By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – Whiteford converted three early Sand Creek turnovers into touchdowns then coasted to a 59-0 win to open its defense of the Division 8 state title.

Hunter DeBarr scored four times and the Bobcat defense held the Aggies to fewer than 100 yards of total offense.

“We had a great week of practice, and we locked in tonight,” DeBarr said after scoring on runs of 5, 12 and 76 yards and had a 20-yard touchdown catch. “It was important for us to come out and play well early and we did.”

Sand Creek threw interceptions on its first two drives, one to Stepan Masserant and one to Liam Waterford, to set up quick Bobcat scores. Jake Iott had a fumble recovery deep in Aggie territory in the second quarter to set up another score. Whiteford led 53-0 at halftime, forcing a super clock in the second half.

Also scoring for the Bobcats was Drew Knaggs on a 46-yard run, Brandon Knaggs on a 5-yard run, Andres Trejo on a 1-yard run and Kolby Masserant on a 46-yard pass from Tre Eitniear. Ruddy completed the touchdown pass to DeBarr.

“As a team we all stepped up this week,” Masserant said. “We were really focused.”

Whiteford coach Todd Thieken said he didn’t have to say much to his team this week about increasing the level of intensity for the playoffs.

“There was definitely a workman’s like attitude with the kids this week in practice,” Thieken said. “I thought each day was a little bit better than the previous day. They are an experienced group. If you have to tell kids in practice to step up their intensity at this time of year, something is wrong.”

DeBarr finished with 104 yards on three carries while Knaggs had 55 on three carries. Ruddy had 67 yards passing and Eitniear 59. Masserant had two catches for 59 yards and DeBarr had two for 56 yards.

Whiteford had 364 yards of total offense. Sand Creek was held to 79 yards rushing and 14 yards passing.

The 10-0 Bobcats tied a Region record with its 24th straight win.

They will host 8-2 Hudson Friday. Hudson beat Whiteford in the 2022 Division 8 semifinals, which was the last loss for the Bobcats.

“Our kids will be ready,” Thieken said.

SAND CREEK 0 0 0 0 = 0

WHITEFORD 24 29 0 6 = 59

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

W – Hunter DeBarr 5 run (Mason DeBarr pass from Tre Eitnear)

W – Hunter DeBarr 20 pass from Ryin Ruddy (Ryin Ruddy run)

W – Drew Knaggs 46 run (Jake Iott run)

Second Quarter

W – Brandon Knaggs 5 run (Hunter DeBarr kick)

W – Hunter DeBarr 12 run (Keegan Thomas kick)

W – Hunter DeBarr 76 run (Tre Eitniear run)

W – Kolby Masserant 46 pass from Tre Eitniear (Hunter DeBarr kick)

Fourth Quarter

W – Andrews Trejo 1 run (kick blocked)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Sand Creek: Ivan Wilkinson 7-16, Fox 1-1, Jordan Illenden 3-9, Gavin Marks 3-37, Caleb Luck 4-6, Walsh 6-28, Pickens 2-4. Totals 26-101. Whiteford: Hunter DeBarr 4-104, Drew Knaggs 3-55, Andres Trejo 6-23, Brandon Knaggs 2-13, Jake Iott 4-11, Tre Eitniear 1-9, Brody Hillard 2-9, Brek Ruddy 3-5, Ryin Ruddy 2-0. Totals 27-229.

PASSING – Sand Creek: Cole Scharer 9-24-3 18 yards, Trey Mepham 0-1-0. Whiteford: Ryin Ruddy 3-7-0 67 yards, Tre Eitniear 2-2-0 59 yards, Cooper Diesing 1-1-0 9 yards.

RECEIVING – Sand Creek: Jordan Illenden 3-3, Rory Eack 2-7, Ivan Wilkinson 3-11, Pickens 1-(minus)-3. Whiteford: Kolby Masserant 2-59, Hunter DeBarr 2-56, Keegan Thomas 2-20.