White County Middle School victorious over DeKalb County

The mood amongst the White County Middle School football players after a 24-point win against DeKalb County, on Sept. 1, was not what you would expect after a lopsided victory.  Some players were disappointed, while others were somewhat upset.  This year’s Warriors have come to expect a certain level of performance, and they felt like they fell short of that standard.  There were missed tackles, turnovers, and penalties that are uncharacteristic for the Warriors.  The Saints from DeKalb County Middle came in ready to play and made the Warriors work hard for the victory.

DeKalb County received the opening kickoff and proceeded to run the ball effectively down the field. Before the Warriors could catch their breath, the Saints had moved the ball within 24 yards of the endzone. The Warriors’ defense would bow their backs and force the Saints to turn over the ball on downs. However, the Warriors would hand the ball right back to DeKalb due to a fumbled exchange on a handoff. Nice tackles by JoJo Dowell and Griffin Adams would cause the Saints to turn the ball over again after four plays.

White County would get the offense fired up on the next drive. A 10-yard run by Cole Sims would be followed by a 20-yard keeper by Tucker Pinion. The drive ended in points as Pinion found Eli Smith who made an acrobatic catch over a defender for a 23-yard score. Sims carried in the two-point conversion behind a crushing block from Chris Graver. The score was 8-0 in favor of the Warriors.

The Saints fumbled the ensuing kickoff and gave the ball back to WCMS. Pinion ran off another 20 yards and set Cole Sims up for a 28-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good, making the score 14-0. 

Good defense from the Warriors caused the Saints to punt the ball after three plays.  The Warriors would find paydirt again as JoJo Dowell would take the inside handoff and sprint 80 yards for another touchdown. The two-point conversion made the score 22-0.

The DeKalb Saints would put together their best drive of the night as they began to find success through the air.  A couple of crisp passes moved the ball down the field. The Warriors’ first-team defense would then give up their first touchdown of the year on a short Saints’ pass. DeKalb would also throw in the two-point conversion to make the score 22-8.

With just seconds left in the half, the Warriors got the ball back and pulled off a beautiful 50-yard double pass for a touchdown. Pinion threw a backward pass to Eli Smith who fired the ball down the field to Cole Sims who sprinted to the endzone. The two-point conversion was good, making the score 30-8 at the half.

The Warriors would get the second half kickoff and begin to move the ball. Jack Carpenter had a 35-yard catch and run. Sims would take the pigskin the final 28 yards for a touchdown. The conversion would make the score 38-8.

The Warriors would force a turnover on downs on the Saints’ next drive. WCMS would fumble on the very next play giving the ball back to DeKalb County. The Saints would punch the ball in the endzone for a second time. The conversion was no good, making the final score 38-14.

Coach Aaron Brown would say of the game:

“During the game, we were getting frustrated as a team because we have been imposing our will on the last few teams. DeKalb came in with a good game plan, and we had a few fumbles that helped them out.  I think the boys got their feelings hurt a bit because they gave up their first touchdown of the season against our starters. They pulled it together, though, and finished the game strong.  We have to get better at playing at our potential each week and finish up our regular season crisp going into the playoffs.  That’s on us as a staff to keep pushing them and make sure they don’t take anyone for granted.”

The Warriors will face Prescott on the road, on Sept. 8, as they look to go 6-0 on the season. WCMS has already wrapped up the number one seed in the playoffs. Come out and support this team.