2, 2-2), 7 p.m.
The Trojans are making improvements.
Will it be enough to get win number two Friday night?
“We have played a lot harder the last three weeks and have made great strides there,” said Triton coach John Johns. “There’s been improvement. Last year at this time we had like 780 yards of offense. Right now, we are at about 1,300.”
“We just need to shut down LaVille’s run game and sustain drives this week. LaVille will be a challenge. They are pretty solid. A ball control team that is similar to New Prairie in some ways.”
Triton lost to LaVille 31-12 a year ago.