OTTAWA LAKE — A complete and convincing performance from Whiteford’s football team helped the Bobcats move one step closer to claiming a second-straight state championship.
The Bobcats dominated White Pigeon from the opening play of the game as they cruised past the Chiefs 54-6 in an MHSAA Division 8, Region 3 final on Friday at Whiteford High School.
In a rematch of last year’s Region 3 final, Whiteford put together a convincing victory in a showdown of 11-0 teams. The Bobcats earned their 26th consecutive victory, sixth regional championship, and 400th varsity win in program history.
“You saw it from the very first play of the game. Our kids came out, that first drive on defense, they were locked in and ready to play,” Whiteford coach Todd Thieken said. “When we got the ball back, same thing.
“It was the effort of our kids. It was the way they worked this week, it’s the way they’ve worked all season to get to a point like this. They’ve got big goals of what they want to accomplish, but it’s how they worked this week in practice.”
Whiteford advances to take on the winner of Saturday’s game between Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-2) and Riverview Gabriel Richard (7-4) in next weekend’s Division 8 state semifinals.
Friday’s win was the last home game of the season for Whiteford, which has more than a dozen seniors on its roster. The state semifinal takes place on a neutral field.
Thieken was emotional talking about the group after the win.
“I love these kids. This senior group is a special group, and I wanted so bad for them, with the way playoff things work, all season long just watching things, I told the kids I want so bad for you to have your last game out here and get to enjoy something like this,” Thieken said. “It’s emotional for me because I just love how hard these kids work, how much they’ve meant to this program for four years.
“They’ve got more to go yet, but I’m just so happy for all of them that they got to enjoy this tonight.”
Whiteford had 184 rushing yards and 154 passing yards while holding White Pigeon to zero yards on seven pass attempts. The Chiefs had 227 yards on the ground.
In a game full of huge moments, a couple of defensive and special teams plays stood out for Whiteford.
After Bobcats’ senior Hunter DeBarr scored on a 3-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to make it 28-0 Whiteford, White Pigeon’s Drew Kobryn caught the ensuing kickoff and found open space down the left sideline.
DeBarr not only chased him down to make the touchdown-saving stop, he ripped the ball out of Kobryn’s hands as the Bobcats recovered and took over on their own 33. Whiteford went 67 yards in 13 plays, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Ryin Ruddy on the next drive.
“There was not really a secret to that one. He was running down the sideline and I happened to be the next guy there, and I kind of went for the ball and it ended up in my hands,” DeBarr said. “Weird play.
“It definitely helped us a lot, getting momentum back, and we ended up scoring on that drive. It was big.”
Late in the first quarter, DeBarr’s younger brother, sophomore Mason DeBarr, recovered a fumble by White Pigeon’s Caleb Lane that Jake Iott forced, and DeBarr returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.
“Everybody just really has their own role they’re supposed to play, so when all 11 players do their job, everything just kind of works out,” DeBarr said.
Hunter DeBarr had two touchdown runs, while Iott rushed for 70 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. Kolby Masserant hauled in three catches for 100 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter when he caught a quick pass from Ruddy and ran by everyone down the right sideline.
Masserant also had a 62-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Tre Eitniear connected with Mason DeBarr for a 19-yard touchdown in the third.
Eitniear was 3 of 3 passing for 69 yards, while Ruddy was 3 of 4 for 85 yards.
Taylor Stewart’s 74 yards on 15 carries led White Pigeon. Zachary Royce scored on a 1-yard touchdown run as time expired.
First Published November 11, 2023, 3:43 a.m.
