LINCOLN - Oct. 9, 2009 - Whittemore-Prescott wrapped up its third straight MHSAA playoff berth Friday, surviving an early challenge by Alcona before claiming a 34-20 victory.

The Cardinals (6-1) have now qualified for the playoffs in 11 of the last 12 and 14 of the last 16 seasons.

Dylan DeBoever threw three touchdown passes to pace the Cardinals, including a 28-yarder to Kevin Dupuis and a 30-yarder to Chris Downes in the second quarter that helped W-P pull away to a 34-12 halftime lead.

The Cards and Tigers played a wild first quarter, trading off two touchdowns apiece.

Downes opened the scoring with a 7-yard run and kicked the extra point, but Alcona's Chris Stewart answered with a 27-yard jaunt of his own to get the Tigers within 7-6.

DeBoever hit Dupuis with his first touchdown pass of the night, a 3-yarder at the 54-second mark, but Stewart answered on the last play of the quarter with a 47-yard run to make it 14-12.

Downes, who finished with 156 yards rushing on 14 carries, scored his second touchdown of the night with an 8-yard run to cap the Cards' next possession.

Kevin Fettes, who led Alcona with 130 yards on 30 carries, threw a halfback option pass to Stewart for a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter, but that was as close as Alcona could get.

Stewart finished with 88 rushing yards on 14 carries for the Tigers (3-4).

DeBoever was 6-of-10 passing for 115 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, with Adam Rumbold catching three passes for 54 yards.

Matt Harrington had 10 solo tackles and one assist and Ryan Zanon had five solos and one assist to lead W-P's defense.

Alcona (3-4) travels to Oscoda (3-4) on Oct. 9, while Whittemore-Prescott heads to the Thumb to take on Kinde North Huron (4-3).