The Kosciusko Whippets (1-9, 0-5) were thought by several to contend for a playoff spot in 2016, but that never came to fruition for the fast dogs as they had an unfortunate year where bounces did not come their way at all. The Whippets ended their season on the road in a close loss to the Louisville 27-24 after outgaining the Wildcats 346 yards to 332 yards of total offense. The Whippets outgained all but two opponents on the year but were plagued with untimely turnovers and drive-stalling penalties throughout the season that had them constantly fighting an uphill battle in Region 4-4A, the SEC West of MHSAA Class 4A football.
The Whippets got on the board first when junior quarterback Clark Dean hit Stefan Harmon with a four-yard strike, giving the Whippets an early 6-0 lead after a failed two-point run. The Whippets were without their kicker on the evening due to medical issues. The key play on this drive was a 35-yard pass completion from Dean to senior tight end Lane Outlaw.
The Wildcats came charging back to take the lead with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter when sophomore quarterback Deontae Yarbrough broke loose on a 30-yard touchdown run, Santos Espinos kick, pushing the score to 7-6.
With 8:53 remaining in the second quarter, the Whippets regained the lead on a one-yard keeper from Dean, run failed, to take 12-7 over the Wildcats. This would be the Whippets last lead of the night.
Yarbrough found Devon Lee with a 17-yard touchdown strike, kick blocked, giving the Wildcats their second and final lead of the night 13-12. The Wildcats took the 13-12 lead into the half.
Louisville wasted very little time getting on the board in the third quarter when Yarbrough hit Pervis Frazier with a 40-yard touchdown pass, run failed, increasing its lead to 19-12 over the Whippets. Kosy responded quickly with 7:35 remaining in the third quarter when junior running back Kendarius Webster broke a 50-yard run, pass failed, to pull within one point of the lead 19-18.
With 4:02 remaining in the third quarter, the Wildcats answered once again junior running back Kenneth Knowles found the end zone on a nine yard run. Cam’ron Harrington ran in the two-point conversion, increasing the Wildcat lead to 27-18. Neither team would score the remainder of the quarter.
After a back-and-forth battle in the fourth quarter, the Whippets scored their last touchdown of the year when Dean found Harmon again, this time with a 23-yard touchdown strike, pass failed, to get within three points of the Wildcat lead 27-24 with 4:33 remaining in the contest. The Whippets scored this final touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the Wildcat 23-yard line after a holding penalty negated another Harmon score. The Whippets were unable to regain possession of the football as Louisville ran out the clock to take the 27-24 win and No. 2 Region 4-4A playoff seed.
The offensive leaders for the Whippets were Harmon with 93 yards rushing on 14 carries and 50 yards receiving on three catches with two touchdowns; Dean was 5-of-10 through the air for 114 yards and two touchdowns; Webster had 133 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and Outlaw had two catches for 64 yards.
