By DOUG DONNELLY

Whiteford (9-0) will take a 23-game winning streak into the first round of the playoffs against Sand Creek (5-4).

The Aggies finished second in the TCC behind the Bobcats and won four straight games to qualify for the post-season for the 25th time in school history.

Whiteford beat Sand Creek 48-8 in Week 5 of the regular season, shutting the Aggies out until the final seconds of the game.

Thieken said his team knows Sand Creek has improved since then.

“Our kids are going to be ready,” Thieken said. “They know Sand Creek has gotten better. We’ll go back and watch film of that game and see where we could improve. I’m sure they’ll do the same thing.”

Whiteford’s offense is led by quarterbacks Tre Eitniear and Ryin Ruddy, both who have seen a lot of action on the field, sometimes alternating one offensive drive after another.

Eitniear, who has been the starter in every game, has completed 36-of-69 passes for 821 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Ruddy has completed 16-of-22 passes for 237 yards and three scores. He’s also a weapon in other spots – catching four passes for 136 yards and two scores and rushing for 364 yards and five touchdowns.

Jake Iott leads the Bobcat ground attack with 685 yards. Hunter DeBarr has rushed for 626 yards and Drew Knaggs 474.

DeBarr said the Bobcats feel they are in the right state of mind going into the playoffs.

“I feel pretty good about where we are,” he said. “I think we are in a really good spot right now. I try not to compare last year to this year, but it’s hard not to. I see a lot of the same things from the team last year at this time to this year.”

Whiteford’s defense pitched its second shutout of the season Friday against Summerfield. Whiteford hasn’t allowed more than one touchdown in a game to any opponent since Edon scored three times in Week 4.

The Bobcat defense might have been the most experienced defense in team history with four-year starters Ruddy, Knaggs, Jake Iott and DeBarr and numerous other returning starters.

That experience has showed up in games like a Week 2 win over Ida when the Bobcats allowed the playoff-bound Bluestreaks a touchdown on the opening drive, but no points and forced five turnovers from that point on. In Week 3, it was the defense that put the Bobcats in front when Iott scooped up a fumble and returned it for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against Ottawa Hills.

“Our defense has had to step up,” DeBarr said. “They’ve made some big plays and changed some games.”

Sand Creek is led by running back Ivan Wilkinson, a workhorse sophomore. Despite missing a game this season, Wilkinson has 199 carries for 1,007 yards so far this season. Three times this season Wilkinson has carried the ball at least 30 times, including a season-high 37 times Friday against Erie Mason.

The Aggies have thrown for 412 yards this season.

Whiteford played six playoff teams this season – Blissfield, Ida, Ottawa Hills, Edon, Sand Creek and Union City. Sand Creek has played four playoff teams – Blissfield, Edon, Montpelier (Ohio) and Whiteford.

Sand Creek (5-4) at Whiteford (9-0)

Division: 8

All-Time Series: Sand Creek leads 34-30-1

Last meeting: Whiteford beat Sand Creek 48-8 in Week 5.

Whiteford playoff history: This is Whiteford’s 12th straight playoff appearance and 24th all-time with state championships coming in 2017 and 2022. Sand Creek is in the playoffs for the 25th time in program history.

Whiteford statistical leaders: Jake Iott 96-685 rushing, 114 tackles; Hunter DeBarr 86-626 rushing; Drew Knaggs 83-474 rushing; Tre Eitniear 36-69 for 821 yards passing; Kolby Masserant 32 catches for 670 yards receiving, 5 interceptions; Ryin Ruddy 364 yards rushing, 237 yards passing, 136 yards receiving.

Sand Creek statistical leaders: Ivan Wilkinson 199-1007 rushing; Jordan Illenden 80-460 rushing; Cole Scharer 42-98, 412 yards passing; Carson Preston 8 catches for 111 yards receiving; Nathan Lakotos 56 tackles.

Game notes: The Aggies are in the playoffs for the first time since 2021. … The Bobcats have won 23 straight games, one shy of tying the Monroe County record they set from 2017-2018 … Sand Creek was 1-4 before winning its last five games to reach the playoffs.

Comments from Whiteford coach Todd Thieken, second year, 23-0: “They have improved a lot since we saw them in Week 5. Our kids are locked in and, no matter who we play, must play to our level of football.”

Comments from Sand Creek coach Marc Spicer, third year, 14-15: “I knew we had a tough schedule to start the season. It was a rough start, but the guys have learned how to win. We’ve been in the playoffs since week five. We’ve had that sense. It’s literally one play, one game at a time.”