The Whitharral Panthers got back on the winning track at their homecoming last Friday, taking the Meadow Broncos down 59-12 in a UIL high school six-man football game shortened by the 45 point rule. The rule states that any time one team is ahead by 45 points or more at or after half-time, the game is called. The Panthers held Meadow to just 74 yards total offense with both Bronco scores coming in the first half. Whitharral Head Football Coach Jeremy Holt said he was proud of the way the team responded to the tough 34-30 loss to Silverton last week.
“We came out and played pretty good football,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step forward and we plan to continue that pursuit towards our goal.”
Whitharral took the lead early on a 41 yard run by Shamadrick Weaver on the first play of their first possession, less than two minutes into the game.
Jack Griffin’s kick missed, but the Panthers had the lead, 60.
Weaver scored again midway through the first quarter from a 54 yard run on fourth down and four yards. Griffin made his kick this time and Whitharral led 14-0. Meadow was able to put a touchdown on the scoreboard on their next drive, but the Panthers scored again on a 21 yard run by Weaver with a successful kick by Griffin for a 22-6 lead before the first quarter ended. Whitharral scored 23 points in the second quarter before Meadow was able to find the end zone again. Kaden Smith scored on a four yard run with 8:22 left in the quarter. Brent Robinson scored on a one yard run at the 4:23 mark and again at the 2:25 mark with a 14 yard run.
Griffin’s kicks were good on the first two touchdowns, and he found Jeryn Ellard open for a onepoint conversion on the final Whitharral touchdown of the quarter.
Meadow’s only touchdown came on a 71 yard kick return after the final Panther score. The half ended with Whitharral up 45-12.
The third quarter lasted a little under three minutes. Ellard hit Rayden Potter open for a 15 yard touchdown followed by a Griffin kick with 8:10 left in the quarter. Then Weaver rambled 44 yards for the final score.
There was no extra point attempt as Whitharral lead 59-12.
Ellard went 1-for-2 passing for 15 yards and a touchdown. Griffin went 1-for-3 for 13 yards.
Weaver had 13 carries for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Robinson had five carries for 35 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith had four carries for six yards and a touchdown. Cason Wischkaemper had two carries for two yards. Potter had a single touchdown catch for 15 yards. Robinson had a single 13 yard catch. Nomar Gomez had nine tackles. Potter had 8½. Victor Saenz had five. Weaver had 2½. Robinson and Dawson Rodgers had two each and Griffin had a single tackle. Whitharral improves to 3-1 and will travel to Jayton on Friday to take on the 3-1 Throckmorton Greyhounds. Game time is 5:30 p.m.