Wildcats advance to the second round of playoffs in dominating fashion

The Whitney Wildcats football team scored their most points of the season with a crushing 35-0 win over the Inderkum Tigers in the first round of the Sac Joaquin Section Division II playoffs. Whitney got it done on both ends and forced five turnovers, all coming off of interceptions en route to their first shutout victory since 2017. "I'm a defensive-minded guy and shutouts are hard to come by, especially in the playoffs," Whitney High coach Zac McNally said. "Hats off to all of our guys and to do it in front of I think the best student section in the state of California is special." The Wildcats got things going on their first possession as sophomore quarterback Jacob Smiley connected with senior Roman Floyd for a 38-yard score. Whitney struggled for most of the first half and turned it over twice from a fumble and an interception. After senior linebacker Carson Phillips intercepted a pass with 3:44 to play in the half, Smiley connected with Floyd yet again, this time for a 66-yard touchdown putting the Wildcats up 14-0. "It feels great to be clicking and the playoffs are the best time to be hot and I hope we can keep it rolling," Smiley said. "Roman gives me a lot of opportunities to manipulate the defense and is always open and then opens up play for other receivers." The Tigers drove down inside the Wildcats' five-yard-line on their next offensive possession and had a chance to swing momentum their way to end the half. Floyd denied that opportunity, intercepting a pass right on the goalline and returned it 100 yards for another Whitney touchdown. "I had a key call and was reading two to one so I saw the two run an out and my guy ran a fade," Floyd said. "I knew I was choked up in the end zone so I had to just make a move and get the pick." Floyd had another interception late in the third quarter. "He's the ultimate playmaker and when we need a play, we're going to number 17, it's just that simple," McNally said. "He's come a long way maturity-wise and is reaping the benefits of all his hard work." It was all Whitney in the second half as senior Takai Takahashi and sophomore Lorenzo Young both rushed for touchdowns while sophomore Phoenix Rose and senior Aazam Khan each had an interception. This is the first playoff win for Whitney since 2019, the year the Wildcats made it all the way to the Division II Championship game before losing to Elk Grove High. Whitney will travel next Friday to play the number four-seeded Antelope Titans, who won the Capital Valley Conference and finished undefeated at 9-0 on the season. The Titans have the fourth best running back in the state and the top back in the Sac-Joaquin Section in junior Curron Borders, who has totaled nearly 2,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. "We have to play physical and continue to run our feet, keep our eyes up and terminate any type of runners," McNally said.