SOUTH WHITLEY – The Whitko football team won the statistical side of its game with Maconaquah Friday night.

Unfortunately for the host Wildcats, the Braves won the only numbers game that really mattered.

The final points total on the scoreboard at night’s end.

Maconaquah stayed undefeated on the season by handing Whitko a 20-12 loss in the Three Rivers Conference opener for both teams.

The Braves, who joined the TRC this fall along with Peru, improve to 3-0 overall. The Wildcats, who have lost two in a row, fall to 1-2.

Whitko took a 6-0 lead in the opening quarter as Conner Sherwin scored on a three-yard touchdown run.

Maconaquah drew even at 6-6 at halftime on a one-yard scoring run in the second period of play by Luke Hann. Ann then hit Keron Hullum with a 35-yard touchdown toss in the third stanza to give his team a 13-6 edge.

The Wildcats pulled within 13-12 in the third quarter as Gaven Powell scored on a one-yard run.

The Braves added a final tally in the final period as Joe Ferry rushed for a three-yard touchdown for the 20-12 final.

Whitko outgained the Braves by a 269-210 count in total yards. The Wildcats rushed for 262 yards, but completed just 1-5 passes for seven yards.  The Wildcats had one turnover, while Maconaquah had none.

Quarterback Garrett Elder had 17 rushes for 108 yards to lead the ground game for coach Josh Mohr’s Wildcats. Sherwin had 71 yards on 17 carries and Garrett Smiley rushed for 57 yards on six totes.

Ferry led the rushing attack for the Braves, who finished 6-4 last season, with 11 carries for 64 yards.

Sherwin led the Whitko defense with eight tackles on the night. Landen Goff and Colin Craig each had seven stops for Whitko.

Whitko (1-2, 0-1) plays at Rochester and Maconaquah (3-0, 1-0) hosts Wabash in conference play next Friday night.