Of all the games a football team plays during a season, the homecoming game is one that stands out in every player’s mind.
On a beautiful Friday night, the Winner Warriors made those memories as they defeated the Chamberlain Cubs 36-13.
After Warrior Ty Bolton and princess Macie Ferwerda lit the olympic torch that burned though the game, the Warriors got down to business.
Winner played an excellent first half scoring 8 points in the first quarter and adding 20 more in the second quarter.
The Warriors opened the game with a nice drive capped off by Matt Smither’s 7-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion by Riley Calhoon was good and Winner was up 8-0.
Three touchdowns in the second quarter gave winner a 28-7 lead at the half.
Calhoon scored on a 19 yard run, Trevor Peters scored on a 4 yard run and right before the half Smither scored his second TD on a 1-yard plunge.
“We played a good first half as we moved the ball and got ourselves in good situations,” said coach Dan Aaker.
“The one breakdown was the Cubs kickoff return that put Chamberlain in good field position. The Warriors were hoping to hold off the Cubs but they punched the ball in for a score.
However, Winner came right back with a touchdown. “That was a nice drive that ate up the clock and we were able to score right before the half,” explained the coach.
Both teams were scoreless in the third quarter. Aaker noted sometimes it seems the teams looses focus at times. “On two of our drives we did not stay on schedule and had a mental breakdown.”
The Warrior ended up giving Chamberlain another scored in the fourth quarter as Isaac Hawk scored on a 5 yard run.
With 5:36 left in the game, Winner responded with its final touchdown as quarterback Carter Brickman scored on a 1-yard keeper.
The Warriors had 375 yards of total offense with 327 of those yards coming via the rush.
In passing, Brickman was 4-5 for 48 yards.
The offense was led by Phillip Jorgensen with 105 yards followed by Calhoon with 71 yards, Peters, 60 yards and Matt Smither with 55 yards.
Leading tacklers were Calhoon with 7, Levi McClanahan with 5, Shea Connot, 4; Ty Bolton and Matt Smither with 3 each.
Aaker said one of the keys of this game is that the team must maintain its focus for 48 minutes. “At times we lost our focus and that cannot happen as the games get bigger. I know our guys know that,” said Aaker.
The Warriors will host Wagner on Friday night and this will be senior night.
Aaker says Wagner is a team similar to Chamberlain.
“Offensively we have to move the ball. This is a big week for us and we need to focus and play a consistent game.”
There are only two games left in the regular season. This Friday is the final home game before the playoffs and then on Oct. 13 the Warriors travel to Wessington Springs-Woonsocket.
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