Whitehorse football team improves to 3-1 with win over Water Canyon

by David Boyle
News Director
The Whitehorse Raiders continue to look dominant earning a big 62-32 road win over Water Canyon on September 4 to improve their record to 3-1 on the season. 
The Raiders started their latest game behind, giving up the first touchdown on a four play 47 yard drive by Water Canyon. The Raiders denied the two-point try to make the score 6-0 with 10:15 left in the first quarter.
The Raiders offense responded, driving 57 yards in seven plays capped by a 27 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyrell Black to Dillon Leo. Hunter Tsinigine added the two point conversion run to make the score 8-6 with 7:50 left in the first quarter.
The Raiders defense tightened up on the next possession giving up one first down play but then forcing a turnover on downs. 
The Raiders offense again got to work, going 64 yards in eight plays with the drive capped by another touchdown pass from Black this time to Tsinigine for 21 yards.
Black added the two point conversion on a pass to Adam Joe to make the score 16-6 with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Water Canyon responded on their next drive with a big touchdown pass. The Raiders stopped the two point conversion again to make the score 16-12 with 1:30 left in the first quarter.
Water Canyon kept momentum recovering a fumble on the Raiders next possession, but Whitehorse was able to force a turnover on downs to get the ball back at the end of the first quarter.
Whitehorse responded with a four play drive going 74 yards capped by a long ball from Black to Joe for a 68 yard touchdown. Black added the two point conversion on a pass to Jacoby Long making the score 24-12 with 10:30 left in the first half.
Water Canyon’s offense was again forced to give the ball over on downs after an 8 play drive. 
The Raiders responded with a five play 65 yard drive including a big 38-yard completion from Black to Dillon Leo. The drive was finished with a five yard touchdown pass from Black to Joe.
Black added the two point conversion on a run making the score 32-12 with five minutes left in the first half.
Water Canyon responded five plays later with a touchdown run to make the score 32-18. Whitehorse responded immediately with a 67 yard kickoff return by Dillon Leo for a touchdown.
Tsinigine added the two point run to make the score 48-18 which is what the scoreboard would read at halftime.
To start the second half the Raiders had a seven play drive go 64 yards but the drive ended on the one yard line to give Water Canyon the ball. 
After the Wildcats moved the ball a bit the Raiders defensive pressure forced a bad snap which was recovered by Taylor Black at the 23 yard line.
Two plays later Tsiniginie added a nine-yard rushing touchdown, with the two point conversion no good the score was then 46-18 enough to begin a running clock mercy rule with six minutes left in the third quarter.
Water Canyon would score on their next possession and Whitehorse would answer with a 10 play 68 yard drive capped by an 11 yard touchdown from Black to Joe and a two point pass from Joe to Long to make the score 54-24 at the end of the third quarter.
The Raiders would get their second defensive takeaway of the game on the next drive with an interception by Dillon Leo.
Whitehorse drove 55 yards in eight plays capped by an 11 yard touchdown run by Black, Joe caught the two point conversion from Black making the score 62-24. Water Canyon would add one score to make the final count 62-32.
The Raiders offense looked impressive and balanced in the game rushing for 256 yards and throwing for 221.
Tsinigine led the offense on the ground with 172 yards rushing on 20 carries and one touchdown. Black ran for 81 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown and Long had three yards on two carries.
Black looked great passing the ball as well completing 14 passes on 18 attempts for 221 yards and five touchdowns.
The favorite target was Joe who had six catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns. Dillon Leo had three receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown and Tsinigine had one catch for a 21 yard touchdown.
Defensively Whitehorse kept Water Canyon to 222 yards in the air and 224 on the ground. The Raiders were led by Tsinigine who recorded 12 tackles while Tyrell Black had six and Cayden Leo had five. Dillon Leo had the one interception with a 34 yard return while Taylor Black had the fumble recovery.
Whitehorse is back at home in Montezuma Creek hosting Panguitch on September 11. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm when the 2-2 Bobcats come to town.