COLUMBIA CITY – In the annual grudge match in Whitley County, Columbia City jumped out to an early lead and held off Whitko, 10-8, Friday night.

City used a nine-yard touchdown run from Carson Reed in the second quarter and added a 32-yard field goal by Cory Behm in the third quarter to build a 10-0 lead.

Whitko’s sputtering offense finally broke through in the fourth quarter when Garrett Elder found Garrett Smiley for nine yards and a score. Conner Sherwin rushed in the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 10-8 with 6:02 to go after a 12-play, 89-yard drive.

Whitko was unable to put any more points in the board as City held on for its first win of the season.

Sherwin led Whitko with 68 yards on 15 carries while Elder rushed 16 times for 31 yards. Elder added 18 yards passing. Smiley had a nice night defensively, making nine tackles – two for loss – and added a sack.

Reed led Columbia City with 38 yards rushing. Quarterback Ryan Mosher was 8-23 for 100 yards. The Eagles had just 146 total yards, the Wildcats 152 in the defensive struggle.

Whitko (1-1) will host Maconaquah next Friday, City will travel to Bellmont.