Workers in the press box were talking. Print, radio, and internet media folks were scratching their heads, too.
What happened to Pirates senior quarterback Jake Raspopovich in Friday night’s 28-21 victory over Munster?
Raspopovich completed his first pass of the game – a 14-yarder to Joe Cowser, on Merrillville’s second possession – and then was MIA until the second half. That is, besides holding on extra point attempts.
In relief, came Demond Wilkins – a 6-foot, 141-pound, lightning-quick freshman understudy.
This isn’t Tim Tebow vs. Mark Sanchez with the Times No. 1 Bucs, is it?
“We have a couple of other guys we want to get in there – that’s all there is to it,” Merrillville coach Zac Wells said. “(Wilkins) is a kid we’re going to rely on in the future. He came up big for us at different points (Friday night).
“That’s what it is all about – tournament time and finding guys to step it up in situations when given the opportunity. We had a couple of guys do that in the quarterback spot.”
Wilkins finished 9-for-12 passing for 153 yards and two TDs, and 16 yards rushing on three carries. Raspopovich was 5-for-7 passing for 70 yards and an interception. !~ Brian Waddle
Hidden Bomber: Rensselaer coach Chris Meeks was glad senior wide receiver/defensive back Ryan Lattimore is playing football again after taking the past two seasons off to concentrate on baseball.
“He decided he wanted to come out his senior year, and he’s having a blast,” Meeks said.
Lattimore was one of the playmakers is Rensselaer’s 40-13 over North Newton on Friday in the Class 2A sectional opner. He caught a 70-yard touchdown pass, returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score and a had a 20-yard run on a jet sweep. He also had an interception on defense.
“He’s got tremendous speed,” Meeks said.
It was Lattimore’s fourth kickoff return for a touchdown.
“I’ve got to give credit to my blockers,” he said. “There was not an unblocked man there, and all I could do was just take it to the other end. It was a great, great play.
Meeks said Lattimore will get more touches as the Bombers hopefully keep advancing.
“He’s definitely a big-play threat for us, running the ball and catching the ball,” he said. !~ Christopher Breach
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