HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
The Whitwell Tigers came into last Friday’s game following a heartbreaking loss. It was senior night, and rival Sale Creek was visiting, giving the Tigers extra motivation to play a strong brand of football in front of their home crowd one last time. In a hard-fought battle, Whitwell fell short, losing 18-12 in overtime.
The Panthers started with the ball, but the Tigers quickly forced a punt. Right from the outset, Whitwell’s game plan was simple: play smash-mouth football. Sophomore Brody Hardy ran up the middle for a five-yard gain on the first play of the drive. The Tigers continued to methodically march down the field before Harvey found the end zone on a five-yard rush. The extra point attempt was no good, making the score 6-0.
In the second quarter, Sale Creek punched it in on a 3rd-and-goal from the 13-yard line. Their PAT was also no good, tying the game at 6-6. With three minutes left in the half, Harvey scored his second touchdown of the night on a three-yard rush, giving him his seventh TD in four weeks. The Panthers drove down the field, and with time expiring, Sale Creek missed a field goal, leaving the score 12-6 at halftime.
On the Panthers’ first possession of the second half, they tied the game with a five-yard rushing touchdown. The game remained quiet until four minutes remained, when the Tigers blocked a punt, putting them inside the 20-yard line. Sale Creek held strong, forcing a fourth down. Instead of attempting a field goal, Whitwell decided to go for it but was ruled down just short of the line to gain. The Tigers then forced another three-and-out.
With one minute left, Whitwell was marching down the field when they fumbled the ball, turning it over to Sale Creek. The Panthers didn’t have enough time to score, sending the game into overtime.
Sale Creek received the ball first and scored. They went for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful. The Tigers gave the ball to their leading back, Harvey, but he found nowhere to run. On the second play, Talan Beason completed a pass to Adam McDougal, moving them inside the five-yard line. On third down, a tipped pass fell incomplete. On fourth down, the Tigers put the ball back in Harvey’s hands, but the Panthers’ defense stood firm, securing the win.
Whitwell will be on a bye this Friday. Their next game is Thursday, Oct. 23 at Jo Byrns at 7 p.m.
Photos by Kristie Eggert