Whitehorse football falls in quarterfinals to wrap-up another impressive season

The Whitehorse Raider football season came to a close on October 31. As the Raiders fell to Water Canyon 44-8 in a quarterfinal matchup between the #4 and #5 seeds in the 8-player state bracket.

The Raiders gave it their all in their final game of the season. Whitehorse was at a significant disadvantage with flooding in the community preventing school attendance and football practice from October 21 through game day. The Raiders did get one day to practice on October 30 in Page the day before the game.

Despite the challenges of dealing with flooded homes and disrupted communities the Whitehorse football team competed with Water Canyon.

Whitehorse received the opening kick and while the Raiders picked up one first down on their first drive they were forced to punt away.

Despite that the Raider defense came up big on their first possession with Adam Joe intercepting a pass and returning it to the Water Canyon 33-yard line. 

After a hold call Hunter Tsinigine would run the ball for a 41-yard gain. Tsinigine would cap off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to put the Raiders on the scoreboard. 

Tyrell Black would throw a two-point conversion catch to Joe to put Whitehorse in front 8-0 with 6:24 left in the first quarter.

The Raiders defense would again force a turnover on downs to get the ball back at their own 40-yard line. Three plays later pressure from Water Canyon would result in an interception returned for a touchdown to tie the score 8-8 with 3:04 left in the first quarter.

Water Canyon would recover an on-side kick and after an explosive play score again to take a 14-8 lead with 2:10 left in the first quarter.

A fumbled exchange on the Raiders next drive would set up Water Canyon with a short field with the Wildcats taking advantage and adding another score to take a 22-8 lead with 1:16 left in the first quarter.

On the Raiders next possession an interception would give Water Canyon another possession near midfield with the Wildcats scoring another touchdown to take a 30-8 lead which it would take into halftime. 

Water Canyon would add two second-half scores to earn the 44-8 win over the Raiders.

Whitehorse would end the season with a 6-5 record earning the #5 seed, playing in the quarterfinals and finish one game away from the state-semi finals.

Whitehorse will say goodbye to seniors Dillon Leo, Taylor Black, Murious Charley, Tyshaun Begay, Sanford Begay, and Adam Joe.