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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...d4000226516.txt

Now for the real season

City’s Arthur Williams makes a one-arm tackle of Roosevelt’s Brandon Horton during the regular season opener Friday night at Ames Field. James Washington (26) ducks low to join the action. N-D Photo by Scott Allen.
Home Cookin'
By Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor
Published: Sunday, August 22, 2010 5:08 PM CDT
Hey, City beat Roosevelt on Friday! Hooray!

Look, I’m not gonna waste your time with another 500 words telling you why the Wolves need to dump the Panthers from their schedule. I’ve said and written all that needs to be said or written on the subject repeatedly.

It’s a silly game to play and the notion of needing to play this game is an antiquated one and you get nothing out of it. There.

Instead, I want to focus on the following question: What now?

To paraphrase Marsellus Wallace, I’ll tell you what now. Now, it gets real.

See, while City was putzing around with the worst Roosevelt team I’ve seen — and that’s saying something — other Duneland Conference teams were playing in real games.

Merrillville went to Class 5A No. 1 Warren Central. They got smacked, but I guarantee the Pirates got some great film they can spend days studying.

Valparaiso went on the road and pulled out an upset with over Penn. Crown Point beat perennial Class 4A state power Lowell.

Chesterton knocked around a bad South Bend Adams team, but at least the Eagles offered some resistance at some point.

My point is this: Most of the DAC is now DAC-ready. They’ve got a tough game under their belt and are now at or very close to midseason form.

Meanwhile, City, with a new coaching staff and new roster of players, had an unproductive scrimmage with New Prairie and a 49-0 win in which the starters — badly in need of reps — only played a half so as not to further embarrass their opponent.

So, what now? Now City goes on the road to take on Class 4A No. 10 South Bend Washington. That’s a DAC-caliber team, make no mistake about it.

Now, all that said, I did see one or two things I really liked. First, I thought the defense played with a real nasty streak. Granted, they might have got more resistance playing a Pop Warner team, but those boys were out there looking to hit someone.

Coming into the season, with just one starter out of 11 back, that was a real concern. So, Roosevelt or not, it was good to see those guys running around and getting to the ball in a bad mood.

One other thing I really liked is Dustin Rivich. I’m a big believer in the importance of special teams, and City’s definitely got itself a good kicker/punter. Before the game, I watched Rivich do some punting, and he was routinely putting high-arching punts 40 to 45 yards downfield.

That’s doing pretty good work for a high school punter.

His kickoffs were also good, even getting a couple touchbacks and putting several more inside the 5-yard line.

Defense and special teams are two important phases of the game, and at the very least City seems to have willing and capable people in those spots.

But now the real season begins and it would be best if the Wolves just unlearned everything from that Roosevelt game and started fresh. Nothing that helped you win that game will help you beat Washington.

Now the real football starts. I can’t wait.

Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.

[southsiderMMX]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...f6549561255.txt

‘WE HAVE A LOT TO FIX’

Michigan City's Brian Taylor reaches to catch a pass against South Bend Washington on Friday at School Field in South Bend. Photo by Scott Allen
By Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, August 28, 2010 5:08 PM CDT
SOUTH BEND — Following Friday’s game with South Bend Washington, first-year coach Eric Schreiber took some time to challenge his young squad.

Unfortunately, on the field the Wolves weren’t much of a challenge for the Panthers at School Field.

City’s offense looked out of sorts all night long, leading to less than three yards per carry and just seven yards passing. Some mistakes on defense and special teams added made for a 31-7 Washington victory.

“Is that how you want this year to go?” Schreiber said forcefully to his assembled team near an end zone at the downtown South Bend facility.

During the game, City’s offense wasn’t able to get anywhere near either end zone aside from one garbage-time drive, sputtering to a mere 132 yards of total offense against a team that gave up more than 300 yards rushing a week prior in a season-opening loss to South Bend Clay.

“We have a lot to fix,” Schreiber said. “They work very hard in practice and in the offseason, but they just don’t play with any determination or fire.”

A sequence of events in the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game. Washington faced a third-and-13 situation on just its third play of the game, but converted when quarterback Tate Borlik found Collin Skodinski for an 18-yard gain. City had a personal foul after the play, tacking 15 yards on to an already huge play.

The Panthers weren’t quite done converting on third-and-long. Several plays later, on third-and-8, Borlik found Gehrig Dieter for a 32-yard touchdown pass to put the Panthers up 7-0.

City picked up a quick first down on its first offensive possession and then faced second-and-4, but back-to-back delay of game penalties backed the Wolves up and they were forced to punt.

From there, it was all Washington.

Jesus Mercado nailed a 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter and Borlik found Darius Hardin for a 49-yard touchdown pass that saw Hardin run from sideline to sideline before finding room to scamper into the end zone.

With the halftime score 17-0, City needed a score right away in the third quarter and got the ball to start the second half. However, they went three-and-out, which would become a troubling second-half theme.

City didn’t get another first down until junior Joel Hirsch took over for Rodney Washington with 8:39 to play in the game.

Hirsch led the Wolves on a long touchdown drive, culminating in Chris Mansfield’s 1-yard score, and Hirsch had 28 yards rushing on four carries during the possession.

Hirsch’s success running the option coupled with Washington’s obvious struggles may reignite the preseason quarterback battle. Washington completed 2-of-9 passes for 7 yards and lost 12 yards on 10 carries, 20 of which came on the same play. Washington also fumbled three times, losing one.

“We’ll grade the film and do a lot of evaluation,” Schreiber said, noting the same goes for all positions. “We play the best guys.”

Washington added two more touchdowns, one in the third quarter and another in the fourth, taking a 31-0 lead before City finally scored with 1:52 to play.

“We’re trying to become a running football team,” Schreiber said. “But we’ve gotta do it better job getting that attidue that we’re gonna run the football. It’s an attitude thing.”

Schreiber concluded his postgame speech to his players by dealing with the reality of the schedule getting even tougher with Duneland Conference play starting next week at Chesterton.

“It doesn’t get easier next week,” Schreiber said. “Honestly, it’s not even about looking at the opponent right now. It’s about looking at us.”

q

Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.

SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON 31, MICHIGAN CITY 7

Michigan City 0 0 0 7 — 7

South Bend Washington 7 10 7 7 — 31

First Quarter

SBW — Dieter 32 pass from Borlik (Mercado kick), 7:09

Second Quarter

SBW — Mercado 37 field goal, 11:47

SBW — Hardin 49 pass from Borlik (Mercado kick), 3:18

Third Quarter

SBW — Borlik 1 run (Mercado kick), 3:25

Fourth Quarter

SBW — Skodinski 5 run (Mercado kick), 8:56

MC — Mansfield 1 run (Rivich kick), 1:52

SBW MC

First Downs 13 10

Rushes-Yards 21-73 46-125

Passing Yards 161 7

Comp-Att-Int 13-26-0 2-10-1

Fumbles-Lost 2-2 3-1

Punts-Ave 0-0 6-32.3

Penalties-Yards 11-70 8-57

RUSHING — Michigan City (Bell 6-34, Karallas 9-31, Taylor 7-30, Hirsch 4-28, Mansfield 8-13, Catchings 2-1, Washington 10-(minus 12)). South Bend Washington (Skodinski 5-23, Perkins 3-22, Thomas 4-17, Borlik 3-16, Hardin 4-0, Morgan 2-(minus 5)).

PASSING — Michigan City (Washington 2-9-7, Hirsch 0-1-0). South Bend Washington (Borlik 13-26-161).

RECEIVING — Michigan City (Karallas 1-5, Callahan 1-2). South Bend Washington (Skodinski 5-75, Hardin 5-70, Dieter 3-60, Perkins 1-5).

MISSED FIELD GOALS — South Bend Washington, Mercado 103 (short), 80 (short), 65 (short).

[southsiderMMX]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...37989167030.txt

Wolves need to build a rushing game

La Porte’s Emmerson Cooper (5) breaks a big return thanks in part to teammate Tyler Smith (31) leveling an Elkhart defender Friday night at Kiwanis Field in La Porte. N-D Photo by Bob Wellinski.

H.S. Football
By Zack Eldridge
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 5:10 PM CDT
Michigan City football coach Eric Schreiber vowed after last Friday night’s game that his team would be a running team.

In last week’s 31-7 loss at South Bend Washington, the Wolves’ leading rusher was Rasheem Bell, who had 34 yards rushing on six carries.

City had four players with roughly the same rushing totals against the Panthers, but no one had even close to 100 yards on the ground.

The Wolves (1-1) averaged just 2.7 yards per carry last Friday night.

They did try and stick with the running game against South Bend Washington, though, rushing 46 times, compared to only 10 pass attempts.

But it was tough sledding on the ground for City.

In the 49-0 season-opening victory over Gary Roosevelt, the Wolves rushed 22 times for 150 yards (6.8 yards per carry).

City Quarterback tussle back on?

With quarterback Joel Hirsch guiding City on a sustained scoring drive in the fourth quarter last Friday night, the competition for the starting quarterback position between Hirsch and Rodney Washington may be back on.

Hirsch’s progression with running the option in addition to some problems from Washington could raise questions as to who the starting quarterback of the Wolves should be, which was also a topic in the preseason.

Against the Panthers, Washington completed 2-of-9 passes for 7 yards and lost 12 yards on 10 carries. Washington also fumbled three times, losing one.

Meanwhile, Hirsch had 28 yards on the ground on only four attempts during the scoring drive.

Hirsch attempted just one pass last Friday night.

Combined, Hirsch and Washington led the Wolves to 10 first downs, only three fewer than the Panthers.

But South Bend Washington had 154 more passing yards than City.

The Wolves travel to Chesterton this week to face the Trojans, who are 2-0 and beat New Prairie last Friday night 38-0.

Everything clicking for Slicers

An array of areas have worked for La Porte’s football team through the first two games of the season.

Whether it’s the newly-constructed offensive line, a new starting quarterback, running back Nick Latchford, or an aggressive defense.

Those elements have carried the Slicers (2-0) to wins over New Prairie, 27-0, and Elkhart Central, 35-7, to begin the year.

La Porte’s defense has been particularly good, allowing just seven total points through the first two games and holding the Cougars to less than 100 yards of total offense in Week 1.

Last Friday night, the Slicers gave up some big plays against the more spread attack of the Blue Blazers, but limited them to a mere one touchdown.

“Our defense played pretty well, covering it all and holding them to only seven points,” La Porte coach Bob Schellinger said. “Kyle Jeffers played very well, Austin Epple played very well, Taylor James played very well. I can go down the line and a lot of them played very well, and that’s what we need. We’re not big, but right now we’re getting the job done.”

La Porte offense firing on all cylinders

While La Porte’s defense has been reliable, its offense has moved the ball consistently and put a bevy of points on the board.

It is averaging 31 points per game.

The running back Latchford has accounted for most of those points, scoring eight touchdowns after the first two weeks.

Last year, he had 13 touchdowns for the season.

Wide receiver Emmerson Cooper excelled last Friday night, too. He made an impact not only at wide receiver, but as a punt returner as well. He had a nice punt return, helping to change field position and give the Slicers a short field to work with.

He had 48 yards receiving on four catches against Elkhart Central.

He took an end around 51 yards as well, before fumbling, which the Blue Blazers recovered. But other than that miscue, Cooper’s contributions can’t be understated.

“He’s a big-time player, but he’s got to finish big plays,” Schellinger said. “He’s going to make a lot of big plays for us through the course of the year. If we’re going to be successful, we need Emmerson Cooper to make those big plays.”

The quarterback Hartson has also debuted as the varsity starting quarterback with two solid showings.

La Porte hasn’t passed the ball a ton, however, Hartson has done what has been asked of him, and he’s not turning the ball over. He has yet to throw an interception or lose a fumble.

Through two games, he’s completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 273 yards and one touchdown.

La Porte travels to Valparaiso this week to face the Class 5A No. 10 Vikings. Valpo beat Griffith 34-21 last week and is 2-0.

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Joel Hirsch is the starting QB for the Wolves this week. At least for now, Rodney Washington has been benched.

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Chesterton 55 Michigan City 0

[taxthedeer]

Chesterton 55 Michigan City 0

unacceptable

[southsiderMMX]

The offense had a much better game, except for the 5 turnovers killing them. The defense shall not be spoken of.

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school...0b9e563a4d.html

CHESTERTON | It wasn't supposed to be this easy once the schedule reached the Duneland Athletic Conference.

Then again ...

Times No. 6 Chesterton (3-0, 1-0) scored the first nine times it had the ball and steamrolled to a 55-0 rout of Michigan City in Friday's DAC opener.

"Everybody's been doubting (our defense) a little bit, but they're stepping up," Trojan quarterback Jon Watson said. "When you shut out a team, you're doing something right."

While Watson ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns to lead another offensive onslaught (367 yards rushing, 86 passing), the defense has allowed just one score in three games. Josh Spanier had two sacks, and Peter Fouts came up with two of the Trojans' three interceptions, setting up a score with the first and weaving his way 83 yards for a touchdown with the second.

"After the first drive, we had the mindset, bend but don't break," Fouts said. "We've got a lot of seniors who've waited their turn and some young guys who are doing phenomenal. We're communicating really well. It's awesome to be part of a group that's so close-knit."

Watson did most of his damage early, rumbling for 117 yards in the first half.

"If it wasn't for what Nate (Majcher), Sam (Lindquist) and Justin (Jenks) did the last few weeks, I wouldn't have been able to do that," Watson said. "I've got to give it up to the line once again. Nobody can stop us when we're getting that kind of push."

Lindquist added TD runs of 29 and 52 yards in a 28-point third quarter.

"We continue to get a lot of people involved," Chesterton coach John Snyder said. "They were taking the fullback away; Jon was reading pull, and they couldn't get anybody to the quarterback. He's making good decisions, which an option quarterback has to make, and he's getting more and more comfortable in the passing game."

City (1-2, 0-1), which actually accumulated 22 first downs, went to Joel Hirsch at quarterback, moving Rodney Washington to receiver, but switched back in the second half.

"They threw a number of things at us that we didn't prepare for as much," Snyder said. "We made some big plays, and we were able to score and extend the lead, which forced them out of (the wishbone). One of the things about winning, it gives a team confidence."