GASTON, Ind – When Matt Nuckols was hired as the Wes-Del head football coach three years ago, he had one goal: to improve the program. In his first season, the Warriors won one game. Last year, they won four.
But after Friday night’s 50-20 win over Cambridge City Lincoln (0-9), the atmosphere at Paul L. Parker Field was at a high and energetic level. Fans cheered, players celebrated and coaches took photos with the senior players.
“All of the work we’ve been putting in the last three years, it all comes to this moment,” Wes-Del senior Grayson Mealy said.
The Warriors ended the regular season 5-4, making it the first time the program has headed to the state tournament above .500 since 2016. Add in the fact that the team started the year 0-3 and broke the program’s single-season rushing record that was held since 1984, the result was even more special.
The Warriors’ regular-season finale at Wes-Del Middle/Senior High School started with senior night festivities as the six football seniors accompanied by others walked down the track. In the fourth quarter, Nuckols took a timeout and allowed his upperclassmen to receive praise from the crowd.
“They were the sophomores when we took over and they worked in the weight room, worked [on the field] and got numbers and guys to buy in,” Nuckols said. “It’s because of them and what they’ve done the last three years to make something like tonight possible.”
The contest itself opened fast as the Warriors forced Cambridge City to punt after three plays. On Wes-Del’s third offensive play of the game, junior Brock Nauman found the end zone with a rushing touchdown. He went on to do that three more times throughout the evening and recorded 168 yards on the ground.
Two weeks ago against Park Tudor, he had eight rushing touchdowns to set the record for most touchdowns in a game. To him, he hasn’t tried to mess with his mindset.
“I haven’t changed much,” Nauman said. “I’ve taken some inspiration from some sources and worked on my game all season. I just try to get better every game.”
Even though the next kickoff was returned for a touchdown by the Golden Eagles, Nauman’s four scores held the Warriors in a good spot. But it wasn’t just the offense that was clicking as the Warriors’ defense also helped in that. Mealy – who also had a rushing touchdown and 38 rushing yards – intercepted a pass but slipped when attempting to return it.
Later in the game, he recorded another interception, but this time, ran it back for a 65-yard pick-six. The first one of his career.
“To see all the guys cheering for me when they were running and screaming, that was amazing,” Mealy said.
With the achievement of the winning regular season and rushing record, the coaching staff and players agree that Nuckols’ plan and idea of improving the program has become a reality. To the third-year Warriors’ head coach, it’s because of everyone.
“We’ve been through a lot,” Nuckols said. “We have a great staff right now and the kids we have are just tremendous.”
Wes-Del will stay home and face the Tri Titans (5-3) in the opening round of Sectional No. xx. The game will be played Friday, Oct. 25, and will start at 7 p.m. The Warriors think the momentum is on their side, and after winning five of their last six games, know anything is possible.
“Next Friday is going to be a smashmouth football game,” Nuckols said. “Tri is a really good team and very similar to us. It’s going to be a very physical game and it’s one we're excited for.”
Other area scores included Yorktown defeating Mt. Vernon 28-27, Delta falling to New Palestine 38-0 and Muncie Central winning 55-14 against Richmond.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or on X @ZachCarter85.
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