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White House tops Portland in overtime thriller




#61 of Portland Garrett Smith stretches as far as he can to try and block the game tying field goal of #2 Bryson Harper, but just can't quite reach it as White House sends the game to OT and wins 32-31 over Portland. #2 Bryson Harper hit the extra point to win the game for White House. Randy Dixon

#61 of Portland Garrett Smith stretches as far as he can to try and block the game tying field goal of #2 Bryson Harper, but just can’t quite reach it as White House sends the game to OT and wins 32-31 over Portland. #2 Bryson Harper hit the extra point to win the game for White House. Randy Dixon

A 7-yard touchdown run from Ranen Blackburn and a successful extra point by Bryson Harper in overtime gave the White House Blue Devils a 32-31 win at home over their archrival and Region 5-4A foe Portland.  

The win snaps a four-game losing streak for the Blue Devils, who were coming off a tough loss to Watertown last week. 

“This win feels great for our kids,” White House coach Ryan Hamilton said. “They played their tails off and just kept playing, and that’s all we try to preach in practice. Just keep working, and good things will eventually come, and we’re glad they came tonight.”

Portland began the game with a strong start, jumping out to a 13-0 lead after the Panthers’ first two possessions. Both drives ended in touchdown runs from Devyn Fuqua. 

White House finally made things interesting midway through the second quarter. Blackburn, who played quarterback the entire game, broke several tackles on a designed run for a 30-yard touchdown. The Blue Devils entered the half only trailing by six. 

The coin toss is in the air between White House and Portland as Captains #41 Layne Jenkins for White House and #64 Aaron Faulkner for Portland look on. RANDY DIXON

The coin toss is in the air between White House and Portland as Captains #41 Layne Jenkins for White House and #64 Aaron Faulkner for Portland look on. RANDY DIXON

“We had a couple of bumps and bruises throughout practice and we figured it was best for our team if Ranen made the full switch to quarterback,” Hamilton said. “Our kids bought in and stayed on their blocks long enough to make creases for Ranen, and it turned out for the good.”

The second half saw four lead changes in a back-and-forth affair from both teams. White House took their first lead of the night on their opening drive of the third quarter. A fumble at Portland’s 5-yard line from Montrel Black after a 22-yard gain was picked up and taken into the endzone by Reece McAfee for a touchdown. 

The Panthers responded by going on a nine-play, 80-yard drive, ending in a 17-yard run from Fuqua. However, a two-point pass by the Panthers was no good, keeping the score at 19-14. Missed extra points and two-point conversions by Portland would ultimately be the difference in the game. 

The Blue Devils of White House take the field. RANDY DIXON

The Blue Devils of White House take the field. RANDY DIXON

A key moment for White House came late in the third quarter. A high snap led to a blocked punt by Portland, giving the Panthers the ball deep in Blue Devil territory with a chance to go up by two scores.

The White House defense stood their ground by not allowing a first down while stuffing Fuqua on a fourth-and-two run. 

“We missed a couple of extra points, so I was a little antsy about kicking a field goal there,” Portland coach Greg Cavanah said. “We chose to go for it and gave it to our best back, but we just fell a yard short. White House stepped up and made great plays.” 

“Our kids have been faced in worse situations, and we’ve told them to just keep battling,” Hamilton said. “Our coaching staff coached their tails off, and the kids played their tails off, and in the end it really showed tonight.”

#2 Cade Box of Portland takes the ball up field as he is caught from behind and face masked in the process. RANDY DIXON

#2 Cade Box of Portland takes the ball up field as he is caught from behind and face masked in the process. RANDY DIXON

The Blue Devils took advantage of the defensive stand. Blackburn hooked up with Harper for a 32-yard touchdown pass. A successful two-point pass form Blackburn gave White House a 22-19 advantage. 

The lead was short lived as Portland needed only two plays for an answer. Dylan Gulley broke several tackles down the left sideline for a 51-yard run. 

A missed extra point after the touchdown allowed White House to tie the game. A 9-play, 54-yard drive led to a 23-yard field goal by Harper with 11 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

Portland started the first overtime on offense and scored on a 7-yard run by Jalen Pero. However, the extra point was no good, leading to the game-winning plays by Blackburn and Harper.

“Late in the game we got really gashed by the quarterback on his runs,” Cavanah said. “We forced them to kick a field goal at the end of regulation, which was huge. I thought our kids approached the game better and fought to the end. It was just another great White House-Portland ballgame like every year.” 

#36 Dylan Fuqua of Portland takes #33 Austin Dill for a ride as he carries him for a first down against White House. RANDY DIXON

#36 Dylan Fuqua of Portland takes #33 Austin Dill for a ride as he carries him for a first down against White House. RANDY DIXON

Blackburn led White House with 215 rushing yards on 28 carries while throwing for 105 passing yards. Fuqua carried Portland with 115 rushing yards and three touchdowns.  

White House now improves to 2-4 and 1-1 in region play. The Blue Devils will host crosstown rival White House Heritage at home next Friday. 

Portland falls to 2-5 and 0-4 in region play. Three of the Panthers’ five losses have come within seven points or fever. They’ll look to regroup at Trousdale County next week. 

Rhys Blackburn of White House, chases down from behind #21 Dyland Gulley of Portland. RANDY DIXON

Rhys Blackburn of White House, chases down from behind #21 Dyland Gulley of Portland. RANDY DIXON

White House QB Ranen Blackburn brings his offense to the line against Portland. RANDY DIXON

White House QB Ranen Blackburn brings his offense to the line against Portland. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn breaks around the corner of the Portland defense for a first down. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn breaks around the corner of the Portland defense for a first down. RANDY DIXON

QB Ranen Blackburn of White House rushes up the middle for a first down against the defense of Portland. RANDY DIXON

QB Ranen Blackburn of White House rushes up the middle for a first down against the defense of Portland. RANDY DIXON

Portland QB #14 Braden Thorton brings the offense of Portland to the line against White House. RANDY DIXON

Portland QB #14 Braden Thorton brings the offense of Portland to the line against White House. RANDY DIXON

Cade Box of Portland follows his blockers and rushes for a first down against White House.RANDY DIXON

Cade Box of Portland follows his blockers and rushes for a first down against White House.RANDY DIXON

Full back Devyn Fuqua of Portland celebrates his touchdown run to give Portland the lead in the 4th quarter against White House. RANDY DIXON

Full back Devyn Fuqua of Portland celebrates his touchdown run to give Portland the lead in the 4th quarter against White House. RANDY DIXON

QB Cullen Box of Portland gets the snap down and #11 Zach Meador makes his extra point in the first quarter against White House. RANDY DIXON

QB Cullen Box of Portland gets the snap down and #11 Zach Meador makes his extra point in the first quarter against White House. RANDY DIXON

#41 Mason Swonger of Portland makes the tackle on special teams on the kickoff to #2 White House's Bryson Harper. RANDY DIXON

#41 Mason Swonger of Portland makes the tackle on special teams on the kickoff to #2 White House’s Bryson Harper. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn of White House follows the blockk of #35 Derek Long on Portlands #41 Mason Swonger and rushes for a first down. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn of White House follows the blockk of #35 Derek Long on Portlands #41 Mason Swonger and rushes for a first down. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn of White House rushes for a 51 yard touchdown run and out runs the Portland defense. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn of White House rushes for a 51 yard touchdown run and out runs the Portland defense. RANDY DIXON

Dylan Gulley of Portland breaks up the pass from #9 Ranen Blackburn to #2 Bryson Harper of White House. RANDY DIXON

Dylan Gulley of Portland breaks up the pass from #9 Ranen Blackburn to #2 Bryson Harper of White House. RANDY DIXON

#41 Layne Jenkins gets a finger on the pass from Portlands #14 Braden Thorton to #32 Freddy Paxton and breaks up the pass.RANDY DIXON

#41 Layne Jenkins gets a finger on the pass from Portlands #14 Braden Thorton to #32 Freddy Paxton and breaks up the pass.RANDY DIXON

#11 kicker Zach Meador kicks off to White House.RANDY DIXON

#11 kicker Zach Meador kicks off to White House.RANDY DIXON

#9 Ranen Blackburn of White House gets a stiff arm on #15 Braylon Dowlen and rushes for a first down against Portland.RANDY DIXON

#9 Ranen Blackburn of White House gets a stiff arm on #15 Braylon Dowlen and rushes for a first down against Portland.RANDY DIXON

7 Cullen Box, #6 Mason Elliot, and #19 Braxton Cole try to stop #9 Ranen Blackburn of White House with #41 Mason Swonger making the tackle for Portland.RANDY DIXON

7 Cullen Box, #6 Mason Elliot, and #19 Braxton Cole try to stop #9 Ranen Blackburn of White House with #41 Mason Swonger making the tackle for Portland.RANDY DIXON

After being caught from behind by the defense of Portland, #34 Montrel Black coughs up the football in what would have been a turnover but #6 of White House Reece McAfee picks it up and runs it in for a touchdown.RANDY DIXON

After being caught from behind by the defense of Portland, #34 Montrel Black coughs up the football in what would have been a turnover but #6 of White House Reece McAfee picks it up and runs it in for a touchdown.RANDY DIXON

After being caught from behind by the defense of Portland, #34 Montrel Black coughs up the football in what would have been a turnover to Portland, but #6 of White House Reece McAfee, picks it up and out runs the defense of Portland for a touchdown. .RANDY DIXON

After being caught from behind by the defense of Portland, #34 Montrel Black coughs up the football in what would have been a turnover to Portland, but #6 of White House Reece McAfee, picks it up and out runs the defense of Portland for a touchdown. .RANDY DIXON

Rhys Blackburn makes the tackle on #2 Cade Box of Portland. RANDY DIXON

Rhys Blackburn makes the tackle on #2 Cade Box of Portland. RANDY DIXON

#6 Devyn Fuqua of Portland takes it up the middle of the defense of White House for a first down. RANDY DIXON

#6 Devyn Fuqua of Portland takes it up the middle of the defense of White House for a first down. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn of White House makes a dive over the defense of Portland trying to make it to the first down marker. RANDY DIXON

Ranen Blackburn of White House makes a dive over the defense of Portland trying to make it to the first down marker. RANDY DIXON

Portland in a time out White House took, late in the game against White House. RANDY DIXON

Portland in a time out White House took, late in the game against White House. RANDY DIXON

In the second bit of good luck for the White House Blue Devils ,#7 Cullen Box of Portland causes #34 Montrel Black to cough up the ball for the second time on the night, but fortunately the ball went out of bounds instead. RANDY DIXON

In the second bit of good luck for the White House Blue Devils ,#7 Cullen Box of Portland causes #34 Montrel Black to cough up the ball for the second time on the night, but fortunately the ball went out of bounds instead. RANDY DIXON

#9 Ranen Blackburn on a quarterback keeper takes it right up the middle of the Portland defense for a long first down run. RANDY DIXON

#9 Ranen Blackburn on a quarterback keeper takes it right up the middle of the Portland defense for a long first down run. RANDY DIXON

Bodies of the Portland defense were flying as they were trying to stop the rushing QB of White House #9 Ranen Blackburn .RANDY DIXON

Bodies of the Portland defense were flying as they were trying to stop the rushing QB of White House #9 Ranen Blackburn .RANDY DIXON

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