By DOUG DONNELLY

Win or lose, Friday’s home playoff game against White Pigeon will be a bittersweet moment for a group of Whiteford seniors.

The Bobcats will host White Pigeon in a battle of unbeaten teams for the right to play in a Division 8 semifinal. Since semifinal games are always played at neutral sites, it will be the final home game for a group of Whiteford seniors who have not only rarely lost on the field but have played some huge games at the tree-ringed field.

“This is my favorite place to play,” said senior Drew Knaggs. “Every time I’m running out of the tunnel, out of the woods, I get goosebumps. It gets better every time.”

The Bobcats earned the right to play White Pigeon by beating Hudson in the district finals. The Bobcats have won 22 straight games at home with the last loss coming at home during the 2020 playoffs.

“We’ve played in a lot of huge games,” senior Jake Iott said. “We’ve been here before.”

Knaggs, Hunter DeBarr and Ryin Ruddy are four-year starters who have never missed a game. Friday will be game No. 48 for them, a school record. Iott missed that Summerfield game his freshman season but has played in every other game since his freshman season started. Kolby Masserant is a three-year starter.

All play key roles on the Bobcat team.

DeBarr leads the team in rushing and scoring. Iott leads the team in tackles. Ruddy is second on the team in tackles and has 394 yards rushing, 353 yards passing and 136 yards receiving. Masserant has set a school record for receiving yards and touchdown receptions. He also leads the team in interceptions. Knaggs is closing in 2,000 career yards rushing.

Whiteford is 11-0 and have won a Monroe County Region record 25 straight games.

In White Pigeon, the Bobcats face another formidable opponent. The Chiefs have given up just 55 points and only 26 first downs this season. On offense, White Pigeon has punted just once.

Taylor Stewart leads White Pigeon with 979 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. He’s a 210-pound sophomore.

“He’s a load,” White Pigeon coach Shawn Strawser said. “He’s a big boy.”

The Chiefs run the Power-T offense and are almost exclusively a running team. Quarterback Josh Davidson has thrown only 14 passes all season.

“If we don’t have to throw it, we won’t,” Strawser said.

The Chief offensive line averages about 190 pounds across the front. Defense has been the White Pigeon strong point as they’ve allowed just 5.5 points a game. Strawser said they are fast and fly to the ball.

“This year on defense we started five guys at spots they had never played before,” he said. “At the beginning of the year it took some time for them to get used to playing in those spots. They’ve come a long way.”

Senior Seth Miller leads the defense with 75 tackles and six tackles for loss. Jordan Pisco and Drew Kobryn have two interceptions apiece.

Strawser said the Bobcats have an impressive program.

“They are a premiere D8 program,” he said. “They are a tremendous football team. We will have our hands full.”

Last meeting: Whiteford beat White Pigeon 38-26 last season in the regional final.

Whiteford statistical leaders: Hunter DeBarr 90 carries for 730 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing, 13 catches for 253 yards and four touchdowns receiving, one punt return for touchdown; Jake Iott 129 carries for 696 yards and five touchdowns, 120 tackles on defense; Ryin Ruddy 364 yards rushing, 304 yards passing and 136 yards receiving, 107 tackles on defense; Tre Eitniear 38-for-71 passing for 880 yards and 13 touchdowns; Kolby Masserant 34 receptions for 729 yards and 11 touchdowns.

White Pigeon statistical leaders: Taylor Stewart 139 rushes for 979 yards and 19 touchdowns; Caleb Lane 85 rushes for 843 yards and 13 touchdowns; Jon Bontrager 60 rushes for 568 yards and 7 touchdowns; Josh Davidson 5-for-12 passing for 96 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions; Seth Miller 75 tackles, 6 tackles for loss; Jordan Pisco 4 interceptions; Mekhi Singleton 4 interceptions.

Up next: The winner will play the winner of Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-2) and Riverview Gabriel Richard (7-4) in the semifinals at a neutral site.