LOCUST GROVE - A battle of field position and dominant play by both offensive lines helped Whitefield Academy snap its three-game losing streak with a 27-10 victory at Strong Rock Christian on Friday.

"I'm very proud of our guys up front," Whitefield Academy coach Jimmy Fields said. "It kind of turned into a slugfest, and I thought our line of scrimmage on both sides of the football did pretty (well)."

Fields said that his staff was particularly focused on line play going into the game.

"We were concerned (about line play) coming into the ballgame," Fields said. "You know Strong Rock has a very strong line of scrimmage themselves."

The Wolfpack rushing attack was led by sophomore Khalen Pinkett and Richard Sherrell. Sherrell led Whitefield in rushing with 115 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown, while Pinkett scored two touchdowns, averaging 9.2 yards per carry.

In a game marked by long drives, Whitefield opened up with a nine-play drive, but had to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Thomas East. The drive stalled in part because of a slow start by Wolfpack quarterback Max Kemether. The junior was 1-for-5 on the opening drive, but would settle down, completing 5-of-7 the rest of the way to finish the game 6-for-12 for 67 yards.

Strong Rock's first drive was cut short when Kemether intercepted a deep pass by Patriots' quarterback Zach Moss. The Wolfpack wasted no time on the three-play drive, with Kemether throwing a 20-yard pass to Jay Fields. Fields' leaping grab took the wind out of Strong Rock's homecoming crowd.

Pinkett then set the tone for the rest of the game, darting through a hole in the left side of the line for a 22-yard score.

The Patriots threatened before the half, but the Wolfpack blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt by Travis Dauro.

Strong Rock received the ball to start the second half, and mounted a 19-play, 10:29 second drive but again had to settle for a field goal attempt. This time the Patriots' line held and Dauro split the uprights on the 21-yard attempt to cut the lead to 13-10.

This would be the closest Strong Rock would get to their first Region 5A win.

Strong Rock fell to 0-5 in region play. Whitefield moved to 2-3, but is looking up at Eagle's Landing, who is 6-0 in region play after Friday night.