Warriors Make History as a Perfect Season Comes Home

LAFAYETTE, Tenn. — White County went into Pat Parker Stadium Friday night facing an undefeated Macon County team in one of the biggest Upper Cumberland matchups of the season. The Warriors left Lafayette with something no White County team before them had ever accomplished.

White County overcame an opening-kickoff touchdown and scored 28 unanswered points on its way to a 28-14 victory over Macon County, handing the Tigers their first loss of the season.

The matchup brought together the top two teams in the TSSN Elite 8 Coaches Poll, with White County ranked No. 1 and Macon County No. 2. Both also entered ranked statewide in the latest Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 4A poll — White County at No. 6 and Macon County at No. 7. Macon County (5-1) wasted no time showing why.

Cole Hackett took the opening kickoff and raced it back for a touchdown, putting the Tigers ahead 7-0 less than 15 seconds into the game and immediately igniting the crowd at Pat Parker Stadium.

White County didn’t allow the start to change its approach. The Warriors settled in defensively, established their running game, and eventually began controlling the line of scrimmage.

Senior Cole Sims provided the spark. Early in the second quarter, Sims broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7-7 and swinging momentum toward the Warriors.

White County went back to Sims later in the half, and the senior powered into the end zone from one yard out to give the Warriors a 14-7 halftime lead.

The third quarter belonged to White County. Sims scored his third touchdown of the night on another one-yard run, pushing the advantage to 21-7. Then, facing fourth down, senior quarterback Tucker Pinion connected with senior Eli Smith for a 29-yard touchdown.

White County had gone from trailing 7-0 before its offense ever touched the football to leading 28-7 after three quarters.

Macon County wasn’t finished. The Tigers continued battling in the fourth quarter, with Brennan Flowers scoring on a four-yard touchdown run to cut White County’s lead to 28-14.

But the Warriors wouldn’t let Macon County get any closer.

White County’s defense had an answer throughout the night, allowing just one offensive touchdown while coming away with two interceptions and two sacks. Senior Bryson Hogg led the Warriors with 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Senior Lex Winfree added a sack, while sophomore Rick Foster finished with eight tackles and an interception. Sims made his presence felt on that side of the ball as well, recording six tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and two pass breakups.

Offensively, White County imposed its will on the ground. The Warriors rushed for 222 yards on 39 carries, with Sims accounting for 143 yards on 26 attempts.

And when White County needed points, No. 15 kept finding the end zone.

Three rushing touchdowns would have made for a big night by itself. Sims did much more.

The senior finished with 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including the 66-yard score that answered Macon County’s opening punch. Defensively, he added six tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and two pass breakups. Cole Sims is the Mountain Barn Builders Prime Time Performer.

For White County, Friday night was about more than protecting an undefeated record.

It was about making history. The Warriors went on the road against a 5-0 Macon County team, fell behind immediately, and responded by scoring 28 consecutive points before finishing off a two-touchdown victory.

Now the record-setting season returns to Sparta. White County will welcome Warren County (3-3) for Homecoming next Friday night, with the Warriors looking to improve to 7-0 and continue extending the best start in program history.

Macon County, now 5-1, will travel to Stone Memorial (3-3) for a Region 4-4A matchup.

FINAL: WHITE COUNTY 28, MACON COUNTY 14

Macon County scoring: Cole Hackett — kickoff return TD; Brennan Flowers — 4-yard rushing TD.

White County scoring: Cole Sims — 66-yard rushing TD, two 1-yard rushing TDs; Tucker Pinion to Eli Smith — 29-yard TD.

For the first time in program history, the White County Warriors are 6-0.

And on Homecoming night in Sparta, they’ll have a chance to make it seven.