The (9-0) Whitney Young Dolphins ended their regular season as the conference champions after they defeated the (7-2) Taft Eagles 21-6 Thursday at Lane Tech Stadium.
“This game was very important to us because our first goal was to win the conference championship so we’re very pleased that we were able to do that tonight,” Whitney Young Coach Tim Franken said.
During the game both teams’ defensive lines stood firmly as neither team scored until the second half of the game. Young’s sophomore running back Kendred Belk scored not only the team’s first two touchdowns but scored his first touchdown of the season in the third quarter.
“We came out flat in the first half, but in the second we picked it up and they couldn’t stop us,” Whitney Young sophomore running back Miles Baggett said. “I was very proud of Belk because it was his first two touchdowns of the season and he did a great job.”
Belk also expressed not only how excited he was to score his first touchdown but how tough Taft made it for him to score.
“Their defense was very good so we just had to step it up,” he said.
Franken and his players displayed great honor and respect towards the Taft Eagles not only on the field but off as well.
“We were playing a good team that was well-coached, organized and they made us work for everything we got,” Franken said. “So, you have to give them credit because they played a great game.”
The Dolphins will continue their winning streak as they head into the playoffs with aspirations of winning the state championship.
“This was a very big game in regards to becoming the conference champions and seeding for the state playoffs,” Baggett said. “At this point I feel like we are a team to beat and now we want to win state.”
