SportsPage 16The Owl

Warren CentralSeptember 25, 2009

Halfway into the season, the Warriors have faced a wide variety of game scenarios. Blowout victories, gut-check overtime decisions, and a failed last second comeback. It seems no matter the situation the Warriors have the remedy, a heavy dose of number 29. After playing behind two talented runners last year, George Cheesebourough and Eric Williams, senior Shakir Bell has emerged as the workhorse in this year’s offensive scheme. “Like I say all the time, Eric and Cheese taught me a whole lot,” Bell was quoted in Michael Pointer’s Indianapolis Star article “Warren Central wins big on the road.” “Cheese’s footwork was great. Eric was a big, strong guy. They taught me some things, and I mixed them a little bit.” Bell has used those lessons well in the first half of the year. Quarterback Derek Hart struggled in the season opener at Merrillville, throwing for just 81 yards and two interceptions, but that did not matter after Bell led the team to a 49-16 victory with 253 yards and four touchdowns on

By Jackson CoramSports Editor

Bell breaks free in starting roleDOWN GO THE GIANTS: Senior running back Shakir Bell breaks a tackle for a big gain in the 23-17 overtime victory over the cross-town rival Ben Davis Giants. Bell had 31 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants, including the game-winning score in overtime. Photo / Derrick Combs

the night. Three weeks later came the biggest game of the year for the Warriors. Not only was the game at Lucas Oil Stadium, not only was it against the Indianapolis Star’s preseason pick for top team in class 5A, it was Westside rival Ben Davis High School, and no one was taking this game lightly. It was a defensive struggle through the entire first half, but the Warriors broke free with a 22-yard touchdown pass to senior Demetrius Cowherd as time expired in the half. But throughout the game the Warriors had one consistent form of offensive production: handing the ball to Bell. After a fumble by Bell late in the fourth quarter that sparked a last minute drive for the Giants that ended in a missed 47-yard field goal, the Warriors stopped Ben Davis on their first drive in overtime. With the game on the line and the ball on the ten, the Warriors put the game back into the hands of their go to guy. The Ben Davis defense was no match for the Warrior offensive line on that drive as Bell strolled into the end zone for a 23-17 win. Bell then followed up the next week with 219 yards

rushing and four touchdowns against an out-matched Panthers team from North Central. Through the first four games Bell rushed for seven touchdowns and 653 yards on 7.7 yards per carry. In the always competitive MIC, Bell is the top running back statistically, with 223 more rushing yards and four more touchdowns than second-place senior Trae Heeter from Lawrence North. These performances have not come without some scares though. On multiple occasions the Warriors have had to take injury time outs for Bell, but each time Bell has been able to return to play. Despite these instances, Bell has been the consistent offensive force for the Warriors. With match ups against two top five teams within the Indiana High School Football Coaches Poll in Carmel and Center Grove, Bell and the Warriors will continue to be tested. The Warriors will next be in action tonight against Terre Haute North in the Homecoming game.

SportsPage 17The Owl

Warren CentralSeptember 25, 2009

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Senior#36

Season:Attacks - 318

Kills - 133Hit % - .239

Digs - 10

Team Performance:Matches Won - 11Matches Lost - 8

Games Won - 26Games lost - 23

Athlete of

the Month

By Levi FistrovichSports Writer

Boys struggling to fi nish games

After starting their season in July, the girls golf team tried to step up after losing a few top varsity players. The team did not only start their practices over summer, but they also had three 18-hole tournaments and seven dual matches throughout the season. The best placement came in the form of a fi fth place fi nish at Ben Davis. On September 8, the girls left school at 10 a.m. to compete in their county match which they placed tenth in. Top players for the match were senior Maggie Smith with an 88, junior Jessica Newman with a 91, senior Leslie McDonald with a 100, senior Sara Hancock with a 105, and junior Cami Bristow with a 111. The girls next performance came against Park Tudor High School. Although the girls played tough, they came up short in the end with a 203-192 loss. The team then travelled to Southern Dunes Golf Course for sectional play on September 18. After an 8 a.m. tee off for all participants, the girls played through an 18-hole round of long fairways and deceptive hazards throughout the course. The girls turned in a team score of 395 for a fi fth place fi nish among eight teams. Top scorers for the Warriors were senior Leslie MacDonald with a 95, junior Jessica Newman with a 96, and senior Maggie Smith with a 99. “Our record wasn’t great, but I’m very pleased with how the season went,” Burton said. “I had a lot of fun working with the girls.”

By Jodi WillisSports Writer

Golf season ends after � fth place sectional

DOWN IN THE DUMPS: The boys look on in disbelief as the Hamilton Southeastern Royals dismantled them in their season opener, 11-1. The boys look to hit their stride at the end of the season in order to carry them through sectional play.

Photo / Derrick Combs

Photo / Derrick Combs

Photo / Casey Carney

In the season opener against Hamilton Southeastern, the boys soccer team showed their offseason rust by losing 11-1. The game was fi lled with defensive struggles for the Warriors, who were unable to adjust to the Royals attacking game. With the last game still in mind, the Warriors went up against Heritage Christian looking to redeem themselves. The Warriors struck a bit of luck early as senior Aaron Schroeder was able to score off a set piece and put the Warriors ahead 1-0. The Warriors scored six more goals while not conceding any to the Eagles. With the adrenaline pumping, the Warriors trained hard for their next few games including one of their toughest opponents of the season, Carmel. When the game started, the Warriors were caught off guard by the talent, speed of play, and quickness of the Greyhounds and it showed in the fi nal score with a Carmel 8-0 victory. After regrouping from the harsh loss, the Warriors turned to their next opponent, Cardinal Ritter. Ritter drew fi rst blood scoring off of a miscommunication by the Warrior defense. It looked as if a new team showed up for the second half as the Warriors pulled out a 4-2 victory. The momentum failed to carry over as the Warriors lost their next three games. The Warriors take their 3-7-1 record to Terre Haute on September 26 to take on the Patriots of Terre Haute North at 10 a.m. and the Braves of Terre Haute South at 2 p.m.