2A STATE: Bobcats powered by community, ‘special’ season
It’s common for towns to stand behind high school sports teams, especially in the midst of a special season.
When that team is one win away from its first state championship since 1968, the support goes up even more.
White Pine (11-0) will play for its first state title in 43 years when it meets Pershing County (10-1) in the Class 2A final at 3 p.m. Saturday at Damonte Ranch High in Reno.
“It’s been so special,” White Pine coach Paul Bingham said of the breakthrough season. “Our town has been behind us. They’ve got a goal and something to prove. I’ve got kids in elementary school (in Ely) wanting to be our high school players.”
The Bobcats were a combined 4-31 from 2006 to 2009 before their recent renaissance.
One big reason is the play of quarterback Josh Ashby, who has passed for 1,747 yards and 22 TDs.
“He’s smart, he’s very mobile, and he’s hard to take down,” Bingham said of the senior signal caller.
Pershing County will counter with a power running game that rolled up 613 rushing yards in a 44-22 semifinal victory over The Meadows last week.
Marcus Tippens led Pershing County with 301 yards and six touchdowns on 20 carries last week.
“Tippens is obviously a threat,” Bingham said. “What really scares me most is their offensive line. We’re practicing specifically for it. And they’re fundamentally sound on defense.”
The Bobcats also have one of the more consistent defenses in the state. White Pine has allowed 93 points all season, including three shutouts.
The Bobcats’ first two scores in their 28-19 semifinal win over Battle Mountain came on a safety and Joshua Groben’s 27-yard return of a blocked punt.
“Our special teams and defense came through again,” Bingham said. “We had three interceptions, and our secondary was all over.”
In the midst of its first playoff appearance since 2005, White Pine is one win away from the program’s biggest victory in more than four decades.
“It’s nerve-wracking. This is the first time I’ve been nervous,” Bingham said. “But it’s exciting.”
