Whitewright combined an explosive offense with a dominant defensive performance to shut out Celeste 49-0 in non-district action Friday night.
The Tigers piled up big plays on the ground and through the air while holding the Blue Devils to 112 yards of total offense.
“I was a little nervous about us being ready to play, but those nerves were gone in a heartbeat, and I was proud of how we set the tone for the game from the get-go,” Whitewright head coach Charlie Roten said.
Quarterback Peyton Smith completed 8-of-13 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. He also carried twice for 20 yards and a score.
Keelan Washington was Smith’s top target, catching four passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. The pair connected on an 89-yard touchdown pass for Whitewright’s longest play from scrimmage.
Nick Ulmer provided another big-play threat on the ground, rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries. His night included a 62-yard touchdown run.
Maddox Smart added 59 yards and a touchdown on two carries, Nate Lowery rushed four times for 57 yards and a score and Drake Freeman had 35 yards and a touchdown on two carries.
Whitewright’s defense kept Celeste off the scoreboard and limited the Blue Devils to 112 total yards.
Ramon Cruz led the Tigers with 11 tackles and a pass breakup, while Nolan Rigby finished with nine tackles.
Smart added four tackles and an interception.
Whitewright (2-0) now turns its attention to homecoming as the Tigers host Lindsay on Friday at Tiger Stadium.
“Lindsay is a very solid team,” Roten said. “They played in the fourth round last year and are very well coached. We will have to play well in all three phases of the game to win.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.
