Whitney’s chase for a championship ended in a flash as the Wildcats faced off against a ferocious Winnsboro team this past Friday at Kaufman Stadium.
With a fast and furious start, Winnsboro flew around the field and never gave the Wildcats a chance. The Red Raiders, now 13-0 on the year, racked up two scores, an onside kick recovery and a field goal in the first eight minutes to establish an unsurmountable advantage.
It was the biggest deficit the Wildcats had faced all season, and despite Whitney’s fight to keep pace, Winnsboro cruised to a 72-17 victory in the third round of the 3A-Division 1 playoffs.
The game closed the curtain on a record-setting run from this year’s Wildcats, including the Sweet 16 postseason appearance.
Reaching the third round of the playoffs for just the third time in school history, the Wildcats finished with an 11-2 record. The team’s effort this season further elevated Whitney’s reputation as a school to be reckoned with in Texas high school football.
Led by a determined group of senior athletes, the Wildcats have reached the playoffs in the past three straight seasons. After falling in the second round the previous two years, this year’s squad was able to take the step to the next level under the leadership of Coach David Haynes.
The Wildcats dominated opponents throughout the season, but Winnsboro proved to be too much to handle.
Following the Raiders’ opening 17-0 scoring spree, the Wildcats regrouped to recover another onside attempt. The Whitney offense then went to work.
Quarterback Mason Seely quickly spotted senior Marcus Wilson along the sideline. Wilson hauled in the pass and sprinted to a 36-yard touchdown. Whitney’s momentum was quelled, though, as Winnsboro needed just six plays to stretch the lead to 24-7.
Still, the Wildcats kept clawing. Attempting to slow down the Raiders, Whitney pieced together an impressive offensive drive at the start of the second quarter that resulted in a 29-yard field goal from Carson Griffin.
Down 24-10, the Wildcats remained hopeful. But the Raiders kept firing and exploded for three more touchdowns to close out the half.
Whitney returned from the locker room determined to cut into the lead. On the opening drive of the second half, Seely located Wilson once again. This time, Wilson took off for a 60-yard touchdown.
Wilson finished with 103 receiving yards, while Seely totaled 189 yards through the air. Jontae Johnson led the Whitney rushing attack, which was limited to 86 yards.
The remainder of the second half turned into an extended highlight reel for Winnsboro. The Raiders were able to add four more scores and eclipse 700 total yards.
Winnsboro will now clash with the Malakoff Tigers, who are undefeated and ranked second in 3A-Division 1. Malakoff easily showed Grandview the exit door on Friday with a 42-7 victory.
Kickoff for the regional final is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Forney.
The Lakelander 