There were plenty of tricks, but the Whitney Wildcats had all the treats Friday night.
On the eve of Halloween, Kobe Haynes and the Wildcats put on a frightening offensive display, piling up 56 first-half points before cruising to a 77-27 victory over Groesbeck on homecoming and Senior Night at Wildcat Stadium.
Haynes orchestrated the dominating performance, accounting for 10 touchdowns, eight of which came in the first half with four scoring runs and six touchdown passes. Meanwhile, Whitney’s defense delivered a nightmare of its own, forcing three turnovers, eight sacks and coming up with an early goal-line stand.
The victory moved Whitney to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in District 6-3A Division I, securing the Wildcats’ second consecutive district championship. Whitney has now won 11 straight district games dating back to the 2024 season.
The defense set the tone early, eating up sacks like candy and stuffing the Goats. The Wildcats held the Goats out of the end zone on a goal-line stand, setting the stage for Haynes to deliver the night’s first big scare.
Taking the snap at the 1-yard line, Haynes broke through the defense and danced 99 yards for a touchdown, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
Following another punt from Groesbeck, Whitney quickly added to the advantage when Haynes connected with Fisher Watson for a 60-yard touchdown pass. The defense then came up with another big play as sophomore Tristan Stadelmaier intercepted a Groesbeck pass to set up the Wildcats.
Haynes finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Wildcats kept the fright fest going in the second quarter. After forcing Groesbeck to turn the ball over on downs in the red zone, Haynes broke loose for another long touchdown run, this time covering 75 yards to make it 28-0.
Whitney’s defense continued to wreak havoc, collecting seven first-half sacks before Colt Poore grabbed a duck in the air midway through the second quarter to set up another scoring drive. Haynes capped it with a 9-yard touchdown run, extending the advantage to 35-0.
Groesbeck finally broke through with a long touchdown pass, but Whitney quickly answered. Haynes found Watson, who dazzled downfield for a 52-yard touchdown to make it 42-7.
The Wildcats weren’t finished handing out the first-half frights. Another Groesbeck punt sparked Haynes a connection with KJ O’Hearn for a long touchdown. A penalty negated the score, however. But on the next play, Haynes found Jacaiden Overstreet for a 50-yard scoring reception. Then Whitney’s Jaxon Landrum intercepted a Groesbeck pass, and Haynes capitalized again. The senior spread the touchdown love to O’Hearn, sending the Wildcats into the locker room with a daunting 56-7 lead.
Whitney’s football frenzy continued in the second half. Josh Richters continued the scoring spree with a hard-nose, 12-yard touchdown run. The defense showed no mercy, and the Wildcats kept firing with a 78-yard touchdown screen-and-sprint from Haynes to junior Rex Gatlin. It was Gatlin’s ninth score on the year.
Down 70-7, Groesbeck answered with a passing touchdown, but Haynes and O’Hearn connected for a dump pass that resulted in another long scoring play, pushing the Whitney advantage to 77-14 in the third quarter. It was a record-breaking tenth touchdown on the night for Haynes and his 61st score in eight games played this season.
The Wildcats’ defense continued to battle, while Groesbeck added two late touchdown passes to account for the final 77-27 score.
With the district championship secured, Whitney now turns its attention to the regular-season finale at West next week. The Wildcats will look to finish district play unbeaten before beginning another postseason run.
Player of the Game
Kobe Haynes once again delivered a dramatic display, accounting 10 touchdowns with four rushing scores and six touchdown passes to four different receivers.
His 99-yard touchdown run to kick off the blowout highlighted another explosive night for the Whitney quarterback, who continues to lead one of the state’s most dangerous offenses.
Whitney’s KJ O’Hearn races toward the end zone against the Groesbeck Goats. The senior continues to play a leading role on Whitney’s deep and dangerous receiving corps.
