The Whitewater Whippets traveled to Juneau Friday night to take on the Dodgeland Trojans in their non-conference season opener. After a slow start offensively, the Whippets found their rhythm in the second quarter and led 28-6 at the half before the game was suspended at halftime due to weather.
Whitewater moved the ball effectively from the opening kickoff, but the first two drives stalled, with one ending in a punt and the other in a turnover on downs. The Whippet defense was stout throughout the opening quarter, but the Trojans managed to find the end zone late in the quarter to take a 6-0 lead.
On the final play of the first quarter, senior quarterback Ty Bucholtz connected with senior wide receiver Emmett Spear for a 24-yard completion. The big play helped spark the Whippet offense, which came alive in the second quarter behind a dominant rushing performance from senior Brady Friend.
To open the second quarter, Bucholtz used his legs for a 16-yard run before Friend carried the ball twice, pounding his way down to the Trojan 9-yard line. From there, Bucholtz found Spear in the corner of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown pass. Spear added the extra point, giving Whitewater its first lead of the night at 7-6.
From that point on, it was all Whippets.
The Whitewater defense forced a three-and-out, and following the punt, the Whippets took over at their own 44-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Friend found a crease and broke loose for a 33-yard gain. Whitewater stayed on the ground from there, picking up runs of 11 and 7 yards before Friend finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. Spear's extra point was good, extending the Whippet lead to 14-6.
The Whippet defense continued to dominate on the next Trojan possession, forcing another three-and-out. A huge sack by junior defensive lineman Henry Brockwell helped stop the drive, and a short punt gave Whitewater possession at the Trojan 29-yard line.
The Whippets were pushed back to the 39-yard line following their lone penalty of the night, but it didn't matter. On the ensuing play, Friend found an opening created by effective blocking from the offensive line and raced 39 yards for another touchdown. Spear's extra point made it 21-6.
On the next Trojan possession, the Whippet defense once again stood tall. Following a sack by junior defensive lineman Colton Hilgen, Dodgeland was forced to punt.
Whitewater took over at its own 36-yard line, and Friend wasted no time making an impact. On the first play of the drive, he broke loose for a 47-yard run, taking the ball down to the Trojan 19-yard line. On the next play, Bucholtz found Spear for their second touchdown connection of the night, this one covering 19 yards.
Spear's extra point gave the Whippets a commanding 28-6 lead heading into halftime.
The game was suspended at halftime due to weather, with the continuation originally scheduled for Saturday night. On Saturday, Whitewater was notified that Dodgeland would be unable to complete the game, resulting in the Whippets being awarded a 28-6 victory.
Defensively, Micaiah Cartwright led the Whippets with 4.5 tackles. Junior defensive linemen Colton Hilgen and Henry Brockwell each recorded a sack as the Whippet defense held the Trojans to just six points.
Friend led the Whippet offense with a tremendous first-half performance, rushing 17 times for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Bucholtz was perfect through the air, completing all three of his pass attempts for 52 yards and two touchdowns. Spear was the lone Whippet receiver with a catch, finishing with three receptions for 52 yards and two touchdowns.
The Whippets are back in action Friday, Aug. 28, when they host the Jefferson Eagles. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at WHS.