Whitwell's football team has yet to allow a touchdown this season, pounding its way to 4-0 with a 43-0 drubbing of Signal Mountain on Friday night.
The Tigers' stingy defense came in allowing an average of about 50 yards per game, and their home matchup against the Eagles (1-3) brought it down even further.
"It's just a team effort and coaching," said Whitwell's Hudson Petty, a running back and defensive back. "We have the best defense in the state. I believe that."
Whitwell's defense did its best to back up Petty's claim, hardly letting Signal Mountain even inch forward. The Tigers forced five turnovers and allowed just 36 yards.
On offense, Petty gave the Tigers a 14-0 halftime lead after scoring touchdowns in each of the first two quarters and converting on a two-point conversion, but first-year coach Randall Boldin said the offense really clicked in the second half.
"We started a little slow, but our kids kept fighting," Boldin said. "We have a new offensive system for the most part, so they're still learning. We were able to make some adjustments at halftime and the offense played flawlessly in the second half. On defense, we're playing about as good as you can play, and we're really close on offense."
Quarterback Warner Ashworth helped spark the offense in the second half, racking up 102 yards on 13 carries. He added a touchdown with 7:59 left in the third quarter to make it 21-0.
"Warner is a heck of an athlete," Boldin said. "I was a little upset when he threw that ball up for grabs, so he came out for a little while, but he got back in there and we got back to our chart with him."
Petty added his third score of the night to open the fourth quarter, and workhorse Trace Condra tacked another one on for the Tigers before the defense made its final statement.
A sack and a fumble recovery deep in Eagles territory set up a 4-yard run for Thundur Roberts to wrap up the scoring. Whitwell then sealed it with an interception.
"I wouldn't trade our defense or our defensive staff for anyone," Boldin said. "Our kids have a lot of experience. They know the game, and they know just about everything someone's going to throw on us."
Condra rushed for 116 yards on 22 touches and delivered a big hit late in the fourth quarter to force an incompletion. Petty had 57 yards on the ground and added a second two-point conversion run.