After the long drive back from Harrison Central, the Panthers prepared for one of the most controversial games of the season. It all started on the 50 for the coin toss. Jaleil Cameron, Shawn Coleman, Akylin Dear, and Justin Bilbrew were captains for the coin toss that determined that the Panthers would kick off the game.
In the first quarter of the game, Chartavious Williams kicked the ball to the Wildcats’ 39-yard line. In record time, the Wildcats pushed the ball up the field to the Panthers’ 10-yard line in just two plays of the game. The Panthers managed to gain control of the ball from a fumble on the play and set up to punt the ball. The Panthers kicked the ball to their own 46-yard line. The Wildcats then ran the ball to the Panthers’ endzone, making for the devastating first blow for the Quitman Panthers. The Wildcats attempted a two point conversion that the Panthers blocked. The starting score was Panthers 0 - Wildcats 6.
The Wildcats kicked the ball to the Panthers’ 36-yard line. The Panthers accidentally fumbled the ball on their 36-yard line, and the Wildcats recovered the ball. The Wildcats scored another touchdown from the Panthers’ 36-yard line with a pass to the endzone. The two point conversion was no good and left the Panthers behind with a score of Panthers 0 - Wildcats 12. Luckily, in the next play, the Wildcats kicked off the ball to the Panthers’ 40 where both Cameron and Dear were able to team up for the touchdown the Panthers needed to get on the board. The two point conversion attempted by Cameron was no good. That would be the only time the Panthers scored in the game.
The Wildcats, in the second quarter of the game, scored a touchdown, but it was no good on the PAT. Nearing the endzone for the Panthers, Cameron was injured due to a bad tackle and was rushed to H. C. Watkins Hospital for injury evaluation. Cameron is expected to make a full recovery from the incident on the field. No significant advancements were recorded for the rest of the second quarter.
The Quitman High School Big Blue Crew came out to the halftime with a surprise. The start of the show began in song with vocals being performed by Akaysha Pace and guitar being played by Jorge Salinas. They performed “If I Only Had a Heart.” After the show, a small scale speech was given by the head band director, Charlie Sorto—a small speech with a huge impact. Sorto spoke about how much effort the students put into this production.
“Out of 113 students, 70 students are involved with other athletics. Ten students are in archery, eight students are in e-sports, 11 students are in choir, four students are in football, 15 students are in cheer, eight students are in soccer, four students are in baseball, 10 students are in softball, four students are in basketball, seven students are in powerlifting, two students are in tennis, six students are in volleyball, two students run track, and two students are in cross country. This takes a lot of commitment from not only the students, but from the parents and other coaches that share these athletes. I’m very thankful that I work at a place that allows the sharing of students so that they can be fully involved in the school,” said Sorto on Facebook.
The Big Blue Crew will be facing their first round of competition this upcoming weekend.
Out of the final two quarters of the game, the Wildcats claimed victory in the fourth quarter with their final six point touchdown with their two point conversion failing.
The final score of the game was Panthers 6 - Wildcats 24.
This week is homecoming week for the Panthers, and they will be facing the Stone Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. at home!
