By Jeff Hodge
Contributing Writer
INDIANAPOLIS – As the youngest of Whiteland fans entered the stadium chanting “UN-DE-FEAT-ED!” there seemed to be a little unrest in the adult crowd Oct. 17 at Decatur Central.
Class 4A No. 5 Whiteland was looking to go 9-0 and clinch the Mid-State conference crown outright, while the host Hawks wanted to derail the Warriors and their bruising running back, Luke Harris, on “Senior Night.”
Well, it was the former that won out as Harris rambled for 251 yards and three touchdowns in helping wrap Whiteland’s regular season in perfect fashion with a 42-14 victory.
The Hawks came out firing to start the game and looked like they might just pull off a big upset before a disappointing sparse crowd. Trevor Young intercepted Whiteland quarterback Bryan Webb near midfield, and it looked like Whiteland was still on the bus stuck in traffic.
But the Warriors’ defense shut down the Hawks, and Whiteland (6-0 in conference play) started to assume control of the contest in moving 71 yards in six plays and taking a mere 3:20 off the clock. The key play came on a fake punt – from Whiteland’s own 35.
Sensing his team was still missing something, coach Darrin Fisher went tricky early.
“Special teams really set the tone for us tonight,” said the fourth-year coach. “The fake punt by Luke Harris was a huge play.”
MORE TO COME!!
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