Snow piled down on Perkins Stadium in thick, unforgiving sheets on Saturday afternoon as the Warhawks saw their postseason run come to an abrupt end. In a weather-ridden NCAA Division III Tournament second-round matchup, the Warhawks fell to the DePauw Tigers 26-23. As a result, shaped as much by grit and defensive force as by the conditions themselves.
For head coach Jace Rindahl, the loss was blunt and painful.
“We give credit to a really good football team, they were the better team today,” Rindahl said. “As much as this sucks and hurts… I love these seniors. I love this team.”
The Warhawks entered the game confident in their preparation, but the weather immediately managed to dice the script. Snow piled on players making it difficult to predict cuts and manage ball security, which created a difficult environment to get the run game moving, which is usually a staple of Whitewater’s game.
Rindahl acknowledged the shifting challenge.
“Offensively we wanted to run the ball, and then weren’t quite able to, and I felt like we should have started throwing a bit earlier,” Rindahl said.
On the defensive side, the Warhawks were forced to simplify, as senior linebacker Ethan Gallagher added.
“We really hunkered down to more of our base stuff, as the game dictated, you’re pretty limited with what you can do,” he said.
Even so, Whitewater created moments that ignited the stadium. The loudest moment came when junior linebacker Karstan Libby read the quarterback for a pick-6 to give the Warhawks the lead 14-7 over the Tigers early in the third quarter.
“That definitely was a big momentum swing,” Libby said. “Especially with how efficient their passing game was, to take the ball away in that scenario and even score.”
But DePauw never settled. The Tigers leaned on sophomore quarterback Scott Ballentine, who managed the conditions with measured confidence. Paired with his long-time partner in crime, brother and receiver Robby Ballentine, the duo proved to be the steadying force DePauw needed.
Scott completed key throws with poise. Together they connected five times for 90 yards and a touchdown which greatly helped them in the outcome of the game.
“We’ve put in hours for the past six years playing together,” Robby said. “On a day like today when the weather is so bad, we just go back to, we’re in the backyard playing again.”
Scott added, “I trust this guy 100%. Every play, every throw, he’s one of the best guys in the country.”
While DePauw found its footing, Whitewater fought through the mounting list of setbacks. Penalties were a large contribution. Eight penalties for 101 yards repeatedly cut drives short while extending DePauw’s. Gallagher didn’t shy away from the impact. “A couple of those were very costly,” he said. “It’s a discipline thing, something we’ve got to clean up.”
And still, with all of it stacked against them, the Warhawks had a chance in the final minutes. A late push down the sideline gave Whitewater life, until the game’s defining moment: an interception on a deep shot downfield.
Justin Klinkner, snow still matted on his helmet, took full responsibility.
“It was pretty much just a little overthrown,” he said, refusing to blame anyone but himself despite the brutal conditions.
Senior captain Ethan Gallagher spoke through the rawness of that reality.
“I’m super appreciative of the staff and the program and the culture,” he said. “To be a part of it for four years was an awesome experience, I hope that I left this program better than I found it.”
Walking away, he admitted, this would be unfamiliar territory.
“If I could do it forever, I probably would,” Gallagher said. “But I want to encourage these guys to keep pushing.”
Rindahl’s own emotion mirrored that of his players. Reflecting on the senior class, he paused often, choosing each word with care.
“There’s a lot that went into this past calendar year,” he said. “For these seniors to come along and complete what they have, that’s why I’m emotional.”
And beyond disappointment, Rindahl made sure the bigger picture wasn’t lost.
“We earned another 11th game, made the playoffs, that’s a great accomplishment,” he said. “I’m proud of them for sticking together.”
Whitewater’s season didn’t end in triumph, but it ended in unity. The kind of unity forged only through adversity. But one thing was clear; this group left something meaningful behind, and the next will carry it forward.
