Aside from Fayette County, the hottest team in Region 2-AAAA is Whitewater, which came form behind to defeat region rival Woodward Academy 24-7 for its sixth straight victory Friday.

Woodward quarterback Corey Manning threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Greg Patton to hand the War Eagles an early 7-0 lead, but Whitewater (7-2, 6-1 in the region), led by wingback Thomas Frierson’s three touchdowns, stormed back to pull out the win.

Frierson (16 carries, 81 yards) had a 40-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Whitewater’s rushing attack pounded Woodward’s defense into submission; Whitewater finished with 244 total yards of offense, all of which were rushing.

Fullback Collin Wooddy, who opened numerous holes with his blocking, had 64 yards rushing on eight carries, and quarterback David Byrd had 47 yards rushing on six carries.

“We got most of our yards after the first quarter,” Whitewater coach Amos McCreary said. “Woody did a tremendous job blocking for us, and our offensive line played well. Frierson has been hitting the wholes a lot better, too.”

Whitewater’s suffocating defense also played a key role against Woodward; the Wildcats held Woodward to under 200 total yards of offense (164).

"Our defense has played well all year," McCreary said. "They're a real quick bunch, and they fly to the football."

Two momentum-changing plays made by Whitewater were free safety Jeffrey Ashley’s interception and defensive tackle Chris Wingate’s blocked punt, which defensive back Brandon Antoine scooped up and returned 29 yards, setting up one of Frierson’s three touchdowns.

J.C. Jennings also made an impact, kicking a 47-yard field goal for the Wildcats.