Sports writer: Brent Cook
September 21, 2023
Whitney wins district battle 32-10…
The Whitney Wildcats passed a district test with flying colors Friday night, dismantling and dissecting the rival West Trojans by a score of 32-10.
Taking the field in front of a capacity crown at Wildcat Stadium, Whitney immediately implemented its proven formula of a storming defense and a lightning offensive attack.
The Trojans took the opening kickoff and the Wildcats quickly forced a three-and-out.
Then on Whitney’s first play from scrimmage, Mason Seely spotted speedster Marcus Wilson along the sideline for a 78-yard score.
The crowd went wild and the rest was history. Wilson finished a highlight reel performance with 190 yards and four touchdown catches on the night to help the Wildcats remain undefeated on the season at 4-0.
Whitney now sits in prime position for a playoff push with a 2-0 district record, while West slipped to 1-2 on the year and 0-1 in district. The Wildcats have the week off, which will give the team time to rest and reflect on the hot start to the 2023 season.
So far, teams have struggled to gain traction against a dominating Whitney defense that has produced turnovers, sacks and bruising hits on the regular. Friday night was no different against the typically solid West Trojans. Led by linebackers David Haynes III and Teagan Winkler, the Wildcats held West to under 200 yards in the game.
Following the Whitney score, the defense stopped West on a fourth down, which allowed Seely to carve up the defense. Seely continued his solid start to the year, racking up 300 yards passing in the game. Completions to Jairdyn Anderson and Kaden Tanner set up a 26-yard scoring toss to Wilson.
Whitney launched into the second quarter with a 13-0 lead and delivered another blow to the Trojans as they tried to move down the field. A fumbled snap and deflected pass inside the 5-yard line led to a missed field goal from West, and Whitney capitalized on the momentum. On the next play, sophomore Jontae Johnson found a sliver and spilt the defense for a spectacular 80-yard rushing touchdown.
With a 19-0 lead going into the second half, the Wildcats fed West false hope with a couple of third-quarter turnovers, including a fumble recovery on the kickoff. The Trojans only needed 10 yards to score, but the defense pieced together an impressive stop and forced a field goal.
West had a second chance to convert a turnover, but the Wildcats stood tall and added some cushion to the scoreboard. Seely and Wilson teamed up again on consecutive drives for their third and fourth touchdowns on the night.
The Wildcats coasted in the fourth quarter and celebrated 32-3 advantage. The teams traded interceptions before West eventually scored a feel-good touchdown with less then two minutes to play.
Whitney will return to action on September 29 with an out-of-town match up against Dallas Madison (2-2, 2-0). West and Dallas Madison are set to square off this Friday night in West.
The Lakelander 