By Chris Parker
Warsaw started the season 2-3 last year then rattled off five consecutive wins before falling to Lamar in the district semifinals by a score of 50-6. The Wildcats finished the season at 7-4 overall.
“Last year we were really able to find our stride in the second half of the season,” Warsaw head coach Ryan Boyer said. “After starting out 2-3, we were able to finish strong at 5-1. It was truly a team effort from all grade levels. This is something we hope to continue to build off of.”
Warsaw returns five starters on both offense and defense along with 15 total lettermen.
Logan Strunk (senior center), Tim Burkhart (senior guard) and Garret McGann (junior guard) all return to the offensive line to make that unit a strength for Warsaw.
Brady Slavens is back at quarterback after playing in five games last year as a sophomore. He threw for 525 yards and four touchdowns. He is also the team’s leading returning rusher after turning 53 carries into 225 yards and two touchdowns.
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Jack Gardner is fifth returning starter at wide receiver and tight end. He is also the team’s leading returning receiver after catching 14 balls for 219 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Slavens will return to the secondary and be joined by junior James Kellner at free safety. Nick Bagley (sophomore middle linebacker), Justin Martin (senior linebacker) and Kolton Krueger (senior defensive end and middle linebacker) round out the returning defensive starters. Bagley was the team’s leading tackler last season at 54 total tackles. Kellner was third in the team with 41 total tackles.
Zach Sharp (senior DB/WR), Grant Chapman (junior DB/WR), Cameron Taylor (junior RB/LB), Cameron Seevers (sophomore RB/DB), Bradley Orton (sophomore OL/DL), PJ Landsberg (senior OL/DL) and Jackie Esser (junior OL/DL) are new players to watch.
“I am excited for this upcoming season. Our boys have been working hard and doing everything asked of them,” Boyer said. “Our community has been great in supporting our program and helping out in any way possible.”
Warsaw opens the season on Aug. 28 at Cole Camp.
