SHANE SHOEMAKER – Writer
Whitwell’s football season came to a close last Friday night as they were knocked out in the second round of the TSSAA 1A playoffs by Gordonsville, 35-14.
After no score through the first quarter, Gordonsville went up 14-0 with under six minutes left in the half. With just 21 seconds remaining before the break, the Tigers pulled within six after Bennett McDougal scored on a 4-yard run, followed by a Therion Mordecai two-point conversion. However, the Tigers team in blue used the remaining time and were able to hit a 31-yard pass play to get seven right back as the half came to a close, making it 21-8, Gordonsville.
Gordonsville was able to complete 15-of-18 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns, but it was their rushing attack and final two scores that put Whitwell away. They ran a total of 34 times for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
Whitwell would only score one more time, coming in the final minute of the fourth quarter on a Mordecai 5-yard run. The senior would rush 8 times for 36 yards, one touchdown, and a two-point conversion. As a team, Whitwell totaled 292 yards of total offense compared to Gordonsville’s 386.
Friday’s loss marked the second straight season that Whitwell was put out in the second round, finishing the season 8-4.
~photos courtesy of Kristie Eggert
