In a gritty showdown following a loss to Fort Worth Benbrook, the Whitney Wildcats (2-1) emerged victorious with a 23-14 win over their Hill County rival, Hillsboro, on Friday night at Wildcat Stadium in the Battle of Hill County.
The game proved to be a hard-fought battle, with the Wildcats digging deep to secure the win.
After a back-and-forth start to the game, Whitney took control in the third quarter to go up 20-0. Hillsboro fought back, exploiting Whitney’s mistakes and mounting a late rally, but crucial plays by the Wildcats’ defense, including an interception by sophomore DB Jake Lessman, prevented a full comeback.
“I’m just proud of the way our guys played for four quarters,” Whitney Head Coach David Haynes Jr. told the Waco Tribune-Herald following the game. “We faced adversity, got backed up, but kept fighting. It was a bend-but-don’t-break mentality, and I’m proud of our kids.”
The Wildcats, who struggled offensively in the first half, managed to break the deadlock with 11 seconds before halftime. A 10-yard pass from quarterback Mason Seely to Kaden Tanner and a subsequent 14-yard touchdown reception by Dalton Neagle provided the breakthrough Whitney needed. The Wildcats led 6-0 at the half after a missed extra point.
In the third quarter, Whitney extended their lead with a 10-yard touchdown run by Seely and a 23-yard touchdown pass to Tanner, making it 20-0. Hillsboro finally responded with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Moses Rangel to Darrian Hodge, but the extra point was blocked.
The Eagles, not giving up easily, scored again on a 4-yard run by Quinton Latimore and converted a 2-point attempt to cut the lead to 20-11. However, Whitney’s defense held firm despite a fumbled snap and multiple penalties that gave Hillsboro additional opportunities. Lessman’s interception with just over a minute left sealed the game for the Wildcats.
“They’re fast and athletic,” Haynes said of the Hillsboro defense. “Their No. 26, Jayden McGruder, is a standout player. We had to adjust our blocking scheme around him.”
Hillsboro’s defense was also formidable, limiting Whitney’s offensive attack. Despite over 100 yards of offense in the first half, Hillsboro struggled with turnovers and missed opportunities. An interception by Anthony Brown and a subsequent drive failed to yield points, as Whitney managed to regain control and capitalize.
Looking ahead, Haynes emphasized the importance of every game as a stepping stone for the playoffs. “We treat every game like a playoff game. We’ve got Rogers next week, and they’re tough. We also have Academy coming up, followed by a bye week and then opening district play with Grandview. Every week is crucial as we prepare for a strong district run and hopefully asuccessful playoff campaign.”
Player of the Game
This week’s player of the game is sophomore Jake Lessman. The defensive back grabbed a game-sealing interception to squash Hillsboro’s hopes of a comeback.
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