Plainfield edges Whiteland 28–27 behind Ellis’ four touchdowns
Vanderbush’s late interception seals victory after Warriors’ fourth-quarter rally
Staff Report
PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Ethan Ellis supplied the touchdowns. Coen Vanderbush delivered the final stop.
Plainfield survived a furious Whiteland comeback Friday, Oct. 9, holding on for a 28–27 Indiana high school football victory after stopping a late two-point conversion and intercepting a pass on the Warriors’ final possession.
The Quakers improved to 6–2, while Whiteland fell to 2–6.
After a scoreless first quarter, Plainfield’s offense broke through with three second-quarter touchdowns. Whiteland scored once, leaving the Quakers ahead 21–7 at halftime.
The Warriors began closing the gap in the third quarter, scoring seven unanswered points to enter the fourth trailing 21–14.
Whiteland pulled even at 21–21 before Ellis’ fourth rushing touchdown and Liam McAdams’ extra point restored Plainfield’s lead to 28–21.
The Warriors kept coming.
A late drive reached the Plainfield 8-yard line, and Whiteland scored on an 8-yard run to make it 28–27. The Warriors attempted a two-point conversion for the lead, but Plainfield stopped the run.
Even then, the outcome remained unsettled. Whiteland recovered an onside kick near midfield and advanced into Quakers territory. Vanderbush ended the threat with an interception at Plainfield’s 13-yard line in the closing minute, preserving the one-point victory.
Ellis finished with 166 rushing yards and all four Plainfield touchdowns on 15 carries, averaging 11.1 yards per attempt. He also caught three passes for 32 yards, giving him 198 yards from scrimmage.
The Quakers rushed for 200 yards and finished with 289 yards of total offense. Bryce Sebanc completed nine of 20 passes for 89 yards, while Zander Nattam led the receivers with four catches for 42 yards.
McAdams converted all four extra-point attempts, a critical contribution in a game decided by a single point.
Jack Nagy led Plainfield’s defense with 15 tackles and a fumble recovery. Gavin Riddell added 12 tackles, while Vanderbush finished with 11 tackles and his decisive interception.
Hayden Hrbek also intercepted a pass, helping the Quakers collect three takeaways.
Scoring by quarter
Team1st2nd3rd4thFinalWhiteland0771327Plainfield0210728
