By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – After three bus rides longer than 100 miles this season, Whiteford’s first playoff game at Clinton is going to feel like a home game.

The Bobcats (5-4) will go on the road to open the Division 7 playoffs Friday, playing at Clinton, the No. 2 seed in the district.

It is the 13th consecutive season the Bobcats are in the playoffs, a streak that begin in 2012. Clinton has the exact same streak going.

“It’s a little odd playing a team that you scrimmaged against,” Clinton coach Casey Randolph said. “I didn’t see that one coming.”

Whiteford has won two straight games and have played one of the toughest schedules in all of Division 7. Clinton is 6-3 and lost only to 9-0 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 8-1 Ida and 8-1 Hudson.

“It’s going to be a big test,” Whiteford coach Todd Thieken said. “The one advantage we have – and they have the same advantage I guess – is we’ve seen this style of football throughout the entire season. They are physical up front and it’s a program that has had a lot of success.”

The Redwolves are led by senior Bryce Randolph, an outstanding two-way player who lead the team in rushing and tackles. He’s had four games this season with more than 100 yards rushing. Jacob Felts and Clifford Jones are also part of a busy Clinton backfield that averages 220 yards on the ground a game.

Quarterback Andy Fair rarely passes, but when he does, he is effective. He’s 30-for-60 for 410 yards and three touchdowns.

Whiteford averages 248 yards rushing but has nearly 800 yards a team through the air. Brek Ruddy leads the Bobcats with 822 yards rushing while Trenton Eitniear has 511 yards and Drew Ruddy 308.

Eitniear, the cousin of starting quarterback Tre Eitniear, has gotten better as the season progresses.

“He’s been outstanding on both sides of the ball,” Thieken said. “He has played great at linebacker all season for us but lately he’s really come from one of those wing spots in the backfield. He gives us some power at that spot.”

Tre Eitniear missed one start due to an injury but was back as the signal caller last week for Whiteford.

He has 640 yards and eight touchdown passes this season.

The Bobcats have played a difficult schedule. Their opponents are 57-26. No other team in Division 7 has an opponents record with so many wins.

“There record is deceiving,” Randolph said. “They have played a lot of good football teams. We’ll have our work cut out for us.”

Whiteford (5-4) at Clinton (6-3)

Division: 7.

All-time series: Clinton leads 11-4.

Last meeting: Clinton beat Whiteford 44-20 in 2019, the last year Clinton was in the Tri-County Conference.

Whiteford playoff history: The Bobcats are 35-22 all-time in the postseason with all but five of those wins coming in the last 11 years. The Bobcats won state titles in 2017 and 2022 and lost in the finals in 2016 and 2023.

Clinton playoff history: Clinton is in the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. During that run they reached the state finals twice – once in Division 6 and once in Division 7.

Whiteford statistical leaders: Brek Ruddy 137 carries for 822 yards; Trenton Eitniear 76 carries for 511 yards, 11 receptions for 136 yards, eight total touchdowns, 80 tackles on defense; Drew Ruddy 68 carries for 308 yards, 13-for-20 passing for 150 yards; Tre Eitniear 42-for-87 passing for 640 yards and eight touchdowns.

Clinton statistical leaders: Bryce Randolph 170 carries for 951 yards and 10 touchdowns; Jacob Felts 102 carries for 510 yards; Clifford Jones 62 carries for 373 yards; Andy Fair 30-for-60 passing for 410 yards and four touchdowns.

Game notes: This is Whiteford’s 25th time in the playoffs. They have the second longest streak of consecutive playoff appearances in Region history with 13 (Airport made 14 straight playoff appearances from 1999-2012). … Both teams have faced challenging schedules. Whiteford’s losses have come to teams that are 9-1 (Edon, Ohio) and 8-1 (Summerfield, Ida and Clarkston Everest Collegiate). Clinton’s losses have come to teams that are 9-0 (SMCC) and 8-1 (Hudson, Ida).

Comments from Whiteford coach Todd Thieken (third year at Whiteford, 32-5): “It’s going to be a big test. They are physical and play hard. Like us, they take a lot of pride in what they do. They are a very capable football team.”

Comments from Clinton coach Casey Randolph (fourth year at Clinton, 28-6): “Whiteford is a team that can score, and they play aggressive defense. Their record is very deceiving because of the caliber of teams they have played. It should be a great atmosphere for a playoff game.”