It wasn’t very long ago that the only time many area football fans got to see Coach Bart Curtis’ Warsaw Tigers was in the postseason.
Now, with the SAC having a pair of non-conference weeks to begin the season, we get to see Warsaw more consistently before October.
Last fall, the Tigers took on Snider in Week 1, a 38-30 victory on the road. This year, Warsaw will open with Snider and Northrop, both at home, a double dip of SAC matchups before jumping into Northern Lakes Conference play.
It was another winning campaign for Curtis’ squad a year ago at 6-4, but Warsaw was pushed around by the likes of Concord (twice) and Mishawaka. Gone is the leader of the offense in quarterback Quinton Brock, as well as running back Brody Duncan, two keys cogs for an offense that averaged close to 30 points per game.
But the Tigers do return a total of 14 starters, balanced with seven each on offense and defense.
Senior Ethan Rivich ascends to the starting quarterback spot. He started against Snider last year and rushed for 130 yards in the win. He will be asked to run the unique “Bart Ball” flexbone offense that is a cornerstone of Warsaw football. Rivich will be aided by a trio of senior running backs – Michael Schenck (rushed for 619 yards and 11 touchdowns last season), Tucker Reed (NLC Honorable Mention and Wyatt Harman (45 rushes, 410 yards, three TDs). All three have starting experience and will surely be leaned upon by Rivich. Reed in particular is dangerous in the run, pass and return games.
Multi-year starter Grady Nelson is your prototypical tight end at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. He was an IFCA Junior All-State selection last season and is an immovable object in the run game.
All five starters along the offensive front have some kind of starting experience at the varsity level, led by seniors Quinton Wilson at guard and Owen Corbin at tackle. The duo will be joined by the likes of Zackary Reneker, Christian Cullers and Rock Lambert up front.
Nelson anchors the defensive front, as he was voted All-NLC First Team as a lineman. Multi-year starter Matthew Flores-Ortega amassed 38 solo tackles, three tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions at linebacker a year ago. Senior Nathan Villa is also back at linebacker, as well as juniors Ty Martin and Baldemar Robles.
A solid pair of defensive backs are back in senior Parker Sweet and junior Ethan Sinclair. Jack Bradford, a junior, is one to watch.
Sophomore John Conley will handle the kicking duties. As a freshman, he hit 26-of-31 extra points and a 38-yard field goal.
As usual, numbers are plentiful at Warsaw, meaning each position will have several backups. This depth is an underrated advantage that the Tigers have over the course of a long season.
WHY #5?
Coach Bart Curtis has built quite the consistent program in Warsaw. In his eight seasons, the Tigers have averaged eight wins a year. Not bad.
With plenty of offensive production back, and a lot of wide and strong bodies in the trenches, this is shaping up to be a bounceback season of sorts for Warsaw. Six wins last year was fine, but left a bit to be desired when it comes to program expectations.
Opening up against Snider and Northrop will give all sides an idea of where they stand early in 2026.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The defense allowed 28 points or more in all four of Warsaw’s losses last year, including 45 points put up by Concord in sectionals that was the most points allowed in a playoff game by the Tigers since 2016.
The offense is going to score points at Warsaw. It always does. What the defense needs to do is be able to get stops against good teams consistently. The Northern Lakes Conference is not easy, but Warsaw should be on the short list of favorites if it can be better on the defensive side of the football in 2026.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 5 at Wawasee
Owners of the “W Trophy” for over a decade, no Warsaw team wants to be the one to allow Wawasee to take the hardware back.
Regardless of how a season is going, the rivalry showdown with Wawasee is the most important on the regular-season schedule. In terms of goals each season, postseason hardware is paramount, and holding onto the W Trophy is right behind.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
ETHAN RIVICH, SENIOR, QUARTERBACK
Rivich does not have to be the offensive star with so much production around him, but he does need to run the show confidently and effectively. He is a senior and has starting experience, which will help tremendously as he settles in. In an offense full of fakes and stunts, how smoothly everything operates is paramount to success. Quinton Brock was exceptional as a multi-year starter at the position. Rivich doesn’t have to be Brock, he just need to play within himself and perform while protecting the football.
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