West Lafayette football turns to pickleball, laser tag for team bonding ahead of sectional
West Lafayette football needed to unwind this weekend following an uncharacteristically sloppy loss to Hamilton Heights to end the regular season.
The Red Devils allowed two touchdowns on special teams — a punt return and kickoff return, despite outgaining Hamilton Heights 233 yards to 126 on offense.
West Lafayette wanted to build its team chemistry by incorporating some fun and ole-fashioned players versus coaches competition. So it went Malibu Jack's to play laser tag and later held a doubles pickleball tournament.
More: West Lafayette football falls to Hamilton Heights in conference title game
While a decompressing day was in order, the players still lifted weights and trained in the morning.
"We were able to watch some film and get some food lifts in," West Lafayette coach Shane Fry said.
As for who won the doubles competition? Claiming victory was junior offensive lineman Aiden Heap and junior defensive lineman Nolan McPherson who took down Fry and assistant coach Aaron Wood.
"To be honest we were kind of destroying them in the entire time," Heap said. "I messed up a couple of times but me and Nolan persevered and we got the 'dub' in the end."
The pickleball tournament and laser tag was meant to create more unity within the team heading into the IHSAA playoffs.
"At the beginning of the year we had to recognize that we had to all come together," said leading tackler and linebacker David Curl. "When we play as one team instead of individual players, we're a lot better."
West Lafayette (6-3) turns it attention towards the first round of the IHSAA Sectional playoffs to host River Forest (6-3) a program led by speedy, dual-threat quarterback junior Ayden Silver.
Silver is approaching 1,000 rushing yards while completing 62 of 104 passes for 959 yards. Silver's split-second decision making along with his quick feet and explosive stride will test the patience of West Lafayette's defense.
"The key is going to be taking care of our jobs as part of our team," McPherson said. "We all have specific assignments. If we all do our job and not go rogue than (the game) will get taken care of."
Heap has assumed the role as one of Lafayette's vocal leader on the offensive line after senior captain Ben Burgett injured his knee against Central Catholic on Sept. 8.
"I thought if I could show the young guys that if anyone can lead, that they can really understand what this program is about and play some football," Heap said.
Heap is looking to establish the point of dominance against River Forest's leading tackler and senior linebacker De'aris Beason (104 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks).
"We can't put our heads down if we get 1 to 2 yard plays," Heap said. "We have to get our heads up and know what we have to do and get our assignments right. And when we do, we're going to bust one and we're gonna run it down their throats and have a great football game."
Curl wants to make sure his team enters Friday night with a high level of focus. One game, a couple of misplays and the season could end for the Red Devils.
"I think going into the playoffs we know this is it, especially for the seniors," Curl said. "Us underclassmen we want to play hard for them because there's only a couple that are going to play college ball. The team is realizing we have to fight for each other. We have to fight for these wins and play as long as we can."
River Forest (6-3) vs. West Lafayette (6-3)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Friday marks the first meeting between the two programs.
About River Forest: The Ingots average 26.1 points and allow 9.7 per game. … Western has run the ball on 83.8 percent of its offensive snaps this season. … The Ingots have held teams to nine points or less in five games including three shutouts. Statistical leaders-Passing: Ayden Silver (62-109, 954 yards, 10 TD, 6 INT). … Rushing: Silver (102 car., 976 yards, 15 TD), Carlos Villagomez (92 car., 629 yards, 5 TD). … Receiving: Kaleb Short (21 rec., 471 yards, 5 TD). … Defense: De'aris Beason (104 tackles, 12 TFL, 6 sacks), Silver (84 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 sacks),… Kicking: Chris Whitt (20-23 PAT, 1-1 FG, long (22).
About West Lafayette The Red Devils average 23.9 points and allow 14.3 per game. … West Lafayette is ranked 14 in the Class 3A rankings by MaxPreps. …. ..Statistical leaders-Passing: Carson Kitchel (147-228, 1,849 yards, 17 TD, 5 INT). … Rushing: Dawson Martin (160 car., 814 yards, 11 TD). … Receiving: Benny Speaker (51 rec., 680 yards, 4 TD), Cooper Kitchel (20 rec., 392 yards, 4 TD), Liam Burton (28 rec., 325 yards, 4 TD). … Defense: David Curl (102 tackles, 8 TFL, 1 sack), Porter Mitrione (78 tackles, 19 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 INT), Chase Taylor (78 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks), Niko Roumbakis (25 tackles, 2 INT). … Kicking: Roumbakis (25-33 PAT, 1-3 FG, long of 28).
Coach Fry's take: "I want us to improve from last week. I felt our biggest hole in our game was special teams. We've got to improve there. We continue to be focused on our special teams but having what happened to us Week 9, I think everyone is on high alert and ready to give it all we can on the special teams part of the game and we are excited to see what we can improve on."
Ethan Hanson covers high school sports and Purdue women's basketball for the Journal & Courier in West Lafayette, Indiana. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHansonand ethan_a_hanson on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette football playoffs preview against River Forest
