 Corey Gates and the Wildcat offensive line paved the way for an epic night for Kendall Conley.
(Staff Photo by Christopher Whitewater looks primed for a special season and they aren't afraid to squash another team's big plans in the process. The Wildcats dominated from the outset, giving the McIntosh Chiefs their second loss of the season in a 48-13 victory.
Quite simply, this game turned into the Kendall Conley Show. Conley, the star running back for Whitewater and member of the Super 12, was unstoppable. The only thing that kept him out of the end zone was resting in the second half with the game under control. Conley racked up 250 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just eight carries...in the first half. It was a truly special performance.
"I don't know how you can do much better than that," said Whitewater coach Amos McCreary. "Kendall is a special running back. I couldn't be any happier for any kid."
Conley missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but has made up for lost time so far this season. The team knows that it's not just their star back making the highlights happen though. "The offensive line has blown holes open all year long," praised McCreary.
Conley got things started quickly, taking a dire third and twelve snap and flying by the defense for a 76 yard touchdown. Austin Barnard's extra point put Whitewater ahead 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.
McIntosh looked ready to answer back, picking up 13 yards on their first play on a pass from Andrew Johnson to Duke Kinamon.
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, the Wildcats had another star performer ready to shine. Colton Clemons got his big paw on a pass, tipping it up in the air then hauling it in for an interception and returning it 44 yards for a touchdown. Clemons started the second half the same way, tipping a pass and picking it off but that touchdown would be negated by penalty.
Clemons and his linebackers had a big game thanks in large part to the defensive linemen dominating in the trenches. The defense held a strong McIntosh offense in check all night. "Up front those guys did a great job. They let our linebackers run and make plays," McCreary said. "We held the pass down pretty well. That was one of the things we were really concerned about heading into the game."
Whitewater's offense picked up right where they left off on their second drive. Christian Wafford started it off with a 24 yard run on the first play. The drive looked to be stonewalled when Conley picked up five yards on a fourth and one. Quarterback Jay Ashley kept the chains moving again with a 21 yard scramble on third and fifteen deep in Chief territory. Conley finished it off with a six yard touchdown to put the Cats ahead 20-0 just into the second quarter.
Malik Harris's big sack ended the ensuing McIntosh drive. Conley had another special run in store for Whitewater's turn as he raced 66 yards to paydirt.
The Wildcats had one more bullet ready with just thirteen seconds left till halftime. Kendall Conley did it again, this time flying by the Chiefs en route to a 80 yard touchdown and a 34-0 halftime lead.
"The way we came out and played early, everything went our way," said McCreary. "When you take an interception back for a touchdown and break two or three big runs, it puts pressure on the other team. It's hard when you're chasing speed."
McIntosh suffered another blow on their opening drive of the second half. Quarterback Andrew Johnson was pressured and had his second pass tipped and intercepted by Colton Clemons. Worse for the Chiefs, Johnson was knocked out of the game with a possible concussion.
Whitewater started in the shadow of the goalpost thanks to the interception and quickly scored on a four yard Christian Wafford touchdown to make it 41-0.
Duke Kinamon filled in superbly at quarterback for Johnson, leading the Chiefs to two second half touchdowns. The first came when Kinamon found a wide open Brian Floyd in the back of the end zone for a 32 yard touchdown. The second was set up by a 31 yard pass to Josh Ange down to the two yard line. Duke punched it in from there. Kinamon completed three of four passes for 87 yards while adding 31 yards on the ground.
Whitewater tallied one more touchdown on a a four yard jump ball from Austin Penland to Jonathan Womack.
The Wildcats dominated the game on the ground, racking up 346 yards rushing to McIntosh's 67. The Chiefs would pick up 121 yards passing.
Whitewater hits the road this week to play Creekside in a battle for region supremacy. McIntosh hosts Starr's Mill. |
