THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

The Whitney High football team’s goal of winning a Capital Valley Conference title before departing that league for the Sierra Foothill League was dimmed a bit by falling to Del Campo 30-17 Friday. Although 4-0 on the season, the Cougars knew they had their hands full when the Wildcats went up 7-0 on a Preston Eklund to Chris Hernandez 3-yard touchdown pass to open the first quarter. The play was set up by a 43-yard aerial from Eklund to Mark Clark on the second play of the game. Del Campo came back to march 65 yards on a penalty-aided drive and evened the score at 7-7. Using a line that averaged about 235-pounds per man, the Cougars rushed 12 times during the 13-play drive. With the two clubs battling for an edge, a Cougars’ opportunity came on special teams. In the second quarter, Del Campo punted twice and pinned the ‘Cats inside their 15-yardline each time. On a first-and-10 at their 12, Whitney went for a quick pass that was picked off and returned for a TD. That gave the Cougars a 13-7 lead they held onto until halftime. “I don’t think they were waiting for it,” said Whitney head coach Jesse Armas, as to whether Del Campo was anticipating the pass. “We were in our attack-mode in a 7-7 ballgame. We were trying to score points before the half and obviously it went the other way.” At the half, Whitney rushed eight times in 37 offensive plays. The Cougars 21 times in 34 plays. In the second half, the home club continued its ball-control mode grinding out 140 yards on 31 rushing plays. The Cougars took the third-quarter kickoff and covered 73 yard in seven plays to score. They came back to add a field goal at the end of the period. Down 23-7, the Wildcats battled back and appeared to score on a 3-yard run by Jason Sanchez, but it was negated by a penalty. After a quarterback sack, Jayden Patel kicked a 40-yard field goal to cut Del Campo’s advantage to 13. “Del Campo did a really good job of stuffing us with five guys in the box,” Armas said. “They were able to counter some of our stuff with those athletes; so they did a good job.” Forced to go to the air in the fourth quarter with the clock ticking down, wide receiver Justin Kraft made two dazzling catches totaling 93 yards. One was good for 50 yards and a touchdown – but only 78 seconds remained in the game. Prior to that, the Cougars ran the clock down to 1:41 rushing 16 times in 17 plays and, ironically, eventually scored an 11-yard pass play. THIS WEEK Ponderosa will come in with a 2-3 (1-1 CVC) record, matching Whitney’s. The Bruins defeated Bella Vista 35-7 last week. Ponderosa’s other victory was 28-3 win over El Dorado.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

DEL CAMPO GROUNDS OUT 30-17 WIN OVER WHITNEY

JIM LINSDAU

Placer Herald | 10/5/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Whitney High School Athletics