JoJo Dowell returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a White County touchdown, setting the tone for the Warriors’ 27-10 victory over the Tullahoma Wildcats Friday night at Wilkins Stadium.
Tullahoma (1-3) has now lost two straight games and will try to bounce back Friday when it travels to Nolensville to take on the undefeated Knights. Nolensville beat Blackman 38-21 last Friday for its fourth consecutive win. Coverage begins with Friday Night Thunder at 6 pm, with kickoff at 7 on 93.9 The Duck.
The Wildcats answered the bell after Dowell’s opening return, driving 76 yards in nine plays to score on a one-yard plunge by senior Dominick Harris. The Cats used almost four minutes, and Aiden Walker’s PAT tied the score with 7:38 remaining in the first quarter.
Senior QB Patrick Riddle connected with junior Landin Johnson for an eight-yard gain, followed by three Harris runs for 21 yards. Riddle found Johnson again for 27 yards, then Mason Brim for 19, setting Harris up for his touchdown.
White County’s first possession ended with a punt after Wildcat senior Beau Williams and sophomore Graysen Harden combined to throw Warrior running back Cole Sims for a three-yard loss.
After a short White County punt, Tullahoma started at the Warriors’ 46-yard line. Riddle ran for 17 yards and was hit out of bounds late, adding 15 more yards to send the Cats to the 14. A high snap cost Tullahoma 20 yards, and Walker missed a 51-yard field goal attempt.
The Warriors took the lead for good early in the second quarter after driving 80 yards on 11 plays, with Sims scoring on a five-yard run with 11:21 left in the first half. The teams swapped turnovers, with Tullahoma fumbling first, then junior Gabe DeLaughter intercepting Warrior quarterback Tucker Pinion.
Riddle found Harris for a 34-yard completion, but the Cats couldn’t sustain the drive and punted. White County added to its lead with a 77-yard drive in seven plays, scoring on a 50-yard pass from Pinion to Sims.
After another Wildcat punt, Harden intercepted Pinion and returned it 23 yards to the Warrior 43. A holding penalty stopped the drive, but Walker stroked a 36-yard field goal to cut the White County lead to 20-10 at halftime.
The Warriors recovered a Tullahoma fumble on the first play of the second half, but DeLaughter and senior Elijah Alexander threw Sims for a loss on fourth down. Another holding penalty slowed the Wildcat drive, and it ended in a missed 42-yard field goal attempt.
On first down and five, Harden forced a Sims fumble, and junior Giovanny Barragain recovered at the White County 32-yard line.
Junior Brady Scott stepped in at quarterback, but the visitors stopped the Cats at the 20. The Warriors added insurance with a 79-yard, nine-play drive that used almost five minutes, scoring on a two-yard run by Sims.
The Wildcats turned the ball over again on their final drive, and White County ran out the clock.
Riddle completed 12-of-21 passes for 135 yards and ran seven times for minus-12. Shepherd, Harris, and Johnson each had four catches, with Harris leading the team with 60 yards. He also led the Wildcat ground game with 49 yards on 13 carries and the touchdown.
Alexander and Michael Palmer led Tullahoma on defense with eight tackles each. Harden had seven tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble to earn the Midtown Nutrition Player of the Game.
White County gained 280 total yards, with Pinion racking up 190 rushing and passing yards, while the Wildcats were held to 172 total yards after gaining only 73 yards.
