SOUTH WHITLEY -ÊAfter a loss to county rival Columbia City last week, it was clear that Whitko wanted to get off to a good start in Three Rivers Conference play as the Wildcats hosted Southwood Friday night.

Whitko dominated recent history against the Knights, winning the last three in a row. Friday night was no exception.

In typical Whitko football tradition the Wildcats, rushed for a total of 329 yards while cruising to a 41-12 victory.

The Wildcats got on the board early on a play set up by Tyler Wilkinson. Wilkinson's first carry went 23 yards. But it was the very next play from scrimmage where Jarad Eberly found the endzone on a 46-yard run with more than 10 minutes left on the clock in the first quarter.

"It was important that we come out and establish ourselves early by running the football," said long time Wildcat coach Bryan Sprunger.

Whitko continued to rush its way to victory.

The next Wildcat score was capped off by senior tailback Wilkinson. Wilkinson took the pitch from quarterback Nate Hart and scored the Wildcats second touchdown of the night. Whitko kicker Doru Aldea connected on his extra point attempt, giving the Wildcats a 14 -point lead with 4:47 left in the first quarter.

Southwood found the board for the first time in the second quarter when Whitko had a costly penalty for running into the kicker, giving the Knights the ball back and a fresh set of downs. Southwood only needed the first down as the Knights capitalized on a 59-yard reverse by Evan Wood. Kyle McCoart missed the extra point to leave Southwood trailing by eight.

The only other score in the second quarter came from Wilkinson on a 14-yard run for the Wildcats, and after adding Aldea's extra point the Wildcats took a 21-6 lead.

The second half saw more Wildcat domination on both sides of the ball.

After forcing a Southwood punt, Brad Smith's return put the 'Cats starting point on the Knight 31.

Eberly capped off the Whitko drive with a 5-yard run and Aldea connected on his fourth point after attempt to give Whitko a 28-6 lead, closing the door on any hopes of a Southwood rally. Whitko's defense would increase the pressure on Southwood's already unproductive offense by holding the Knights to negative-seven total yards on their next possession.

Whitko continued its scoring ways by going to the air when Hart connected with tight end Nate Alspaugh for 39 yards. Aldea had his first missed extra point of the night, and Whitko took a commanding 34-6 led into the final quarter of play.

Whitko began to give some of their reserves varsity experience in the final quarter, and in doing so gave up another score to the visiting Knights.

Southwood signal caller Spencer Dawson connected with Evan Wood for a 37-yard pass play with 3:23 left in the game. Southwood did not give up and tried the two-point conversion attempt but Dawson's pass fell incomplete.

Whitko's reserve signal caller Brad Smith would not be outdone. Showing good speed, Smith broke down the sideline for 64 yards only to be caught on the 1-yard line. Smith was rewarded for his effort when a quarterback keeper called on the next play allowed him to score from the one. Aldea added his fifth extra-point of the night making the final score 41-12.

The Wildcats relied heavily on the rushing of Wilkinson who finished with 118 yards and two touchdowns. Eberly kept a close pace finishing just one yard shy of a 100-yard night of his own. Sprunger captured his 130th career win, and a convincing conference victory.

After the game Sprunger expressed concerned about the penalty yards his Wildcats tallied.

"We made a lot of mistakes, but the kids played hard. We can't get frustrated with our mistakes."

Whitko, now 1-2 on the season and 1-0 in TRC play, will travel to North Manchester next Friday night to face the Squires. Manchester, under first year head coach Brandon Baker, will look for its first win of the season against the Wildcats. [[In-content Ad]]