Coach Matt Burgbacher, who is in his seventh season, is quick to give credit to players for the stout defense.
Senior receiver/defensive back Max Deckard, who had two interceptions in a 62-0 win over Sidney on Thursday in Tipp City Park, is quick to give credit right back to Burgbacher and the team’s assistant coaches, including Matt’s father Charlie.
“Our coaching is phenomenal,” Deckard said. “Our scouting every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is great. Our coaches do a great job. They are 90 percent of the reason why we win every game and get shutouts like this.”
The Red Devils dominated from the start against the Yellow Jackets and improved to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in MVL play. All five of Tippecanoe’s league victories have been by running-clock margins of 30 or more points.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
Junior quarterback Larkin Thomas entered the game with an MVL-best 1,093 passing yards. Five other Tipp players ranked among the top five in various statistical categories, including Deckard, who was tied for third in interceptions.
Deckard intercepted two passes on Thursday, including a pick-six he returned 35 yards late in the first quarter to push the lead to 21-0. He also caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
“He’s a solid football player,” Burgbacher said. “He’s been solid defensively, offensively and special teams; he’s a threat returning the ball. A hard worker, great kid.
“I’m so happy with him. He’s not complacent with how good he is now. He wants to get better and works toward that all week.”
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
The Red Devils held Sidney to 125 yards and amassed 310. In addition to Deckard’s two interceptions, they recovered two fumbles and forced three turnovers on downs.
“We gave up some rushing yards tonight, and I’m not real happy with that, but the big thing is having that 0 on the (scoreboard). It’s a mentality,” Burgbacher said.
Thomas threw three touchdown passes and ran for another and senior running back Xavier Melton ran for three touchdowns. Thomas completed 9-of-16 passes for 163 yards with one interception (his second of the season) and Melton ran for 137 yards on 17 carries.
Thomas threw a 37-yard TD pass to Will Strong early in the first quarter and connected with him again on a 57-yard TD pass early in the second.
Burgbacher said he was pleased the squad had some big plays.
“Our guys know it starts up front,” Burgbacher said. “We’ve got some pretty good skill players, but you can have the best skill guys in the state, and if you don’t have an offensive line, you’re not going to be that good.
“I thought our offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and for the most part our defensive line did too.”
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
Deckard’s other interception aside from the pick-six also came in the first quarter, and Raiden Nicholls recovered a fumble. The three turnovers helped Tippecanoe take a 28-0 lead by the end of the quarter, and they pushed it to 42-0 by halftime.
“We were just playing our coverages, how we were supposed to, staying disciplined,” Deckard said. “That’s what happens when we stay disciplined.”
Tippecanoe hasn’t lost a league game since Week 6 in 2023. The Red Devils have a couple important MVL matchups in the final four weeks, including their next game at Xenia (4-1, 3-1) in Week 7.
“One thing our coaches are great at is making sure we don’t let our heads get too big. Don’t get caught in the moment,” Deckard said. “Take every game like it’s your last one and take every game seriously.”
Burgbacher credited the squad for not looking ahead.
“Every week, we’re going to get teams’ best shots,” Burgbacher said. “… Our kids did a great job this week of staying focused on (Sidney). They haven’t talked about Xenia or Troy (a Week 9 matchup) coming up in the future. All they talked about this week is Sidney.”
Thursday’s game was originally scheduled for Friday but was moved a day earlier due to Tipp City’s Mum Festival, which will take place in the park this weekend.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
Sidney (0-6, 0-5) is being led by first-year coach Kyle Coleman, who took over the program last spring after Dave Taynor resigned to return to collegiate coaching.
Coleman served as an offensive and defensive coordinator at Sidney under Adam Doenges and was defensive coordinator at Minster the last two seasons before returning as head coach.
The Yellow Jackets lost 21 seniors to graduation off last season’s 5-6 campaign and are 0-6 for the first time since 2011.
Coleman said the youthful squad has shown some signs of improvement. The Yellow Jackets are hoping to pick up some wins in the final four weeks; they host Greenville (2-3, 1-3) in Week 7 in a battle for the Little Brown Jug, which they’ve won the last five times the teams have met.
“We have some ups and downs right now,” Coleman said. “… We’re trying to develop guys. We’ve got a lot of young guys playing, whether it be grade-wise or experience-wise. We’re trying to develop those young guys throughout the week in practice.
“… Our guys have been practicing harder. Now we just need to get it to translate over to Friday night. We just want to keep progressing, getting better each week. That’s our focus now.”
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
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