WHAT WE SAW: Sharpe, White Knoll Cruises Over Spring Valley
In this article:
White Knoll coach Nick Pelham knew the significance of the win even though he downplayed it. The Timberwolves had the benefit of four touchdown passes from Landon Sharpe Landon Sharpe 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB White Knoll | 2025…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhite Knoll coach Nick Pelham knew the significance of the win even though he downplayed it.
The Timberwolves had the benefit of four touchdown passes from Landon Sharpe Landon Sharpe 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB White Knoll | 2025 State SC and won the battle of special teams in defeating No. 10 Spring Valley 36-9 Friday night in what is the most significant win for Pelham in his second season on the job.
“I’ve told anyone that will listen, there are great children and great parents (at White Knoll),” Pelham said. “We’ve preached for a year and half that we’re going to be proud of who we are. We’re going to be proud of our school. We’re going to be proud of White Knoll football.”
Sharpe is just a sophomore, but he looked calm and collected in the pocket. He completed 13-of-16 for 195 yards and rarely put the ball in danger. The offensive line was led by junior Ty Bennett. They had some trouble getting much push in the ground game, but they gave Sharpe time to find his trio of receivers.
Junior Austin Cunningham led the way with five receptions for 51 yards and touchdowns of 11 and 12 yards. Evan Henderson had three catches for 80 yards and a 40-yard TD that got the scoring started for the Timberwolves. Jaiden Kimble Jaiden Kimble 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC had two catches for 42 yards and a 27-yard score.
All three made catches in traffic and did it with ease.
“Landon is still only a sophomore,” Pelham said. “He’s played a lot of football but he’s still just a sophomore. He’s getting nothing but better. The receivers had a great game as well.”
Kimble was instrumental in special teams as well. He punted and averaged 48.3 yards a kick and he twice pinned the Vikings inside their own 10-yard line.
The turning point came late in the first quarter when the Timberwolves scored two touchdowns in a manner of 21 seconds late in the first half. A one-play drive resulted in the 40-yard TD pass to a wide-open Henderson. After forcing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Sharpe connected on the 11-yard scoring pass to Cunningham for a 22-3 lead. They eventually led 29-3 at the half.
Junior linebacker Tyler Stoudemire finished with 15 total tackles, three tackles for loss and fumble recovery for the Timberwolves. Fellow junior linebackers Hayden Cushman and Marcus Domenech recorded eight tackles each.
White Knoll’s defense limited Spring Valley to just 178 yards of total offense.
The Vikings defense only allowed 272 yards of total offense. They kept having to try and stop the Timberwolves after they started drives on the Spring Valley side of the 50. Senior linebacker David Wilson David Wilson 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Spring Valley | 2023 State SC was credited with seven tackles unofficially, but he was disruptive on several plays.
Senior running back Evan Javis Evan Javis 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Spring Valley | 2023 State SC was the bright spot for the Vikings offense. He finished with 62 yards on 15 carries and added another 41 yards on three receptions.