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The Whitman High football team used a simple formula to reach the 4A West Region playoffs: a stingy defense, a powerful running game and just enough offense.

That same recipe for success was in evidence again Friday when the second-seeded Vikings hosted third-seeded Paint Branch. But the Panthers stole the formula and used it for their own designs en route to an 18-7 victory, the program's first in postseason play since 1975.

"It's a big win," said Paint Branch senior Torian Henderson, who rushed for a touchdown and anchored a defense that worked three shutout quarters in the win. "The first win since 1975. Our team was excited, but we've got three more weeks."

The Panthers (9-2) will visit top-seeded Sherwood (9-2) on Friday for the 4A West Region crown and a ticket to the state playoffs. Sherwood defeated Paint Branch, 19-0, earlier this season.

The first half Friday was business as usual for Whitman. Hard-charging tailback Kevin Cecala punched in a first-quarter touchdown and the Vikings forced four Paint Branch turnovers, including an interception by Michael Flack at the Whitman 2-yard line with 11.5 seconds left in the second quarter to preserve the Vikings' 7-0 halftime lead.

Paint Branch was a different team in the second half, scoring touchdowns on three of its first four possessions after intermission. Running back Bene't Willis (118 rushing yards) started the turnaround with a 23-yard touchdown run with 7:17 left in the third quarter. He ran up the middle untouched for the score to trim the lead to 7-6.

After an interception by Michael Bryan, the Panthers drove the ball 36 yards on six plays for a 12-7 lead with 3:08 remaining in the third quarter. Henderson raced in from 17 yards out.

"The O-line picked it up," Henderson said. "They got focused. They realized how special this game was to us. Our seniors didn't want this to be our last game, so they stepped it up."

That drive was kept alive by a 12-yard pass from sophomore quarterback David Smith to wideout Ivan Tagoe on fourth down and five. Smith made his first varsity start in place of Tracy Martin Jr., held out because of a thigh injury.

Martin entered the game with around two minutes left and rambled 25 yards to help kill the clock. Panthers coach Mike Nesmith said Martin should return next week.

"I was a little nervous at the beginning, but after the pregame, my nerves went away because I've been waiting for this opportunity all year," said Smith, who went 6 for 15 with 2 interceptions in the first half but was 4 of 6 for 58 yards in the second. "With Ivan, even if he's covered, I can spot the ball different places and I know he'll be there to get it. I think he's one of the best athletes in the county."

Smith and Tagoe hooked up on a 31-yard pass play on their team's next possession to help fuel an 11-play, 57-yard drive that ended on a 4-yard scoring run by Willis.

"This is really big," said Tagoe, who hauled in nine passes for 99 yards. "This is really big for our school and our program."