Pioneers get ‘White’-washed: White County dismantles WCHS 34-0
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White County broke a scoreless tie in the final seconds of Friday’s opening quarter, opening the floodgates for what would prove to be a 34-0 victory over visiting Warren County.
The Pioneers, who fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss, managed just 59 yards of total offense and four first downs — two of which came on White County penalties — in the loss, their 22nd straight in a streak dating back to the 2000 season.
Rushing for just 34 yards and passing for 25, Warren County was forced to punt eight times, and never got closer than 40 yards from the White County goal line at any point in the game.
Warren County’s defense held its ground early, overcoming a distinct size disadvantage in the trenches to force White County to go three-and-out on its first two possessions of the game. But the Pioneer offense also was unable to convert a first down early, going three-and-out on its own first two tries.
White County changed its offensive formation late in the first period, spreading the field with four wideouts and taking to the air to move rapidly down the field. With the threat of the passing game established, the Warriors then went to their powerful ground game, and Zack Buckner broke the scoreless tie with a 23-yard run with 41 seconds to play in the quarter.
The Warriors struck for two more touchdowns late in the half. After a 31-yard pass from quarterback Josh Lowery to Jimmy Cannon followed by a 12-yard run from Buckner gave White County first-and-goal, Dell Lewis punched his way in from the 2-yard line. Lowery found Seth England for a 2-point conversion, putting the home squad on top 14-0.
A 23-yard keeper from Lowery and a 12-yard pass to Cannon helped set up the final TD of the half, as Lowery and England connected again from nine yards out. Rett Rowland added the PAT to give the Warriors a 21-0 lead at intermission.
Warren County’s defense turned in a strong performance on White County’s first possession of the third quarter, stopping the Warriors after a first-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
But the Pioneer offense went three-and-out on the first three of its four second-half possessions, leading to a fatigued defensive unit which allowed a 58-yard drive which ran most of the fourth quarter off the clock before Sparta’s Brandon Marshall scored from the 4-yard line to seal the win.
Buckner finished with 81 yards on just eight carries to lead the Warriors, who went 0-10 a year ago but now stand at 3-1 on the season. White County ran for 209 yards on 36 attempts, while Lowery passed for 173 yards, completing 14 of 19 passes.
Jimmy Cunningham — with 30 yards on seven carries — was the leading rusher for the Pioneers, who travel to Cookeville next Friday.