SOUTH WHITLEY - Gusty winds and a cold crisp air helped kick off the sectional playoffs in Indiana Friday night at Whitko High School.
Whitko won the game 34-28 in overtime.The Wildcats came from behind to send the game into overtime against the visiting Wabash Apaches, a fellow Three River Conference opponent in a the Sectional 26 opener. The Apaches came into the game looking for their second-straight win.
Gabe Starkey scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 40 seconds left on the clock to bring the score within two. Starkey then hit Gus Bouse for the 2-point conversion to tie the game at 28.
Wabash had first crack at the end zone in overtime after it ran out of clock in regulation. The Whitko defense held strong and forced the Apaches to a fourth and 10.
Wabash set up for a 25-yard field goal. Greg Lane faked the field goal and overthrew Travis Ritter in the end zone turning the ball over to Whitko.
Matt Strandlund scored the winning touchdown from the 5-yard line giving Whitko a 34-28 overtime win. Stranlund ran twice in the series gaining five yards on each carry.
"It is hard to play a team in the regular season and then face them again in the playoffs. Wabash gave us a great battle. I have to give credit to them," Whitko coach Bryan Sprunger said.
Whitko will travel to North Manchester on Oct. 26 to take on the Manchester Squires. The Squires defeated Bluffton 21-7 to advance to the next round.
Starkey led the Wildcats down field with 2:08 left in regulation and completed two big first down passes of 21 and 19, respectively. Whitko was called for motion twice on the drive.
The Wildcats finished a second straight week with 10 penalties or more.
Starkey finished the game with 10 of 26 passing for 199 yards and two touchdown passes, one on a 46-yard score to Ryan Brumbaugh to start the scoring. Starkey also finished with 16 yards on eight carries.
"Gabe did a nice job for us tonight, especially in the final drive. He showed some leadership abilities when we needed it," Sprunger said.
Whitko went into the locker room with a 14-7 lead. The Wildcats used an 18-play, 78-yard drive that ate up over 10 minutes on the clock. The drive was capped by 12-yard catch by Cort Walker. Gus Bouse converted the 2-point conversion.
Wabash's defense tightened up in the fourth quarter to switch the momentum the Apaches' way. After the Apaches cut the sore to 20-15, Bouse returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards to Wabash 10-yard line.
"Wabash gained momentum when we ran the ball to their 10 and then we fumbled the ball on the next play. At that point we just made some mistakes that turned the game around for them," Sprunger said.
On the next play Stranlund fumbled the ball and Wabash recovered the ball at their 11-yard line.
Marching down the field Brian Saunders capped an 89-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to take the lead at 21-20.
When Whitko couldn't convert on a fourth down play late in the game, Wabash got the ball back at the Wildcat 38-yard line.
Lane ran 27 yards on a delay to increase the lead to 27-20. Lane's score came on a fourth-and nine situation. Zac Denney kicked the extra point for a 28-20 lead.
"I am proud of the guys for the job they did. They didn't panic and made the plays when we had to. It was a great effort. I hope we can carry the momentum into the Manchester game next week," Sprunger said.
Manchester squeezed by Whitko earlier in the season 16-6 at Whitko's home field.
