Rockies upend Warsaw

PLYMOUTH – It was nearly 24 hours in the making but the sun smiled on Plymouth’s Rockies on Saturday afternoon as they took NLC win number one of the new season with a 41-7 victory over Warsaw.

For the second week in a row the weather played havoc with the football schedule around the state and the game was suspended from Friday night with the Rockies holding a 7-3 lead. Resuming on Saturday afternoon Plymouth could do little wrong.

“We had some silly penalties when were in the wrong position but there aren’t a whole lot of negatives you can get out of that,” said Plymouth coach John Barron. “We played really well against a team coming off a really emotional win over a good team. We were explosive on offense and we I’m just really proud of a total team effort.”

Once again fullback Taylor Fulton was the show with five touchdowns and 135 yards rushing. In the past two games the Plymouth senior has made his move from defensive end to fullback look like genious with his performance. While Fulton’s hard running style has gained his coach’s praise, Barron also placed some credit where it is due – on the shoulders of his offensive line.

“What’s happening is that teams are really concentrating on stopping Justin (Drudge),” said Barron. “They’re saying ‘your fullback is going to have to beat us’ and that’s what’s happening right now. We’re reading the option well and we’re getting really good interior blocking. Those three guys (Kevin Escobar, Devin Straka and Kasey Kopetski) are doing a great job in there and (offensive tackles Trenton) Garza and (Nat) Hiatt are smart and physical and quick and they get to people in the second level.”

The size and speed of an outstanding corp of Warsaw receivers had Plymouth coaches concerned during the week, but that concern proved to be unfounded as giving senior Kyle Lacefield more snaps on the defensive side of the ball and the play of the entire Plymouth defense rose to the occasion.

Other than some brief periodic success the Tigers were completely unable to get any offense started. The front of Chaz Scruggs, Brandt Peters, Christian Bastardo were able to get pressure on Warsaw quarterback Jake Mangas and after a tough game at Rochester the Plymouth linebacking corp of Jeremy Splix, Matt Friar, Caleb Koss and Caleb Wiers rebounded to have an oustanding game.

“Really proud of our defense. We didn’t give up a touchdown today and in my mind that’s a shut out,” said Barron. “We really focused on them this week. They all played very well. There’s no complaints there. I’m really proud of them.”

Now at 3-0 on the season the Rockies travle to Middlebury next week for a tough game against Northridge also 3-0 coming off a 55-0 win over Wawasee. Warsaw falls to 1-2 and plays at home against Elkhart Memorial next Friday – weather permiting.

Score by Quarters

Warsaw 3 3 0 0 – 6

Plymouth 7 13 14 7 – 41

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

W – Caleb Klusman , 28 yd. FG.

P – Taylor Fulton, 10 yd run (Jacob LaFree kick).

Second Quarter

P – Jack Barron 19 yd. Run (LaFree kick missed).

W – Caleb Klusman 45 yd. FG

P – Taylor Fulton 1 yd. Run (LaFree kick).

Third Quarter

P – Fulton 17 yd. Run (LaFree kick)

P – Fulton 1 yd. Run (LaFree kick)

Fourth Quarter

P – Fulton 8 yd run (LaFree kick).

Team Totals

Offense