Whitney’s postseason opener turned into a sprint from the opening whistle, and the Wildcats had just enough fuel — from stars and role players alike — to outlast Whitesboro 61–55 in a bi-district thriller Thursday night at Ellis Stadium in Irving.
Whitney led the entire way, building several double-digit leads before Whitesboro mounted a series of late rallies. A crucial defensive stop and a fourth-down conversion in the final minutes allowed the Wildcats to take a deep breath and advance to the area round.
The victory moves Whitney to 9–2 and extends the team’s winning streak to six heading into next week’s clash with Winnsboro (9-2) in Rockwall.
Whitney’s Balanced
Offense Fires Early
The Wildcats struck instantly. On the second play from scrimmage, Whitney was in the end zone, and the offense never slowed through a fast-moving first half. The blocking up front was sharp, receivers sprung key downfield seals, and Whitney used a mix of power and speed to stretch the field.
Quarterback Kobe Haynes delivered a stat-stacking performance — finishing with five rushing touchdowns (47, 7, 6, 66, and 58 yards), more than 300 total yards, and a 70-yard touchdown pass to KJ O’Hearn. He also handled all of Whitney’s conversions, adding a two-point run and three PAT kicks.
But the Wildcats’ offensive success wasn’t built on Haynes alone. Running back Jontae Johnson repeatedly punished the Bearcats, delivering long scoring bursts of his own, including a 57-yard sprint early in the second quarter and a 21-yard touchdown that helped restore momentum after a Whitesboro surge.
O’Hearn came up big on multiple possessions, including a critical fourth-down conversion in the third quarter that kept a scoring drive alive.
Defense Provides Game-Swinging Plays
Though Whitesboro found ways to score throughout the night, Whitney’s defense supplied the most important stops and turnovers. Jaxon Landrum recorded two interceptions, returning the second 29 yards for a touchdown that stretched the Wildcats’ advantage to 41–21 in the third quarter.
The front seven pressured consistently, forcing hurried throws and breaking up rhythm drives. In the fourth quarter, Whitney delivered two key stops on fourth down, securing the win.
Team Approach Sets
Tone for Postseason
Haynes’ highlight plays were undeniable, but Thursday’s win showcased how well Whitney operates as a unit. The offensive line won early downs, the receiving corps made timely plays, Johnson delivered balance, and the defense — even in a high-scoring battle — came through with the momentum-shifting moments that made the difference.
Next Up: Winnsboro Raiders
The Wildcats now face Winnsboro (9–2) at 7 p.m. on Friday in Rockwall in the Class 3A Division I area round. Winnsboro finished third in a competitive district and defeated Atlanta 28-20 in the opening round. With six straight wins and an offense firing on all cylinders, Whitney enters the matchup confident — but grounded in the team-first mentality that has carried this postseason push.
Correction from Last Week: A touchdown from Whitney’s win over West was credited to a teammate of Rex Gatlin. Gatlin grabbed the score, continuing to serve as a key component of the Wildcat receiving corps.
The Lakelander 