WHITEHOUSE -- Ennis used a big first-half performance and a solid defensive effort in the second half to earn a 29-14 win over Whitehouse at Wildcat Stadium on Friday night.

Ennis (4-2, 3-0) remained unbeaten in District 16-5A ahead of its showdown at home next week against fifth-ranked John Tyler (5-1, 3-0). Whitehouse (3-3, 0-3), meanwhile, dropped its third consecutive game to open district play.

Quarterback Devin Smith accounted for three touchdowns to spark Ennis offensively. He completed 10 of 20 attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 14 times for 48 yards and two more scores.

Whitehouse's Eric Munoz scores a touchdown during the Wildcats' 29-14 loss to Ennis on Friday night in Whitehouse. (Jim Jackson, ETSN.fm)
Whitehouse's Eric Munoz scores a touchdown during the Wildcats' 29-14 loss to Ennis on Friday night in Whitehouse. (Jim Jackson, ETSN.fm)
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Ennis also produced two 100-yard rushers on the night. Tre Elliott had a team-high 111 yards on 14 carries, while Taylor Thompson ran for 102 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts.

Whitehouse quarterback Jackson Allen was 18 of 33 passing for 236 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the losing effort.

Each team traded two touchdowns in the opening quarter.

Smith's 20-yard touchdown run and Thompson's two-point conversion gave Ennis an 8-0 lead. Allen connected with Drew Smith for a 22-yard touchdown on Whitehouse's ensuing possession, which trimmed the deficit to 8-7 with 6:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Ennis extended its lead to 15-7 on Smith's 6-yard run, before Whitehouse again got within a point on a 20-yard scoring pass from Allen to Eric Munoz.

The Lions scored early in the second quarter on a Thompson 5-yard run. Elliott's reception on the two-point conversion gave Ennis a 23-14 lead with 10:12 to play in the half.

The score remained the same until Smith's 5-yard touchdown pass to Thompson accounted for the game's final points at the 4:38 mark of the third quarter.

Whitehouse is back in action next Friday night at Corsicana.

[Stats courtesy, DallasNews.com]

Whitehouse's Justin Dunning (3), Cade Parrish (29) and Nate Brooks bring down Ennis' Taylor Thompson during their game Friday night in Whitehouse. (Jim Jackson, ETSN.fm)
Whitehouse's Justin Dunning (3), Cade Parrish (29) and Nate Brooks bring down Ennis' Taylor Thompson during their game Friday night in Whitehouse. (Jim Jackson, ETSN.fm)
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