Now THAT was a rivalry game

The Warriors had been waiting to find out what would happen when a game demanded all four quarters.

They found out Friday night.

White County and Cookeville traded blows in a rivalry game that had just about everything — three ties, a fourth-quarter stand, a go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds and one last scare before the Warriors escaped with a 28-21 win.

Cookeville struck first and carried a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, but White County answered before halftime to send the teams to the locker room tied at 7.

The second half started much like the first. Cookeville broke the tie midway through the third quarter on a 42-yard touchdown run, and the Cavaliers took a 14-7 advantage into the final frame.

Then the game took off.

Quarterback Tucker Pinion needed less than a minute of the fourth quarter to pull the Warriors even, scoring on a 9-yard run to make it 14-14.

Cookeville's answer was immediate — and its offense never had to take the field. The Cavaliers returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, putting White County right back in a 21-14 hole.

The Warriors responded again.

White County put together a long drive and eventually faced fourth-and-nine with the game hanging in the balance. Pinion found Bryson Hogg in the open field to keep the Warriors alive, and with five minutes remaining, White County had pulled even again at 21.

Then it was the defense's turn.

Head coach David Foster has talked throughout the early season about conditioning and building a team capable of playing four quarters. Friday night, the Warriors finally had to prove it.

They had to do it without senior Eli Smith, who sidelined with an injury earlier in the game, but with Cookeville facing fourth-and-five, White County got the stop it needed.

Three minutes remained. The Warriors had the ball near midfield. And for the first time all night, they had a chance to take the lead.

White County started taking yards off the field and seconds off the clock.

With 28 seconds remaining, Cole Sims finished the drive in the end zone. Marshall Phillips added the extra point, and after spending nearly the entire night either tied or chasing Cookeville, the Warriors suddenly led 28-21.

It wasn't over.

Eighteen seconds. 52 yards. That’s what Sparta had to defend. But Cookeville had other thoughts. One play. One score.

Then came the flag. And it all came back for a do-over. 

Two seconds. 62 yards. One play. 

But the Warriors were built for a four-quarter battle. And the defense did what it was built to do, making sure there would be no miracle finish.

The Warriors had finally been pushed for four quarters.

And when they were, they walked away with the rivalry win.