By Michael Lindsay
The White County Warriors won their second-ever playoff game Friday evening as they defeated Red Bank in the Class 4A opening round, 31-6.
“Our kids did what we asked them to do,” said White County head coach Curtis Beaty. “They worked hard all week and executed; our kids have been battled-tested and produced a product we’re proud of.”
Four different Warriors found the end zone Friday in the victory.
“Everybody calls us a one-trick pony with Tripp (Pinion), and he’s earned that right, but these kids play hard for each other and believe they’re a good team,” added Beaty.
Isaiah Kelso opened the scoring as he took the game’s second offensive play 47 yards for a touchdown to give White County a 7-0 lead less than 1 minute into the game.
Red Bank responded with 4:29 remaining in the opening frame via a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut their deficit to 7-6 after one quarter.
White County extended their lead to 8 points with 10:37 remaining in the second quarter as Mr. Football finalist quarterback Tripp Pinion rushed in a 6-yard touchdown to give the Warriors a 14-6 advantage, a lead that would stand until halftime.
The Warrior defense stepped up in the third quarter as Darvon Richmond intercepted a Red Bank pass deep in White County territory to set up a Sparta drive capped off by a Noah Skeith field goal to make the score 17-6 with 4:11 left in the third.
After forcing a punt on the ensuing drive, White County’s Demarious Dowell took a jet sweep pass from Pinion 88 yards for a touchdown to give the Warriors a 24-6 lead entering the fourth quarter.
White County found the end zone once in the fourth quarter as an Eli Smith interception set up a touchdown rush by Cole Sims to make the final score 31-6 in favor of White County.
The Warriors improve to 9-2 overall and will play at Loudon (11-0) next week in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.
“We’re excited and we have to play our brand of football,” said Beaty. “We have to run the ball and continue to play well on defense. We have to go on the road and just play.”
