Around this time last year, in a disheartening format, Lawrence North continuously beat down Warren Central in a 48-7 match-up on Sept. 29, 2023. This loss put Warren back below the .500, marking a 3-4 start to the season and a three-game losing streak in which Warren lost to Lawrence North, Carmel and Christian Brothers College.
For Warren, this upcoming game against Lawrence North on Oct. 4 may feel personal, as Warren looks to win M.I.C. in football and continue their winning season.
“I remember losing to LN last year was kind of a shock,” senior Madden Beriault said. “Our season was already kind of going bad and they beat us badly, and it was embarrassing. I don't feel we ever bounced back after that, so we definitely still have that in our minds this year.”
Going into the game, the team looks at how to make this year's match different from last year's.
“The Lawrence North game will be different this year because it is kind of a match-up of super teams,” Beriault said. “Their offense is projected to be the best, and our defense is the best defense in the state, so it is a super match-up.”
Players recognize that this game will be both mentally and physically exhausting. Lawrence North has arguably the best offense in the state, and because of this the defense will be battling all game to avoid giving any leeway to the Wildcats.
“I feel like this will be the game where our defense really gets tested,” senior Jevon Guess said. “I feel that their offense matches up with our defense really well.”
Warren successfully started the season off 4-0 with wins against M.I.C. schools like their 30-0 win against North Central and their 35-0 win against Lawrence Central. With wins like these, it is undoubted that Warren's defense is better than last year's. The Warriors in their first four games outscored their opponents 114-0, before allowing the Ben Davis Giants to score 21 points in the Warriors thrilling double overtime 24-21 win on Sept. 20.
Warren's defense will need to be on point against Lawrence North, since last year Lawrence North capitalized on Warren's mistakes, passing all over the field and rushing all over the defense.
“Limiting big plays and keeping the ball out of play makers’ hands is our goal every game,” Beriault said.
On offense, Warren this season started off strong. Against M.I.C. opponents like North Central and Lawrence Central, Warren found success in both the run game and in the passing game. Against Lawrence Central, Warren scored two 20-plus-yard passing touchdowns to wide receiver Chazz Corley.
Corley, a senior, chalks up his success to practicing hard and coming into each match ready to play and make it his game.
“It starts with practice, I'm way more focused,” Corley said. “LN is a tough team, and practice will make perfect.”
If Warren can come out fired up on all sides of the ball and ready to play smart football, the team can pick up a win, and they will find success in the trenches. Along with this, owning up to mistakes made last year and envisioning a way to improve can help the team’s performance.
“I think last year against LN I played a little complacent,” senior Donovan Dungy said. “This year, this year I am going to come out more aggressive and more on them. Everything is going to be tied in.”
The game against Lawrence North will also be Warren's pink out night. For Warren, this means they will be wearing pink jerseys, and the Pit will be decked out in pink. This atmosphere could make it hard for opponents to play in and hopefully work to boost the morale of Warren.
“I think [the goal] will be to beat them to your best moral ability, score as many points as we can,” junior Kaiden Harris said. “These returning starters from last year are going to want revenge from our last match-up, so it will be a tense but a hype and anticipated match-up.”