SOUTH WHITLEY – Whitko righted the ship Friday night in a big way with a 42-20 rout over Southwood in the Three Rivers Conference opener for both teams.

The host Wildcats piled up 345 rushing yards to notch their first victory of the season.  Southwood, which lost 45-0 to Whitko in 2011, drops to 0-3.

The 1-2 rushing tandem of Tanner Hughes and Devin Gerding each had big nights for Whitko. Hughes gained 132 yards on 23 carries with a two-yard touchdown run. Gerding, who returned to action after being out a week ago due to an injury, had 109 yards on 11 rushes with a 20-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats took a 14-0 lead with a pair of scores in the opening period Friday night. The hosts led 28-13 at halftime and added two more touchdowns in the third quarter.

Quarterback Alex Stoddard attempted just five passes for the winners, but hit on three of them for 109 yards. He connected on touchdown tosses of 20 and 54 yards to Connor Stouder.

Colton LeTourneau added an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown for the Wildcats.

Each team had two turnovers in the contest, all of those coming on lost fumbles.

Whitko (1-2, 1-0) plays at TRC foe Manchester next Friday night.