Three of Whiteland’s senior defensive starters are more than pulling their weight statistically for Class 5A’s fifth-ranked football team.
However, it’s the behind-the-scenes intangibles, moments not illuminated by stadium lights on crisp autumn Friday nights, which set Ewan Niccum, Donnevan Plummer and Kayden Welling apart.
Warriors coach Darrin Fisher has built a consistent winner by relying on whatever voices of experience can be heard in locker rooms and during practice and game competition. This season is no different, with Whiteland taking a 5-1 record into tonight’s Mid-State Conference showdown with Class 4A No. 2 Mooresville.
Niccum, a three-year starter at cornerback, takes to the Warriors’ artificial turf tonight with 89 career tackles, 21 pass deflections and three interceptions. Plummer, a defensive lineman, and Welling, a linebacker, are two-year starters.
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The secret, Niccum said, is really no secret at all.
“I do think some of it comes from the (example) of last year’s (seniors), but I think all of us play well together,” he said. “Everyone is unselfish and everyone wants to win. Even kids who know they’re not going to start, they give 100 percent in practices.
“Our coaches have great game plans every week, and we all buy into them.”
Like any successful program, Whiteland football excels at building the foundation for future teams while focusing on the next challenge. Niccum, Plummer and Welling were freshmen when the varsity struggled to an uncharacteristic 2-8 record.
They were around the following year to experience an impressive bounce-back — an 8-3 mark — and witness the kind of leadership that helped make it possible.
“During team time we’re always cheering each other on whenever we make a big play,” said the 6-foot, 240-pound Plummer, who is fourth on the team in tackles with 47 after racking up 13 in last week’s 38-0 win at Martinsville. “Coaching up the younger guys and helping them. We’re going to be gone next year, so they’re going to replace us.”
Welling, the Warriors’ top tackler with an average of 10 per game, concurs.
“I feel like us older guys have to teach the younger guys,” Welling said. “At my position I have a bunch of young guys. I take the responsibility of trying to teach them how to do it. From a real young age I always knew not to be selfish.
“It’s a team sport. We all have to work together to help get to where we want to be. We’re not there yet. We’re still trying to compete for a conference championship and win sectional, something we haven’t done in a while. We’re not done yet.”
Whiteland’s triumph over the Artesians and the previous week’s shutout of Perry Meridian mark the first time in 20 years a Warriors football team has held consecutive opponents scoreless. They now have a pair of shutouts in the same season for the first time since 2015.
In practice, meetings and on Fridays, the defense sets the tone. It starts with trio of Niccum, Plummer and Welling.
“Those guys, by selling something positive, they lead the group in a way that they’re excited to play football,” Fisher said. “Our defensive guys feed off of that excitement. Our defensive kids practice at a level that you have to keep up with them.
“They just have a different — again, it’s a positivity. It’s a culture of, ‘I’m making everybody else have fun being here.’ They’re able to do it for the whole team.”
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THIS WEEKEND’S GAMES
Center Grove at Pike, 7 p.m.
Plainfield at Franklin, 7 p.m.
Greenwood at Decatur Central, 7 p.m.
Mooresville at Whiteland, 7 p.m.
Indianapolis Manual at Indian Creek, 7 p.m.
Edinburgh at Traders Point Christian, 7 p.m.
Bloomington North at Roncalli, 6 p.m. Saturday
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