Pretty doesn’t matter: Warriors move to 4-0

The White County Warriors headed to Tullahoma Friday night and came home with exactly what they went looking for — another win.

White County defeated the Wildcats 27-10, improving to 4-0 on the season.

The game started slowly, as has been the case for the Warriors through the first four weeks. At this point, though, we know that is part of head coach David Foster’s plan. White County keeps delivering the body blows, pounding the football at a defense while the Warriors’ own defense works through its adjustments.

Then they go to work.

A 7-7 game after the first quarter turned into a 20-10 White County lead by halftime.

The third quarter, however, was a different story. Neither team seemed able to take advantage when an opportunity landed in its hands.

The Wildcats fumbled on the opening possession of the second half, giving White County an early chance to add to its lead. Instead, Tullahoma’s defense held, getting the ball back on downs.

With starting quarterback Riddle shaken up on the fumble, the Wildcats turned to their backup and quickly moved the ball down the field. A Warrior defense that had been pushed backward dug in, forced a field-goal attempt, and watched the kick miss.

White County gave the ball right back with a fumble before crossing midfield. Again, the Warrior defense answered, forcing Tullahoma to turn it over on downs.

After twelve minutes of second half play, the times had managed to do nothing more than swap the ball back and forth. 

The score finally changed four minutes into the fourth quarter when Cole Sims found the end zone. Marshall Phillips added the extra point, pushing White County’s lead to 27-10.

From there, the Warriors simply had to finish it.

White County forced another turnover on downs before giving the ball back the same way. Then, with just over two minutes remaining, the Warriors recovered their fourth Tullahoma fumble of the night.

Like the previous three, that turnover didn’t become points. It didn’t need to. White County kept the ball on the ground and watched the remaining seconds disappear.

It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was downright ugly at times. But Foster said this week the goal was to do whatever it took to win football games.

Friday night, that’s exactly what the Warriors did. And they’ll head back to Sparta 4-0.