SOUTH WHITLEY - Going into Friday night's football game between Whitko and Columbia City, the talk was of the end of this long-standing Whitley County rivalry.

This would be the last contest between these two teams, as they both will add new teams to their schedules next year. Columbia City will pick up Huntington North, while Whitko will face Leo.

But this rivalry would not end quickly, as it took two days to finish, with Columbia City walking away with a 27-20 win.

With threatening weather looming on the horizon, the Wildcats controlled the first half and outrushed the Eagles 111 yards to 74. The first quarter came to a close with neither team able to put points on the board.

It wasn't until 6:54 remaining in the second when Whitko was able to end the scoring drought as senior signal caller Nate Hart connected with tight end Nate Alspaugh for a six-yard score.

Alspaugh proved to be Hart's favorite target throughout the contest as they connected three times for 20 yards and two touchdowns.

The extra-point attempt by Doru Aldea was blocked, leaving the score 6-0 in Whitko's favor.

As the two teams entered their locker rooms at the half, the weather worsened and the spectators were asked to leave the bleachers and seek shelter.

The game was postponed at that point and the second half started Saturday at 1 p.m.

Saturday proved to be a much better day for the Eagles as they went to the air to score their first points of the game. Levi Knach was able to connect his wide receiver Kyle Rucks for a 38-yard touchdown that came 2:16 into the third quarter, but Columbia City was unable to connect on its extra-point attempt.

Not to be outdone, Whitko answered with time remaining in the third quarter. Again, Hart connected with Alspaugh for six yards and six points. This time Whitko went for the two-point conversion, but the pass attempt from Hart to John Carroll failed.

An injured Columbia City player delayed the Wildcat kickoff, and when the kickoff did take place the, results were not in the Cats' favor. Kameron Bailey's 85-yard kickoff return took 14 seconds to tie the game at 12.

Preston added the extra point, and with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the momentum and lead shifted into Columbia City's favor.

Columbia City scored the next two touchdowns when Knach connected with Rucks for a nine-yard pass and Drew Bianski ran in from 37 yards out. Preston connected on both extra points, leaving the score 27-12 with 7:46 remaining.

Whitko refused to give up, and with 1:14 left in the game, the Wildcats found the end zone as Hart found reserve back Travis Christman for the eight-yard score. Tyler Wilkinson, who led the Wildcats with 120 yards on 25 carries, found the end zone on the two point conversion.

The Wildcats attempted an on-side kick, but they fumbled it back to the Eagles on the next play, ending any hopes of scoring and a victory.

Whitko coach Bryon Sprunger would not comment after the game.

The Wildcats, now 0-2 on the season, host Three Rivers Conference foe Southwood Friday at 7 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]