For the first time in several years, the Delphi 7th grade football team secured the West Central Junior Conference championship by defeating Wea Ridge 22-16 last Wednesday night in West Lafayette.

In a game that was really not as close as the final score would indicate, the Oracles used a dominant overall defensive performance and an excellent effort from the offensive line to take control of the contest early and hold on for the WCJC championship.

After a scoreless first quarter, Delphi quarterback Hayes Cronk found tight end Brent Matthews open in the end zone for a 15-yard scoring strike and a 6-0 lead.

Following an interception by Oracle safety Jason Sterrett on the ensuing Huskies' drive to regain possession for Delphi late in the second quarter, running back Garrett Johnson scampered 60 yards for a touchdown, with Cronk connecting with receiver Kolby Myer for the twopoint conversion and a 14-0 lead at halftime.

The Oracles then used a long, sustained offensive drive to open the second half, capped off by a 5-yard Cronk fade pass to receiver Billy Dean Hefner into the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown, and with a Sterrett run for the two-point conversion, Delphi took a commanding 22-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

Wea Ridge scored its first points at the end of the third quarter to make it 22-8, and then added a final touchdown in the closing minutes to narrow the final margin of victory.

The team is coached by Mark Back, Kyle Trebley, Andy Venters, Tony Wheelock and Nick Cronk.