CLEVELAND — White County started a football season with two consecutive wins for the first time since 2001, rolling to a 33-0 win Friday over East Hall.

White County, looking for its sixth consecutive win dating back to last season, started the first half with a bang. After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, White County only need four plays to get on the scoreboard, with Ashley Lowery scoring from 4 yards out.

The offense went on to score one more touchdown and a field goal to stretch their lead to 17-0.

But the night belonged to a Warriors’ defense that held East Hall to 22 total yards of offense and only one first down.
"The defense has played well two weeks in a row," Coach Gregg Segraves said. "We’re hungry and we’ve got a good coaching staff."

And though the coach was happy with the win, it was the Warriors’ nine penalties for 85 yards that he was focused on afterward.

"You hate to be negative after a win," Segraves said. "But we have got to cut out the mistakes. We can’t play a good Gainesville team (next Friday in Cleveland) and make any mistakes."

East Hall was its own worst enemy in the first half with a couple of untimely turnovers. The first fumble set up a White County score to make the score 14-0. But it was an interception by Lowery that led to the game’s turning point of the game.

With White County up 17-0 on the East Hall 4-yard line, Tyler Dotson rolled to his right and heaved up a pass. It went through an East Hall defender’s hands and into the waiting arms of Cam Segraves, who toe-tapped along the end zone for a score that gave the Warriors a 24-0 lead going into the half.

White County added to its lead, despite the numerous penalties, when Lowery scored on an 11-yard run early in the third quarter. Mark Bardenwarper’s second field goal, from 41 yards, capped the scoring.

East Hall stood strong in the first half but was not able to get anything going on offense against a stout defensive effort by White County. With only 10 seniors listed on the roster, the Vikings (0-2) continued to play hard.

The schedule may turn to East Hall’s favor the next couple of weeks with home games against Lumpkin County and Gilmer.

White County faces unbeaten and second-ranked Gainesville (2-0) next week in Cleveland.