Playing for the first time since 2001, White County shrugged off a slow start and scored 20 unanswered points, including a walkoff touchdown in overtime to get past Union County in Cleveland, 20-14.
The Warriors (2-0) used a passing TD in OT from Brinn Robinson to Savion Anderson.
The Panthers owned the first quarter, as Chetley Cox ran in an 18-yd TD on a length first drive for Union. Later in the quarter, #27 hauled in an interception and took it inside the 10-yard line.
From there, Cox hit an open Jax Dillinger wide open across the end zone for a 5-yd score and a 14-0 lead.
The Warriors cut the deficit in half late in the second on a 24-yd touchdown run by Anderson. White County had a field goal blocked as time expired in the half, and with it came a downpour that leaked into the second half.
White County ran a long drive their first try of the third, and it netted six points as Jack Clark dove inside the pylon on an 8-yd touchdown to tie the game at 14 apiece.
The defenses were unwilling to yield for the rest of the quarter, taking the game into the fourth still knotted up. The Warriors drove down inside the 10 to start the fourth, but they missed a 26-yd field goal.
The Warriors got the ball back with 2:09 on the clock but stalled at midfield. The game was to be decided in overtime.
Union went first, and OT, but a hit in the backfield by Jack Johnson registered a fumble, and the Warriors’ Sam Harkins pounced on it. With a chance to win, Robinson threw a quick out from the 13-yard line to Anderson, who raced in for the walkoff touchdown.
White County scored 20 unanswered after trailing 14-0. The teams renewed their rivalry after a 25-year hiatus in a game played 42 times, every year from 1958 to 1991.
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