The Mohawks built a 14-0 lead at halftime at Lafayette Jefferson High School, site of Faith Christian’s first-ever 8-man football game. The hosts rallied in the third quarter to tie the game at 22-all before allowing Waldron, in its second season of 8-man football, to score 22 unanswered fourth-quarter points.
Waldron quarterback Walker Dodson completed four passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns while running backs Hunter Dodson and Brandon Palmer each went over the 100-yard mark.
Hunter Dodson rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns while receiver Tad Crosby had four catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns.
“We had some big plays,” said Waldron coach Corey Barton. “We had good balance between passing and rushing.”
Waldron rotated a trio of quarterbacks under center in the first half with both Dodsons and Trent Case taking snaps.
“They all offer something a little different,” said Barton, who serves as offensive coordinator for Waldron. Chandler Miller returned for a second season as defensive coordinator.
The three-headed quarterback platoon finished 6-of-9 passing for 177 yards and four touchdowns Saturday.
Walker Dodson, a junior, played quarterback in Waldron’s inaugural season and is the most experienced of the three.
“Walker is a playmaker,” said Barton. “He makes things happen.”
Hunter Dodson, a sophomore, and Palmer, a senior, along with Walker Dodson netted 273 yards rushing in their 2023 debut.
“Once we got going, we couldn’t be stopped on offense,” said Barton.
Waldron’s three-man starting offensive line Saturday included sophomore Dom Bonar at center and senior R.J. Fleener and freshman Luke Meyer flanking him.
“Our pass protection is a lot better than last year,” said Barton.
Waldron played without sophomore wide receiver J.D. Smith Saturday, who missed the game with an illness. New this year to the program is Shelbyville transfer Kylan Callahan. The junior had two catches for 29 yards against Faith Christian, one of seven teams fielding 8-man football programs in 2023.
Other schools competing at the 8-man level are Rock Creek Academy, Purdue Poly, Traders Point Academy, Dugger Union and Indiana Deaf – who finished 8-2 in 2022 playing IHSAA traditional 11-man football.
The teams with the four best records at the end of the regular season will meet in postseason semifinal contests in mid-October. An 8-man football champion will be crowned on Oct. 21.
Waldron’s next three games are at home against Rock Creek Academy Saturday at 6 p.m. (Admission is $5 for adults); Purdue Poly on Sept. 2; and Traders Point Academy on Sept. 9.
Road games follow at Dugger Union (Sept. 16), Indiana Deaf (Sept. 23) and Rock Creek Academy (Sept. 30).
The Mohawks’ final game of the regular season is at home Oct. 7 against Dugger Union.
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