SOUTH WHITLEY – The turnover bug bit the Whitko football team at a really bad time Friday night.

The Wildcats turned the ball over four times en route to falling 26-9 to Rochester in a huge Three Rivers Conference clash.

Whitko, which had protected the ball very well in winning five in a row to take over sole possession of first place in the TRC, drops to 5-3 overall and 5-1 in league play.

The Wildcats are now tied with both Rochester and Tippecanoe Valley atop the TRC standings. Valley improved to 5-1 in league action with a 45-13 thumping of North Miami Friday night.

Whitko hosts Valley and Rochester hosts North Miami next Friday night in the TRC and regular season finales. Valley and Rochester have shared the league championship each of the last two seasons.

Whitko, which had scored 221 points in their last five games, managed just nine in the second quarter Friday night. The Wildcats had three interceptions and a fumble, while the Zebras did not turn the ball over at all.

The Wildcats’ potent ground game was shut down by Rochester. Whitko rushed for just 116 yards in the loss, while the Zebras piled up 305 yards on the ground.

Whitko took a 9-0 lead in the seccond quarter. Quarterback Ethan Nicodemus connected with Garrett Elder on a 90-yard touchdown play. Brady Herendeen then kicked a 49-yard field goal as the Wildcats led 9-0 at halftime.

Rochester, which lost 42-21 at home to Valley last Friday, scored the final 26 points.

Standout tailback Jacob Howdeshell was the difference maker in the final half for the Zebras, who edged Whitko 20-17 last year. Howdeshell scored on touchdown runs of 40 and 80 yards in the fourth quarter to put the game away. He finished the night with 17 carries for 201 yards.

Nicodemus was just 2-10 passing with three interceptions.

Tanner Hughes led Whitko with 76 yards rushing on 17 carries. Trace Killiian had 49 yards on six rushes.

Whitko (5-3, 5-1) hosts Valley and Rochester (6-2, 5-1) hosts North Miami next Friday night.