The Wildcats had pretty much steamrolled their way through the regular season, finishing with an undefeated 9-0 record, the school's sixth in program history, and earned themselves a first round bye in the Class 2 District 5 tournament. A 39-0 win over Sarcoxie in the semifinal setup a much anticipated matchup with the defending Class 2 state champion Lamar Tigers at home.
With one of the largest crowd's that the stadium had seated in many years on hand, fans got everything that they anticipated, with the exception of the most important, the win, as the Wildcats fell 15-13 in the Class 2 District 5 Championship game, abruptly putting a halt to their storybook season.
The Tigers took the opening kickoff and used a methodical 18 play drive to get to the Warsaw 15 yard line but a defensive stop on 4th and goal turned the ball over on downs and gave the Wildcats their first possession. An incomplete pass and a short run later, Garrett Ferguson then converted on a nice run near his own sideline. A good run by Josh Harvath pushed the ball to midfield but then a botched mesh between Ferguson and Jayce Depriest put the ball on the ground and Lamar recovered the fumble. Two plays later, the opening period ended scoreless, 0-0.
That drive for the Tigers culminated in a punt, backing up Warsaw to their own 14 yard line. Another ball on the ground, recovered by the Wildcats this time, and a short run and scramble by Ferguson brought on the punt team for the home team.
Lamar began their ensuing drive on Warsaw's side of the field and 8 plays later, the Tigers drew first blood on a 7-yard touchdown run by Terren Williams. A 2-point conversion was successful, the visitor's took the first lead of the game at 8-0, and that wrapped up the first half.
The 'Cats first possession of the second half ended in another punt by Gemes and that one would hurt as Lamar put together another drive, this one 8 plays, that ended on another short touchdown run by Williams. Chris Juarez split the PAT and Warsaw faced their largest deficit of the season at 15-0.
Needing a break, the Wildcats got one in the latter part of the third. After a turnover on downs, Shane Poyser jarred a ball loose from Alex Wilkerson to Trent Torbeck. The ball fell to the ground and was recovered by Josh Harvath for the Wildcats.
With time ticking away, the Warsaw offense showed their first sign of life when Ferguson connected with Depriest on a ball over the top that got Depriest into space. He did the rest, racing in for a 72-yard touchdown to get the 'Cats on the board. However, in a play that would prove pivotal later, the 2-point attempt by Ferguson came up short and Warsaw still found themselves behind by two possessions, 15-6 heading into the fourth.
A rejuvenated Wildcats defense stood tall and, midway through the fourth, Brecken Brewster stripped Carson Sturgell on a sweep to the short side and recovered his own forced fumble, putting Warsaw back in business.
Four plays later, from the Lamar 45, Ferguson connected with a dashing Drake Murrell up the seam. Murrell did the rest and would not be denied as he lept across the goal line to get the 'Cats on the board again. Gemes came on to nail the PAT to make it close at 15-13.
With just minutes remaining, the Wildcats defense forced another Lamar punt that Jase Hubert downed at his own 34 yard line. A desperation heave to Murrell gave Warsaw a new set of downs with time slipping away. After moving to the Lamar 33 yard line, a penalty and another one for intentional grounding pushed Warsaw back towards midfield. On fourth down, with one last breath, Ferguson caught Harvath sneaking down the right seam but the pass was just past the outstretched arms of Harvath, falling incomplete. That play ended the game, 15-13, and ultimately the Warsaw season at 10-1.
Ferguson paced Warsaw with 51 yards on the ground on 15 carries. He also finished 5 of 13 passing for 157 yards and 2 TD's. Depriest had 3 catches for 88 yards and 1 TD while Murrell hauled in 2 for 69 yards and a score.
Hubert and Murrell led Warsaw's defense with 13.5 and 13 tackles, respectively. Harvath contributed 7.
A complete wrap-up of the season will be carried following the end-of-season football banquet which has yet to be scheduled.
