Indians face Polar Bears in our Game of the Week
Press Sports Editor
sports@presspublications.com
Waite coach Aaron Peacock knew his team was going to be rebuilding this season.
The Indians, who are 0-8 and 0-5 in the City League, have yet to get their first win of the season, but they’ve got a chance to get over the hump on Friday against Woodward.
Last year, the Indians beat the Bears, 36-0, behind two rushing touchdowns from Isiah Hyde.
“Woodward is fighting to get a win, we know they’ll come out and play us tough,” said Peacock. “I think some good football will be played.”
The Polar Bears, who are 0-8 (0-4 CL), have struggled this season, too.
Peacock, who is a Waite alum, talked about his team and its youth and inexperience.
“A lot of things going into this season was understood that it was going to be built on the backs of young guys that don’t have varsity experience. We didn’t have a heavy senior or junior class, so sophomores who hadn’t played varsity and some freshmen have had to step up. We are trying to build and win games with a lot of inexperienced players but they understand what they are up against and don’t back down.
“To only lose four seniors this coming offseason and return the rest of the team is a bright spot,” Peacock said.
Recently, Waite has had some close losses to Bowsher (20-18) and Scott (26-20).
In the loss to the Blue Racers, the Indians suffered a heartbreaking defeat, losing when Bowsher quarterback Jordan Singer found Nah’Sohn Triplet for a 14-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-11 with six seconds remaining in the game.
Waite scored first when Shayne Curns found Daveyon Holman for a 29-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to give Waite a 6-0 lead.
Bowsher later intercepted a pass at its own 1-yard-line before marching down the field and scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run by Singer. Jeremy Jurski ran it in for the two-point conversion, and the Racers led, 8-6, at halftime.
King Wilson scored on a 55-yard touchdown run to give the Indians a 12-8 lead, and the teams traded scores again when Carl Foards found Holman for a 50-yard touchdown pass with 4:08 as Waite grabbed an 18-14 lead.
One of the season’s top plays came when Damien Harrington caught a one-handed interception in the first quarter that would’ve made Odell Beckham, Jr. proud. It earned the number-one spot on SportsCenter’s top 10 plays on Sept. 26.
“The kids competed well, but our inexperience and growing pains (showed) in both games – not knowing how to close a game, but we have a lot of kids that haven’t played varsity football,” said Peacock. “A lot of things, they are learning on the fly. They’ll get better. It’s one of those things where you’re playing seven sophomores and two freshmen – that’s tough to overcome.
Tyqwaun Goetz leads the team in rushing with 60 carries 143 yards and Curns (49-of-104, 570 yards, 6 TD) and Foard (10-of-20, 243 yards, 4 TD) have split time at quarterback.
Holman leads the team with 25 receptions for 392 yards and six touchdowns, Wilson has 12 catches for 217 yards and four scores and Terron Belle has caught 18 passes for 199 yards
“That trio of receivers has been a bright spot for us,” said Peacock.
Peacock knows he is building a strong foundation, one that should allow the Indians to be competitors in the City League.
“It’s one of those things, you’ve got to see the big picture. We are young, but we’ll be strong in the weight room in the offseason,” he said. “The ins and outs of a varsity schedule – these kids will come back next year knowing what to expect and work on. With all those young guys, they’ve made some nice strides.”