Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ROCHESTER - On a rain soaked field Friday night, the Whitko defense held strong in the first quarter, holding Rochester scoreless on its first two possessions.
The second quarter, however, was a totally different story and Rochester scored three unanswered touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead at halftime en route to a 21-2 win over the visiting Wildcats.
Whitko scored its only two points on a safety early in the third quarter to prevent the shutout.
Whitko struggled early on offense, punting on its first three possessions.
Rochester found success on its third possession when quarterback Matty Miller converted a key fourth-and-1 to extend the Zebra drive. Miller later found the endzone from one yard out, while the Zebras faced another 4th down.
On their next possession, the Zebras scored their second touchdown of the night when Miller went to the air and found wide out Aaron Fornal for a 58-yard gain. The play set up a seven-yard sweep by Cory Meadows. Rochester finished its scoring in the quarter, and on the night, by going deep into the playbook.
Miller connected on a pass to Evan Runkle, who connected down field with Tyler Frounfelter for a 26-yard scoring strike. Matt Schafer was able to connect on all three point after attempts to give the Zebras their 21 point halftime led.
The Wildcat defense did show signs of hope in the second half. After losing 24 yards on its first three plays in the second half, Rochester was forced to punt. A bad snap helped Whitko score its only points of the night when the Wildcat defense was unable to recover the ball in the enzone before it left the field of play, causing the safety.
With both teams going scoreless in the fourth quarter, Whitko's hopes of winning the Three Rivers Conference championship were dashed.
The loss dropped Whitko to 4-4 overall and 4-2 in TRC play. Rochester improved to 5-3 overall and 5-1 in conference action.
Both offenses struggled throughout the contest, with Rochester only totaling 146 yards of offense to Whitko's 119.
Whitko's special teams struggled in the punting game. The 'Cats punted six times for an average of 22.2 yards.
The short field, coupled with Whitko's inablitity to move the football on offense, proved key in the loss.
Whitko travels to Tippecanoe Valley Friday.
The Vikings have already clinched at least a share of the Three Rivers Conference championship.
