Railroaders secure playoff spot

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By Keith Harrington

What a difference a week makes.
After losing for the first time in an upset by Rensselaer a week earlier, Whitehall used a strong defensive effort and a superior kicking game to dominate the Warrensburg, 16-0, in a key Section II Class D showdown.
The victory clinched a playoff spot for the Railroaders, who can do no worse than the second seed. Whitehall is 5-1 on the season. Warrensburg drops to 3-3.
Whitehall head coach Rich Gould said he told his team that he wanted to see them play with more emotion this week, and the Railroaders responded – although Gould still thinks this team has not reached its peak.
“We challenged our team,” he said. “Last week we came out strong and kind of flattened out. We challenged them to come out this week to play with more emotion and play a complete game. I still don’t think we’ve played a complete game, but we’re getting there.”
Warrensburg was moving the ball well on the ground on its first drive, but fumbled the ball away near midfield. The Railroaders went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but an outstanding punt by Nick Kennedy pinned Warrensburg deep. The Railroader defense forced the Burghers to punt after three downs. It was a theme that prevailed throughout the game as Kennedy consistently put the Burghers in poor field position and the Whitehall defense kept keep them there.
Whitehall scored first with 3:35 remaining in the opening quarter on a one-yard quarterback sneak by David Camara. Kennedy’s extra point kick made it 7-0.
The Railroaders were driving late in the second quarter when they called a trick play. Camara handed off to Jake Moore who had been the Whitehall starting signal caller for the first four games. Moore rolled right and let loose with a pass on the halfback option that was intercepted by Warrensburg’s Joe Turner. But the Railroaders got the ball right back on Warrensburg’s first play when Moore picked off a Mark Monthony pass. The interception set up a 28-yard field goal by Kennedy to give Whitehall the 10-0 edge at halftime.
Kennedy is a weapon that Gould said he is glad to have.
“He is a huge weapon that I am blessed with,” Gould said. “Punting the ball. Kicking the ball. We just found Nick one day before practice. He was just messing around. You can just tell by the sound of the ball. We heard the thump and we turned around and it was Nick. He has been the kicker ever since.”
In the third quarter the Burghers advanced to the Whitehall 11, but fumbled the ball away. In the fourth quarter a Burgher’s drive stalled when Whitehall’s Daryl Hillman intercepted a pass in the end zone.
Whitehall held the 10-point lead until Lucas Morse scored on a 15- yard scamper early in the fourth quarter to raise the advantage to a 16-0. Kennedy’s extra-point kick was blocked.
“Our defense has been the strength of our team all year,” Gould said. “We are physical up front. Our front five can match up with anybody in the league.”
There was some bad news for Whitehall, despite the win. Camara left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter. Camara missed the first four games of the season because of a different injury.
“It’s tough to see David go down because he makes such great decisions in our passing game,” Gould said. “He makes us less one-dimensional. Hopefully it’s just an ankle sprain and we can get him back because he is a huge part of this team.”
Hillman led Whitehall on offense as he rushed for 90 yards on 19 carries. Camara was 5 for 8 tpassing for 54 yards.
Whitehall will host Cambridge on Saturday at 1 p.m.. The Railroaders and Indians have met for the Class D title each of the last two years. Cambridge won in 2014, and Whitehall won last year.
Gould said he realizes what a challenge Cambridge will present for his team, and he’s realistic about the game.
“It’s going to be physical,” he said. “They’re very good. Their kids are so disciplined. Their backs are quick. Win or lose I want to see our team play a complete game. We’ve got to do a better job on our penalties and our turnovers. I look for a real physical matchup. We’re in the playoffs so win or lose next week I am sure we will see them again. It’s going to be a heck of a ball game.”