The White County High School senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members were honored on the field before the Oct. 21, 2022, game. Although there is still a strong chance that White County could host a playoff game in a couple of weeks, there was the possibility that the game against Hunters Lane could be the last game on Dee Harris Field for the Warriors. Emotions were evident from parents, coaches, and players as the group of seniors were honored. The stands were packed yet again as the community continued to show their support for the Warrior football program.
The Warriors from White County would receive the ball and begin their first drive on the 29-yard line. Malaki Dowell looked like his old self as he ran the ball down the field, play by play. He had runs of 8, 12, 7, 8 and 7 yards. The drive would stall, however, deep in Hunters Lane territory. The Warriors from Nashville would start with the ball around the 20-yard line. White County sacked the quarterback on the 5-yard line but were called for a horse-collar penalty which kept the drive alive. Following a nice take down by Owen Adams and a nice play by Jaden Simpson, the visitors had to punt.
White County got the ball on their own 34-yard line. It appeared that Tripp Pinion would score on the first play from scrimmage as he would take the ball around the end for a 66-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, the guys in striped shirts dropped their yellow hankey for a blindside block, and the play was called back to the 49-yard line. A couple of plays later, Malaki Dowell would break loose for 43 yards for his first touchdown of the night. The extra point was no good, making the score 6-0 in favor of the home team.
Hunters Lane moved the ball for a first down when they got the ball with a nice run by quarterback Isaiah McGill. Owen Adams then made a nice tackle for loss. Great defensive plays by Garrett Johnson and Jaylen Hannah would force another punt.
The next Warrior drive was a thing of beauty. It started with a 55-yard catch by Grayson Walker. A 15-yard run by Dowell and a keeper by Pinion moved the ball inside the 5-yard line. The Warriors would then fool everyone as they handed the ball to Rylan Bumbalough on an inside reverse. Rylan would not be denied as he carried the ball into the endzone for a score. The extra point by Mullins was good, making the score 13-0.
The visiting Warriors would not take long to get on the board. White County kicked the ball to Carvarious Bowers on the 10-line. The 5’6” 135-pound speedster took off like a bullet. 90 yards and several missed tackles later, the Warriors from Hunters Lane had their first touchdown. The extra point was blocked, which made the score 13-6.
The home Warriors got the ball back on the 25-yard line after the kickoff. It was if Malaki Dowell was determined to show his own explosiveness as he took the first play for 75 yards and a touchdown. Nate Mullins drilled the extra point, making the score 20-6.
The Warrior defense was dominate on the next Hunters Lane possession. A couple of negative plays were followed by a fumble that was recovered by senior Bray Frasier.
The hometown Warriors started the drive with a nice 33-yard pass to Grayson Walker. The second quarter would start, with the Warriors just a few yards from the endzone and another score. This time, coach Mark Frasier would turn to his son, Bray, to get the ball into the endzone. Two plays later, the defensive end turned running back plowed across the goal line for 6 points. The extra point was good, making the score 27-6.
Hunters Lane got the ball back on the 30-yard line. The pressure from the Warrior defense was intense. The visitors were forced to punt after 3 plays. The Warriors from Sparta came after the punt, and it was blocked by senior Connor Brewington. The block gave the ball to the Warriors just 26 yards from the endzone. It would only take Tripp Pinion one play to find Thomas Paul with a touchdown pass. Rylan Bumbalough would attempt the extra point. Rylan is a phenomenal player for the Warriors, but let’s just say his kick attempt could have ended up on Sportscenter’s “not top ten” list, as it almost hit a referee in the head. The miss made the score 33-6.
The next couple of drives were won by the defenses for both teams. White County forced a punt, and, after about 40 yards in runs by Malaki Dowell, the team from Nashville would force the home team to turn the ball over on downs. When Hunters Lane got the ball, they put together their best drive of the night. McGill found Bowers for a 30-yard pick up. McGill would then scramble for a first down. They continued to march the ball down the field. Bowers caught a pass that took the ball inside the 5-yard line. The Hunters Lane quarterback, McGill, would take the ball in for a touchdown. The extra point was good, making the score 33-13.
The following White County drive was ugly. There were several dropped passes. The Warriors lined up to punt but called a fake. It was run to perfection, except the ball was dropped by a wide open receiver. The miscue gave the ball back to Hunters Lane on the 19-yard line. The Warrior defense went to work. Kayden Blaylock and Nate Mullins met at the quarterback for a huge sack. The Warriors from out of town went backward each play and turned the ball over on downs. The Warriors would score quickly again as Dowell took the handoff 60 yards for another touchdown. The extra point would make the score 40-13.
The visitors would try to move the ball just before the half but were stopped by a beautiful interception by Darvon Richmond.
The second half would see many White County Warriors get their first varsity action of the year. Coach Frasier first made sure that all the seniors on the team got to play. He then moved to juniors, sophomores and finally freshmen. The young Warriors got much needed work against varsity competition. The young guys were up for the challenge. Malaki Dowell took the second half off after rushing for over 200 yards in the first half. Tripp Pinion played just one drive in the second half before being replaced by Jordan Brown. Running back Isaiah Kelso ran hard. The defense for the home team was strong until the final whistle. The offense got on the board one final time as freshman quarterback Exavior Gamblin followed a punishing “pancake” block by TJ Dodd and broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown. The Warriors showed sportsmanship and took a knee on the 2-point conversion making the final score 46-13.
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