Wildcats Fall To Zebras
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Cliff Tanner-
The Zebras used trick plays and domination of the line of scrimmage to defeat Whitko 40-12 to guarantee at least a share of the conference title.[[In-content Ad]]With Tippecanoe Valley defeating North Miami 35-0 Friday, Rochester was put in sole possession of first place. The Zebras face North Miami next week. A win in that game would give the Zebras an outright title. If Rochester loses to North Miami and Valley defeats Whitko, there would be a three-way champion crowned.
But while Rochester was looking for a title, Whitko came out of the locker room with an upset in mind.
The Zebras drove to the 3-yard line late in the first quarter, highlight by a 51-yard pass from Brody Schoen to Carter Walley. The Wildcat defense held the Zebras tough on the goal line and forced the Zebras to run three plays before they scored the first touchdown of the game when Brandon Stuart punched in from one yard out.
"We did not come out with our heads on straight tonight. Each and every player is expected to give his best at all times," Whitko coach Bryan Sprunger said.
Only down 7-0 in the second quarter, Whitko sacked Schoen for an 18-yard loss, bringing up a fourth-and-23 situation for the Zebras. In that situation, Travis Rom took a short hike on the punt and threw a 34-yard pass to Jason Strem that seemed to let the sails out of Whitko's boat.
On the next play Schoen hit Walley in the end zone from the 11-yard line. The extra point was denied after a high snap forced the Zebras to attempt the two-point conversion.
Rochester scored on its next two drives, going into the locker room with a 26-0 lead. Stuart and Zach Smith each scored on runs. Smith scored from 53 yards out and Stuart from 18 yards.
Smith led all runners with 74 yards on seven carries and Stuart gained 51 on 12 carries Stuart also finished with two touchdowns.
Rochester came out of the locker room after halftime and surrounded midfield for its warm-ups, upsetting the Wildcat fans. They began to yell at the Whitko football team as they came out onto the field, chanting "Take back your own field" at the coaches and players.
Whitko made an about face in the second half.
Rochester methodically marched down the field with the second half kickoff to the 24-yard line. On the next play the Wildcats defense threw Schoen for 12-yard loss bring up fourth down, forcing Rochester to punt.
After being called for a false start penalty, sophomore quarter Gabe Starkey threw an interception to give the ball back to the Zebras. On the next play Schoen hit Derek Nelson for a 36-yard touchdown.
"Gabe is young and has improved. He still tends to try and make plays and ends up forcing a turnover or making big mistakes. He will improve as time goes on," Sprunger said.
Whitko then drove 78 yards on 18 plays for their first score early in the fourth quarter. Matt Strundland dove from the one for the Wildcat score. Whitko used up over nine minutes on the drive.
"I am proud of the way the kids came out and played in the second half. We played with them and we put together a couple of good drives," Sprunger said.
Starkey thrilled the Wildcat fans late in the fourth. Taking the snap with less than one second left in the game Starkey ran to the left sideline as the horn blew the game over. Chase Stouder stood in the back of the end zone and made a leaping catch to score on an 18-yard pass for the final play of the game.
"We need to put together a much better game all around. We will work on it this week," Sprunger said.
The Zebras used trick plays and domination of the line of scrimmage to defeat Whitko 40-12 to guarantee at least a share of the conference title.[[In-content Ad]]With Tippecanoe Valley defeating North Miami 35-0 Friday, Rochester was put in sole possession of first place. The Zebras face North Miami next week. A win in that game would give the Zebras an outright title. If Rochester loses to North Miami and Valley defeats Whitko, there would be a three-way champion crowned.
But while Rochester was looking for a title, Whitko came out of the locker room with an upset in mind.
The Zebras drove to the 3-yard line late in the first quarter, highlight by a 51-yard pass from Brody Schoen to Carter Walley. The Wildcat defense held the Zebras tough on the goal line and forced the Zebras to run three plays before they scored the first touchdown of the game when Brandon Stuart punched in from one yard out.
"We did not come out with our heads on straight tonight. Each and every player is expected to give his best at all times," Whitko coach Bryan Sprunger said.
Only down 7-0 in the second quarter, Whitko sacked Schoen for an 18-yard loss, bringing up a fourth-and-23 situation for the Zebras. In that situation, Travis Rom took a short hike on the punt and threw a 34-yard pass to Jason Strem that seemed to let the sails out of Whitko's boat.
On the next play Schoen hit Walley in the end zone from the 11-yard line. The extra point was denied after a high snap forced the Zebras to attempt the two-point conversion.
Rochester scored on its next two drives, going into the locker room with a 26-0 lead. Stuart and Zach Smith each scored on runs. Smith scored from 53 yards out and Stuart from 18 yards.
Smith led all runners with 74 yards on seven carries and Stuart gained 51 on 12 carries Stuart also finished with two touchdowns.
Rochester came out of the locker room after halftime and surrounded midfield for its warm-ups, upsetting the Wildcat fans. They began to yell at the Whitko football team as they came out onto the field, chanting "Take back your own field" at the coaches and players.
Whitko made an about face in the second half.
Rochester methodically marched down the field with the second half kickoff to the 24-yard line. On the next play the Wildcats defense threw Schoen for 12-yard loss bring up fourth down, forcing Rochester to punt.
After being called for a false start penalty, sophomore quarter Gabe Starkey threw an interception to give the ball back to the Zebras. On the next play Schoen hit Derek Nelson for a 36-yard touchdown.
"Gabe is young and has improved. He still tends to try and make plays and ends up forcing a turnover or making big mistakes. He will improve as time goes on," Sprunger said.
Whitko then drove 78 yards on 18 plays for their first score early in the fourth quarter. Matt Strundland dove from the one for the Wildcat score. Whitko used up over nine minutes on the drive.
"I am proud of the way the kids came out and played in the second half. We played with them and we put together a couple of good drives," Sprunger said.
Starkey thrilled the Wildcat fans late in the fourth. Taking the snap with less than one second left in the game Starkey ran to the left sideline as the horn blew the game over. Chase Stouder stood in the back of the end zone and made a leaping catch to score on an 18-yard pass for the final play of the game.
"We need to put together a much better game all around. We will work on it this week," Sprunger said.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092