“Cole just didn’t have enough time back there,” said junior defensive back Zach Hazlett.

As students filed into WJ’s football stadium on a cold, rainy, September evening, the score was already 6-0 within the first minute of the game.


Junior quarterback Cole Ahnell had already dropped back and had his pass picked off and taken to the house for a touchdown by Whitman.

It surely seemed all too familiar to the team and fans in attendance. They recalled the kick-return touchdown scored by Rockville star junior running back Crusoe Gongbay in WJ’s 10-26 loss last Friday. But, the team had been coached not to hang their heads or let a momentum swing like this affect them.

“Last game, we were all kind of shocked, having a lead and then allowing a touchdown,” said Hazlett. “This time, we all knew we had four quarters to go.”

With that in mind, the team continued on with poise and confidence.

However, the team was outmatched. It was clear after the early interception that WJ’s offensive line would have a tough time. The line struggled to give Ahnell time to make his reads and get rid of the ball, restricting the team’s opportunities through the air.

In change of strategies, the team tried to move the ball on the ground to avoid turnovers, putting the ball in the hands of senior running backs Michael Pitsenberger and Ryan Davis, with limited success, and no touchdowns.

However, the defense held strong against Whitman’s strong running game in the first quarter. While the offensive line of Whitman blocked well at the first level, the WJ linebackers and defensive backs tackled well and did not allow any long runs. The defense went in to the second quarter without letting the Vikings score.

In the second quarter, Whitman continued to run the ball and wear down WJ’s defense. Gaining seven yards here, four yards there, Whitman ran the ball up the middle and pounded it into the end zone for a touchdown.

Following a successful two-point conversion, Whitman lead 14-0 at half-time.

In the second half, Whitman began to break the game wide open. Whitman junior quarterback Henry Kuhn began taking shots downfield, which both moved the ball downfield through the air and opened up Whitman’s running game due to the threat of the pass. This combination proved to be too much for the Wildcats, and Whitman took control.

Despite the scoreboard, there continued to be bright spots for the ‘Cats on the field. Along with players breaking through, a number of freshmen received important experience and playing time in the final quarter.

WJ plays rival Churchill on Thursday, Sept. 17. The team will look to shake off this loss and get healthy for the hated Bulldogs, who have started their season undefeated with impressive wins over Gaithersburg and Seneca Valley.