Bruins rip the Raiders to stay unbeaten

Published 9:30 pm Thursday, September 12, 2024

TUNNEL HILL — The Northwest Whitfield Bruins built a big lead in the first half, ran clock in a rainy second and cruised to a 43-7 victory over intra-county rival Southeast Whitfield Thursday night.

Quarterback Gavin Nuckolls tossed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Bruins (4-0) built a 36-0 halftime advantage over the Raiders (0-5), and Bruin reserves played the second half as the final two quarters were played with a running clock.

Southeast got the ball first, and, after a 3-and-out, got the ball back when Sean Davis fell on a muffed punt.

When the Bruin defense got another stop, a fumble on the first Northwest offensive play was pounced on by Southeast’s Logan Phillips.

Northwest stopped Southeast on downs, got the ball back and went to work.

Nuckolls capped a quick drive by scrambling in for a 12-yard rushing touchdown to put Northwest up 7-0 with 3:55 left in the first.

A Kyle Cummings would-be punt return touchdown for Northwest was called back on a penalty, but it didn’t matter, as the Bruins marched down for another score.

Nuckolls hit Kade Mitchell down to the 3, and Cameron Collins pushed in for the short touchdown to make it 14-0 Bruins on the final play of the first quarter.

After a blocked punt set up Northwest at the Southeast 25, Nuckolls rolled to the right and found an out-breaking Akendris Douglas for a 5-yard score, putting the Bruins up 21-0 with 7:11 before half.

Nuckolls then connected with Mitchell for a 26-yard touchdown, lofting a ball that arced down to the sophomore receiver in the back of the end zone. Mitchell made a catch in traffic for the score. Will Wade ran in for a 2-point conversion to make the score 29-0 with 4:27 left in the second.

Nuckolls found Cal Manning down to the one on the next Northwest drive, and Jacob Lea walked in for a 1-yard rushing score that made the score 36-0 late in the half, and the night was done for the Bruin starters.

Nuckolls finished 10-for-12 for 149 passing yards and the two scores. Mitchell caught two passes for 52 yards, and the Bruins piled up 223 ground yards.

The second half brought on reserves, a running clock and a driving rain. The Bruin backups were able to possess the ball for the entire third quarter, then Sebastian Johnson got in for a short rushing touchdown early in the fourth.

Southeast got on the board when Brayden Campbell outran the Bruin kick coverage for a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Campbell caught the ball near the sideline on one side of the field, sprinted across it, found an opening and tightroped for the lone Raider score.

The Bruin offense drove methodically back down the field, and Southeast stopped Northwest on 4th-and-goal on the final play of the game.

The Bruins continued a streak of stellar defense to start the season. In the first three games, Northwest had two shutout victories and allowed just 12 total points. The Bruins didn’t give up any offensive points to Southeast and held the Raiders to negative total yards Thursday night.

Northwest Whitfield now leads the series against Southeast Whitfield 38-9 overall and has won the last seven in a row.

The Raiders’ last win was a 21-13 victory in 2017.

Northwest steps into Region 7-3A play next week. The Bruins host Gilmer Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Southeast will return home to play Mt. Zion at the same time.