<p>There were two turning points in the Whiteland-Martinsville tilt on Friday night — one in favor of the Artesians in the first half. The other belonged to the Warriors in the second half, and that turned out to be the ultimate decider as host Whiteland ground out a 25-16 win.</p>
<p>“This win (tonight) came from the way we have practiced the last two weeks,” Whiteland coach Darrin Fisher said. “That’s a testimony to our guys and the effort they have put in the last couple of games.”</p>
<p>On paper this game appeared to be a snoozer, with both teams eliminated from the Mid-State Conference title race, but pride and winning records were still on the line.</p>
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<p>Or so everyone thought. A high-scoring game was expected by most, as Whiteland had been averaging 31.8 points a game and the Artesians 27.4. Martinsville was also giving up a staggering 30.6, including 62 last week against Franklin.</p>
<p>Moreover, in games played between the two since 2006, the winner had not scored fewer than 34 points.</p>
<p>Whiteland (3-3, 2-2) started quick, scoring when Melvin Taylor dashed 33 yards for the score.</p>
<p>That first turning point came in later the first quarter. Martinsville then was driving, but quarterback Xavier Tunitis’ pass was intercepted in the end zone by the Warriors Ewan Niccum. However, instead of taking a knee or falling down, Niccum briefly decided to run the ball and crossed the plane.</p>
<p>He then had a change of heart and sat in the end zone, but as he went from the end zone to the field of play, the officials awarded a safety to Martinsville.</p>
<p>Instead of being up 7-0 and on their own 20, the Warriors led 7-2 and Martinsville had the ball again on a free kick. The Artesians turned that momentum into a 16-7 lead.</p>
<p>Whiteland’s turning point came at a major cost to the Artesians when Tunitis was sacked by the Warriors A.J. Beil early in the second half.</p>
<p>“Defensively, I thought the pressure we were able to get on the quarterback was able to keep him from throwing the ball,” Fisher said. “It made all the difference in the world.”</p>
<p>Dalton Murray’s 3-yard run got the Warriors within two early in the third, and at the start of the fourth, a quarterback sneak by Brant Kunz gave Whiteland its first lead at 22-16.</p>
<p>A 22-yard field goal by Dalton Spangler put the game away with 2:25 left.</p>
<p>Four Whiteland backs — Taylor, Murray, Gavin Lutz and Chase Valentine — all ran for 60 yards or more.</p>
<p>The loss was the fourth consecutive for the Artesians (2-4, 0-4).</p>
<p>Whiteland has another tough Mid-State test next week as it travels to Mooresville to take on the Pioneers.</p>
