Whitwell Gets Big Send Off For First Ever Trip to State Football Title Game

Whitwell, TN (WDEF-TV) The Whitwell Tigers are on their way to their first ever state championship game as the only undefeated team in Whitwell sports history.
The Big Red community gave the team a big send off Thursday night as they headed to Cookeville.

Said Darin Rogers, owner of the Raceway: “It’s huge. Biggest event I can think of in this town in my life time. Something that everyone’s talking about in a positive way.”

Said Ashley Higgins: “We’ve waited four years for this. Me and her. We’ve been to every game.”

This Whitwell Tigers team has survived the 2018 season undefeated with a hard hitting offense led by receiver Hudson Petty and quarterback Warner Ashworth. The only ones that stand in the way of state are the undefeated Cornersville Bulldogs, who lost in the state championship last year.

Said Whitwell head coach Randall Boldin: “I think the system we run might give them a little bit of trouble. That’s what we’re banking on. I don’t think they’ve seen a team that will fight as far as we will the entire game.”

Said Rogers: “These boys have been on a mission since they were young. They’ve all been together, one solid group. They stick with every play until the end, all the way to the end of the game. They never, ever give up. If there’s any time on the clock, don’t give up on the Tigers.”

The Tigers have proved that with two nail biters in the playoffs against South Pittsburg and Greenback.

The secret? Raceway biscuits, apparently.

Said Rogers: “I see Warner, the quarterback nearly every morning. I try to hold back from asking him questions, and I can’t. So I end up stopping him, and ask, you know, how are you feeling bud?”

For the town of 17-hundred, this has become way more than a football game.

Said Boldin: “This program has been down for so long that, going through last year and this year has been really rewarding for me especially being a community member, and seeing it even trickle down to the kids.”

As far as Cornersville’s state hopes are concerned…

Said Rogers: “Back to back second place. Back to back second place.”

We’ll have highlights, and maybe biscuits, Saturday night right here on News 12.