Warriors Take Down the Bees to Become Region Champs!

SPARTA, Tenn. — The perfect season continues, and the Region 4-4A championship belongs to the White County Warriors! In front of an electric home crowd Friday night at Warrior Stadium and Dee Harris Field, White County delivered one of its biggest victories in recent program history, knocking off rival Upperman 35-15 to improve to a perfect 9-0 overall and 4-0 in Region 4-4A. When the Warriors needed a game-changing play, senior standout Bryson Hogg answered the call. Again. And again. And again.

Hogg put together a remarkable performance, scoring four touchdowns in three different ways, including two electrifying punt returns, as White County claimed the region crown and kept its undefeated season alive. For his outstanding performance, Hogg earned Mountain Barn Builders Prime Time Performer of the Game honors.

It didn’t take long for White County to establish the tone. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Warriors marched 61 yards on nine plays, leaning on their running game behind Cole Sims and quarterback Tucker Pinion.

Hogg capped the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run, putting White County ahead 7-0 with 6:38 remaining in the opening quarter. But the senior was just getting started. With 3:42 remaining in the first quarter, Hogg fielded an Upperman punt and raced 74 yards for a touchdown, sending the Warrior faithful into a frenzy and extending the lead to 14-0.

Upperman responded when running back Jude Fitzpatrick broke loose for a 38-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 14-7 late in the opening period. That would remain the score through halftime as the two Region 4-4A heavyweights battled through a scoreless second quarter.

With White County protecting a seven-point lead late in the third quarter, Hogg delivered another unforgettable moment. After the Warrior defense forced an Upperman punt, Hogg took the kick back 70 yards for his second punt-return touchdown of the night. The score pushed White County’s advantage to 21-7 with 1:42 remaining in the third quarter and completely shifted the momentum toward the Warriors.

Early in the fourth quarter, White County faced fourth-and-three at the Upperman 38-yard line. Rather than punt, the Warriors put the ball in the hands of their playmakers. Running back Cole Sims connected with Hogg for a 38-yard touchdown strike, giving the senior his fourth touchdown of the night and extending the lead to 28-7 with 9:25 remaining. Moments later, the White County defense delivered the knockout punch. After Upperman running back Jude Fitzpatrick picked up 13 yards, the football came loose. Warrior defender Tristan Cavanah scooped up the fumble and raced 55 yards for a defensive touchdown. In just 20 seconds of game time, White County had turned a 21-7 advantage into a commanding 35-7 lead.

Upperman added a late three-yard touchdown run from quarterback Elijah Barlow and a successful two-point conversion to Logan Choyce, but the outcome was already decided. The Warriors were region champions. What made Friday night’s victory especially impressive was how White County found ways to win without dominating the traditional offensive statistics.

Upperman actually outgained the Warriors 273-165 in total offense and controlled possession for more than 31 minutes compared to just under 17 minutes for White County. But the Warriors made the plays that mattered most. White County’s special teams accounted for two touchdowns, while the defense added another score and forced two turnovers.

Eli Smith delivered a critical interception near the White County goal line late in the first half, ending an Upperman scoring threat and preserving the Warriors’ 14-7 halftime lead. Cavanah’s 55-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter provided the final exclamation point.

Offensively, Sims carried the football 13 times for 60 yards, while Pinion completed four of six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Upperman’s Fitzpatrick finished with 103 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Barlow completed eight of 14 passes for 91 yards and added 35 rushing yards and a score. Colton Johnson led the Bees’ receivers with 66 yards on two catches. The Bees fell to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in region play.

Bryson Hogg’s final numbers were nothing short of spectacular. The senior finished with 273 all-purpose yards, including 178 punt-return yards, 49 receiving yards, 28 kickoff-return yards and 18 rushing yards. His four touchdowns came on a 20-yard run, punt returns of 74 and 70 yards, and a 38-yard touchdown reception. It was the kind of performance that can define a championship season.

For head coach David Foster and his Warriors, Friday night’s victory represents another major milestone in what has become a remarkable season in Sparta. White County entered the matchup undefeated, knowing that Upperman represented one of its biggest challenges of the season. The Bees brought a talented roster, a physical running attack and championship aspirations of their own. But on this Friday night, the Warriors proved they could win in every phase of the game. They scored on offense. They scored on special teams. They scored on defense. And when the final horn sounded, the celebration belonged to Sparta.

Nine games. Nine victories. A perfect 4-0 region record. And the Region 4-4A championship. The Warriors have already accomplished something special, but with the postseason approaching, the opportunity to make this season even more memorable remains firmly in front of them. For now, one thing is certain. The road to the Region 4-4A championship went through Sparta — and the White County Warriors defended their home turf in championship fashion.