Second Half Surge Propels Barons Over Warriors
By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE – DeKalb found its rhythm in the second to overwhelm Wawasee, 42-14, in the Class 4-A Sectional 19 opener Friday night at Warrior Field.
After an extremely sloppy first half for both sides, which the teams combined for eight turnovers in the first 24 minutes, DeKalb scored on all five of its second half possessions in an impressive turn of events for the Barons.
Donnie Wiley played a huge part in DeKalb’s surge, catching a 10-yard touchdown on DeKalb’s first possession of the second half, then later scoring on a 23-yard pitch and catch from Tegan Irk. Derek Overbay added touchdown catches of five and four yards, and the rout was on.
Caiden Hinkle added a five-yard score in mop up time for the Barons (2-8), which will head to Leo (10-0) next week, the Lions escaping Kendallville with a 32-29 thriller over East Noble.
The first half was a myriad of miscues for both sides, but turnovers helped both teams into the endzone. Following a Brandon Kelly interception midway through the first quarter, Wawasee had the ball in DeKalb territory. A pair of first down runs by Lucas Ringler and Nathan Larson got Wawasee into the red zone, and then Kelly rumbled to the DeKalb six. Ringler then finished off the drive with a six-yard scamper to the corner and a 7-0 Wawasee lead.
That would precede five consecutive turnovers, DeKalb fumbling the ensuing kickoff, only for Wawasee to throw an interception. After DeKalb marched all the way down to the Wawasee two, Aidan Monds stuffed Irk on fourth and goal for a six-yard loss. DeKalb would get on the board after the Barons blocked Wawasee’s next punt and fell on it for a touchdown to tie the game.
The Barons later blocked a Wawasee 48-yard field goal attempt late in the second quarter to keep the game tied going into the half.
Irk finished his night with 234 yards in the air on 13-19 passing, finishing with the four touchdown passes, and added 67 yards on the ground. Mitch Snyder had 84 yards rushing to lead the Barons. Overbay had six total catches for 110 yards and Wiley finished with four catches for 72 yards.
In total, DeKalb outgained Wawasee 413-78, Wawasee just 1-9 throwing the ball on the night. After a hot first quarter, Ringler and Kelly were rendered almost silent the remainder of the night, with just 82 combined yards between the two.
The loss for Wawasee sends the team into the offseason with a 1-9 mark, its lone win over Plymouth.