SYRACUSE – Friday night at Warrior Field was the location for the first gridiron showdown between West Noble and Wawasee since 1973 and while the bad weather missed the game, the Chargers still got a heavy helping of Wawasee’s reign.

The Warriors celebrated the 41-year reunion by scoring a point for every year they have missed out on playing the Chargers, and then some. High-powered offense and impenetrable defense led the Green and Gold to a 48-6 victory.

“It was a great team effort,” began Wawasee head coach Josh Ekovich. “That seems obvious to say, but it’s the truth. This was just a great team effort tonight.”

Ekovich’s team wasted no time with getting on the board. After Mylon Betts returned the opening kick into Charger territory, Gage Reinhard constructed a scoring drive that ended on a three-yard quarterback keeper to give the Warriors a 6-0 lead just over two minutes into the game.

Cameron Krizman halted the Chargers opening drive by batting down a Waylon Richardson pass on fourth down. Reinhard went back to work on offense connecting with Clayton Cook for a 76-yard touchdown pass with two minutes to spare in the opening quarter.

Reinhard and Cook picked up right where they left off in 2013. The duo connected six times for two scores, the second being a five-yard completion in the second quarter. Reinhard finished his night going 14-21 for 226 yards and three scores through the air while adding two scores on the ground.

When the Warrior offense was not on the field, there was more than enough to cheer about thanks to the bruisers on the defensive side of the ball. The Wawasee defense forced three turnovers against West Noble, two interceptions and a fumble recovery as well as tallying two sacks. Austin Rhodes earned both sacks for Wawasee while Nic Wilson and Sam Clark both had an interception.

Clark’s pick came at the beginning of the second half and the junior made the most of his opportunity, taking the turnover 65-yards to the end zone putting Wawasee up 34-0. Clark again visited the end zone two minutes later on the receiving end of Reinhard’s third throwing score, giving the Warriors a 41-0 advantage.

Cook showed his versatility, not that West Noble needed a reminder, midway through the third as he lined up at quarterback and took off for a 45-yard touchdown run. Cook finished his night with 135 receiving yards, 45 yards on the ground and three total scores.

The Chargers finally found the end zone late in the fourth quarter when Richardson connected with Bradley Martin for a score. Wawasee’s Cole Van Lue blocked the Chargers extra-point attempt.

The win over West Noble hopefully has Wawasee (2-0) loosened up enough for its big game next weekend. Former Wawasee head coach Tom Wogomon will return to Syracuse for the first time since taking the head coaching position at Northridge (2-0) in a battle of Northern Lakes Conference heavyweights.

“It will be a completely different ball game compared to this week,” Ekovich said of his upcoming contest. “Northridge has a very good defense. They are quick and have depth. We will need to bring our best game.”

Ekovich said there are a few things planned for Wogomon’s return and that he hopes it is a good homecoming for the coach but a better one for Wawasee. The Raiders and Warriors will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. at Warrior Field and will be featured as the WHME TV 46 “Game of the Week.”