The Winamac Warriors are off to a fantastic start in the Midwest Conference, showcasing their dominance with a convincing 41-6 victory over the Frontier Falcons on Friday night. This win marks the second consecutive triumph for the Warriors, who previously defeated West Central, and it positions them at 2-0 for the first time since their undefeated regular season in 2021.
Eric Davis, in his inaugural season as head coach, has made history by becoming the first coach in Winamac's football program to win his first two games. Following the game, Davis expressed his pride in the team's performance, noting the joy and excitement he witnessed in the locker room. “It was a good win for our kids,” Davis stated. “They put in a lot of work. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re emerging.” His optimism reflects the hard work and dedication the players have shown as they continue to grow as a team.
In the game against Frontier, the Warriors demonstrated their offensive prowess, outgaining the Falcons 413 yards to 221, with an impressive 368 yards coming from their rushing attack. Tearson Wolford was a standout performer, rushing for 172 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 16 carries. His contributions were complemented by Louis Rugg III, who added 104 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts, and Ivan Cardenas, who contributed 70 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Quarterback Xavier Adriano also made his mark, rushing for 22 yards and a touchdown while connecting on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Cardenas.
Defensively, Winamac was equally impressive, stifling a Frontier offense that included star quarterback Ayden Justice, who had led the Falcons to an undefeated regular season the previous year. Justice managed to pass for 170 yards, but the Falcons struggled to maintain any momentum, recording just six first downs throughout the game. Davis highlighted the effectiveness of his defense, particularly noting the efforts of players like Bryant Galbreath, who excelled in man coverage, and the front line, which included Cody Wheeler, Lucas Perez, Keagan Kough, Hunter Haschel, and Wolford, all of whom played pivotal roles in shutting down Frontier's offensive capabilities.
Winamac's defense was led by Adriano, who recorded seven tackles and an interception, while Parker Abbott also contributed with an interception and Jager Terry recovered a fumble. The team’s ability to limit the Falcons to just 51 rushing yards on 19 carries demonstrates their commitment to defensive excellence.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will face a significant challenge as they prepare to travel to Class 1A No. 2 Pioneer for their opening game in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference (HNAC) next Friday night. This matchup will test Winamac’s early-season momentum and provide an opportunity to further establish themselves as a competitive force in the conference.
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