Nacogdoches Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive With 51-21 Domination of Whitehouse

WHITEHOUSE — The Nacogdoches Dragons stayed alive in the postseason hunt by using a second-quarter scoring barrage en route to a 51-21 win over Whitehouse on Thursday.

After ending the first quarter in a 7-7 deadlock, the Dragons scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the second quarter — 10 points in the last minute of the half — to seize a 30-14 halftime edge.

Phillip Jones led a potent Dragons (4-5, 3-3 in District 16-5A) running game, as he carried the ball 29 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Noah Hildebrand kept the Wildcats (2-7, 0-6) honest, completing 11 of 14 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns.

Brandon Jones continued to log minutes on offense, scoring two touchdowns.

After a slow start, the Dragons took an early 7-0 edge as Hildebrand hit speedster Alex Gregory for a 40-yard touchdown with 4:11 remaining in the first quarter.

Whitehouse answered on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Roach to Trent Williams to tie the game at 7-7 with 1:16 to play in the first.

From there, the Dragons started to take over.

Brandon Jones took a score in from 7 yards out with 8:46 left in the second quarter to kick off a scoring tear by the Dragons.

Hildebrand hit Kobe Pool in the corner of the endzone on a 19-yard pass with 3:35 left in the half to give the Dragons a 20-7 edge.

Whitehouse responded on a touchdown pass from Roach to Isaac Little with 56 seconds remaining in the half to cut the Dragons’ lead to 20-14.

But the Dragons weren’t content with a six-point halftime lead.

Hildebrand hit Brandon Jones for a 39-yard touchdown pass, and Chris Campos kicked a 37-yard field goal to give the Dragons a 30-14 advantage at intermission.

Nacogdoches’ control continued into the second half.

Phillip Jones scored two third-quarter touchdowns on rushes of 17 and 2 yards to bring the score up to 44-14.

Roach scored on a 6-yard keeper with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter to bring the Wildcats up to 21 points. It would be the last time the Wildcats reached the end zone.

With 10:41 left to play, Hildebrand hit Luther Berry for a 56-yard touchdown to seal the win at 51-21.

The Dragons close out the regular season hosting John Tyler at 7:30 p.m. next Friday, while Whitehouse travels to Lindale.