THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

On a hot night in Rocklin, diminished somewhat by a one-hour late start, the Whitney High football hung with the area’s No. 2 team for three quarters Friday night before a late visitor’s rally allowed Granite Bay to come back for a 24-10 victory. Leading10-3 following Jayden Patel’s 30-yard field goal with 10:30 left in the game, the long grind began to take its toll. Following the kickoff, the Grizzlies took just two plays and less than a minute to tie the game. Granite Bay hit on two consecutive passes to knot the contest 10-10 with 9:28 left in the game; then things got ugly. “Great teams do not shoot themselves in the foot like we did tonight, whether it be penalties, whether it be a turnover, whatever it is – missed assignments – great teams don’t do that,” Whitney had coach Jesse Armas said. “I think we’re a good team, but we have a ways to go.” Whitney took over the ball at their own 20-yard line after the Grizzlies’ score and went three-and-out. Sensing that the heat might be taking its toll on the Whitney defense, Granite Bay began handing the ball to their 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound running back Evan Tattersall. Tattersall never gained more than 8 yards on any one carry the entire evening, but Granite Bay’s huge line gave the senior enough room to eventually turn the tide. His touchdown at 2:25 left in the game put the Wildcats in a hole. The ‘Cats nearly stalled that drive on a third-and-12 when Nathan Sanchez picked off a Granite Bay pass. The Grizzlies were forced to go to the air after Dagne’ Buck put a big hit on the Granite Bay runner for a 9-yard loss. However, Whitney was called for pass interference and got the ball back at the ‘Cats 30-yard line. “We hung with them for three and a half quarters. I’m very proud of the kids and I’m not surprised that they did that because our kids are ready,” said Armas. “Our kids are ready to take on whoever we have to play week-in and week-out and I’ve challenged them to practice better that’s what we need to do.” Whitney’s next possession went no better and included two quarterback sacks, one on fourth down on the Wildcats 14-yard line. Three plays later the Grizzlies scored the final tally of the night. THIS WEEK It’s Quarry Bowl week with cross-town rival Rocklin coming to town. The 2-0 Thunder are coming off wins over Grant and Napa and would like to put a cap on what might be the last Quarry Bowl. Whitney moves over to the Sierra Foothill League next season. Although they will play Rocklin each season after that, the league will determine when the game is to be played. Whether the Quarry tradition is continued will be up to the schools, but either way the rivalry will be no less fierce. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Wildcats Stadium, the junior varsity plays at 5:30. The freshmen game is scheduled for 5:30 Thursday.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

LATE GRANITE BAY RALLY CATCHES WHITNEY FOR 24-10 WIN

JIM LINSDAU

Placer Herald | 9/6/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Gary Jones