Published: October 14, 2008 11:42 pm            

FOOTBALL: Just like old times for rivals

Cass, Western set for undefeated clash for MIC title Friday

Lewis Cass and Western first went at each other on a football field in 1966. They met at different points of the season through 1985, including in Week 1 in 1968-72.

In 1986, the rivalry series found a more fitting spot on the schedule when it moved to the final week of the regular season.

A pattern quickly developed in which one of the teams usually went into the game with a shot at the Mid-Indiana Conference championship. And sometimes both teams went in with shots at the championship — which is the case this season.

Class 2A No. 5-ranked Lewis Cass (7-1 overall) hosts Class 3A No. 3-ranked Western (8-0) Friday night at Owens Memorial Field. They are both 6-0 in league play meaning the winner takes the championship, the loser settles for second place.

It’s been an undefeated showdown five other times in the past 20 seasons. The following are quick looks at those clashes.

1988

Western turned back an upstart Cass squad 14-7 at Walton to extend its stretch of winning or sharing the MIC championship to seven consecutive seasons. Bart Grider ran for 156 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers and Jeff Wray had a late interception to seal the win.

“Our kids have to think we’re close [to being a championship-caliber team]. But the difference tonight between a championship team and us was obvious,” Cass coach Scott Mannering said after the game.

Mannering was in his third season at the time. The Kings’ 5-1 league record was their best since 1979.

1989

Western beat Cass 22-14 at Russiaville to extend its regular season winning streak to 23 and its conference winning streak to 20.

The Kings led 14-12 at halftime, but the Panthers controlled the second half to claim the win. Mike Wagner and Jason “Ace” Stout sparked the Panthers. Wagner had a kickoff return for a touchdown, a 31-yard field goal and a touchdown pass to Chris Tuberty. Stout ran for 146 yards and a touchdown.

“I felt pressure coming into this game, but not for the undefeated season or the MIC championship. We now have a 23-game [regular season] winning streak and that’s a school record. That was the pressure on me,” then-Western coach Jim Plummer said after the game.

“That’s not to say the other accomplishments weren’t important. It’s just that this group had worked so hard to achieve the new record winning streak.”

1994

Cass fumbled seven times, losing five, and Western took advantage for a 13-7 win at Walton. Matt Wood ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers.

“Even with the fumbles, the flip side is that we were close enough and we had a chance to win. But we didn’t,” Mannering said following the game. “They were just a better football team. They hit harder and tackled harder than any team we’ve played all year.”

Cass bounced back from the loss to go on a state tourney run that netted its first regional championship.

As for “hit harder” — the Kings would make that a staple for a run of conference success to come.

2005

Cass crushed Western 42-7 at Russiaville to claim its fifth MIC championship in eight seasons and cap an undefeated regular season. The Kings racked up 356 yards rushing led by their triple threat of Garrett Segraves (97), Clayton Mannering (89) and Alex Evans (80).

“Since our spring meetings for the seniors, we’ve said, ‘What are our goals? Go undefeated, win the MIC.’ This is just the biggest thrill that our number one goal has come true,” Cass senior lineman Kyle O’Brien said after the game.

The Kings went on to accomplish additional goals. They won sectional and regional championships and finished with a school record 13 wins.

2006

Class 2A No. 1-ranked Cass claimed a 20-14 win at Walton to maintain its conference reign. Segraves ran for 126 yards — including 91 in the second half to help Cass rally from a 7-0 halftime deficit.

“We knew Cass was an explosive, strong team. They have good speed. But I’ll tell you what, where they win games is up front,” Western coach Alix Engle said following the game.

Overall

Western owns a 23-19 lead in the all-time series (22-20 when a 1991 forfeit by Western for using an ineligible player is counted), but Cass has won the last five meetings and eight of the last 10 — a run that coincides with its recent run of dominance.

        

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