YORKTOWN, Ind – Senior festivities and packed grandstands set the scene at Yorktown High School as the Tigers took on the Delta Eagles in the newest installment of the cross-county rivalry on the football field.
While every Tiger wanted to win the game, junior Tanner Griffey – who missed most of last season due to an injury – came into the contest with one goal in mind: to play well.
“This was my game,” Griffey said. “I had their logo on my phone’s lock screen. This was my game.”
The outside linebacker finished the game with two interceptions – one pick-six – and multiple tackles for loss. His showing helped the Tigers handle the Eagles a 28-14 loss, their first defeat of the season.
The win was not only a special one for the Tigers but also for Yorktown head coach Mike Wilhelm. With the victory, it’s his 108th of his career. That passes his dad – Dave Wilhelm – who won 107 at Southwood High School.
“I love him. In the end, his winning percentage is way better than mine,” Mike said. “But I got him on the win column.”
To open the contest, it was back-to-back punts for both teams as defense was the name of the game. Add in that both teams struggled with flags, it was not a good combination for the competing teams. At the end of the opening quarter, it was 0-0.
However, the Tigers got something going once they found the end zone thanks to a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Sam Tokar – who finished the game going 9-for-15 for 176 yards and two touchdowns – to senior receiver Wilson Webster. After that, the green and white’s offense began to fire on all cylinders.
“This coaching staff, they spent so much time on a great scouting report,” Griffey said. “They put all the film together that we need. They have us ready for success every single week.”
Senior running back Nolan Carpenter is tackled by Yorktown defense Sept. 13 at Yorktown High School. Andrew Berger, DN
For the Eagles, mistakes piled on and the blue and gold couldn’t find anything to hold on to. Multiple turnovers, blown up plays and miscommunication kept them from success. To Delta head coach Chris Overholt, it was a lesson the team needed to learn..
“You can't get off the bus and just expect teams to roll over,” Overholt said. “And if you have a lot of self-inflicting wounds and you mess up on some different things, anyone can beat you any night, especially in our conference.
“So I think that's a resounding bell that I hope that we hear and we're going to move forward next week.”
But while the Eagles continued to struggle, Yorktown thrived. Senior receiver Ephraim Daugherty finished the game with a receiving touchdown, which came on a 75-yard scoring play in the second quarter. For the remainder of the game, the Tigers never took their foot off of the gas pedal.
While Delta seniors Nolan Carpenter and Bronson Edwards had rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, it was too late as the Tigers jogged off the field with their third win of the season.
“This is a Yorktown win,” Wilhelm said. “It isn’t just a Yorktown football win.”
Delta will look for the win column when Mount Vernon comes to Muncie. Yorktown will attempt to get back-to-back wins when they take on New Castle on the road.
Contact Zach Carter via email at @zachary.carter@bsu.edu or on X at @ZachCarter85.
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