Cole Sims Rushes 2 TDs As White County Takes Down Cookeville, 21-7

By Michael Lindsay

Nearly two hours of weather delays late in the second half couldn’t stop the Battle of Highway 111 Friday evening as the White County Warriors (2-1) defended Dee Harris Field and defeated the Cookeville Cavaliers (0-3), 21-7.

“We did it one play at a time,” said White County head coach David Foster. “The lightning delay was out of our hands, but we overcame some mistakes and our kids pulled together. That’s what coach Mark Frasier and Curtis Beaty started, and I’m trying to do my part to keep it going.”

Junior running back Cole Sims rushed for two touchdowns along with a rushing score by lineman Lex Winfree in the win.

“Our receivers and linemen blocked their tails off, and we’ve got a bunch of unselfish guys,” said Foster “Our running backs ran hard. Cole has been phenomenal and is such a leader. He sets a tone that the rest of the guys look up to. Everybody here is pulling together, and the kids have bought in.”

After a scoreless first quarter, White County struck first with 6:39 remaining in the second quarter as Sims punched in an 8-yard touchdown to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead.

Cookeville responded on the ensuing kickoff as Blake Barrett returned it to the 20-yard line, setting up an Evan Banks one-yard touchdown run 3 plays later to tie the game at 7-7.

White County jumped back ahead with 55 seconds left in the first half as Sims punched in a 4-yard score to give his team a 14-7 lead entering halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, neither team found pay dirt through the first 8 minutes of the fourth quarter. Cookeville took over 1st and 10 from their own 39-yard line with 3:57 remaining when inclement weather moved into Sparta, forcing a 1 hour and 32 minute delay before action resumed at 10:28 p.m.

Cookeville was driving late until White County’s Eli Smith intercepted a Cavalier pass and returned it to the Cookeville 35-yard line with 3:36 remaining. White County put the game away later in the drive as offensive lineman Lex Winfree lined up at running back and rushed in a 3-yard touchdown with 2:14 left, giving Sparta a 21-7 advantage. The Warrior defense held off Cookeville from there to seal the victory.

White County improves to 2-1 overall and hosts Tullahoma (3-0) next week while Cookeville hosts Gallatin (2-0) to open Region 4-6A play.