Photo by SCOTT POWELL Blacksburg quarterback Josh Elmore tries to escape a tackle in Friday's 28-0 loss to Whitmire. The Whitmire defense turned thievery into an art form Friday evening in a 28-0 victory over Blacksburg.

Whitmire made three of its five interceptions near the goal line to steal scoring opportunities that were vital to Blacksburg's hopes for its first region win. The picking party started on the first possession when Marcus Lindsay intercepted quarterback Josh Elmore at the 7 yard line.

"Turnovers have plagued us all year," Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss said. "Whitmire is a good football team. We knew when we came down here that if we didn't turn the ball over we would have a good chance to win."

Whitmire cashed in on the turnovers to take a 22-0 halftime lead behind the elusive running tandem of running back Jarrell Ruff-Smalls and Lindsay. The pair combined for 213 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Ruff-Smalls scored on a 17- yard run after an interception by Lindsay ended the first Blacksburg drive. Lindsay added touchdowns of 37 and 67 yards for Whitmire in the first half.

The teams played the second half in a heavy downpour.

Blacksburg was able to move the ball inside the 10-yard line on two occasions in the second half. Both scoring opportunities ended in interceptions.

Lindsay threw a 15-yard touchdown pass for a 28-0 Whitmire lead with 3:28 left in the third quarter.

Blacksburg had a chance to get on the board in the third quarter when wide receiver Chris Hames appeared to catch a pass in the end zone from quarterback Darrell Walton. Officials ruled the ball had touched the ground before Hames caught the ball.

Blacksburg finished with 224 yards in total offense. Elmore led the Wildcats on offense with 74 yards passing and 34 yards rushing.

Blacksburg falls to 1-7 overall and 0-2 in the region. Blacksburg can qualify for the Class A playoffs by winning its remaining home games against region foes Southside Christian and Landrum.

"We have a lot of young kids playing some new positions and they are working hard," Moss said. "I'm very proud of their effort tonight. They never quit."