Friday proved to be a challenge for the Panthers, with a rain soaked field, miscues and penalties Laurel won the contest 31 to 0. Quitman has not seen any action since last year at St. Stanislaus. Last week they were to travel to Green Co. for some jamboree action and the week before for midnight madness, but the weather stopped those trials.
Captains for Friday’s contest were Senior LB Corp (8), Jerry Gaines (16), Brijuan Dace (15), Jalen Watts (5) and Ta’Darius Chapman.
In first quarter action, the Panther defense held Laurel to a 3 and out as well as a holding penalty. On Quitman’s first possession the Panthers had a 3 and out as well with a miss-snap that led to a punt by (2) Jaycolby Williams. On the second series defense stopped the Tornadoes for another 3 and out the punt pinned the Panthers deep in their own territory, “Which was the story most of the night.”
On Quitman’s next series, the Panthers pick up a first down with some impressive running from (4) Saveonne Evans then the Panthers were barred by a false start and holding penalty, bringing up 4th and 17 causing the Panthers to punt. On Laurel’s next possession on 2nd down, Laurel’s quarterback threw a long pass to be picked by Quitman’s (20) TK Cameron. On The Panther’s next possession time expired with the score 0 to 0 to end the 1st quarter.
After a punt by the Panthers to start the 2nd quarter, Laurel went 3 and out. The Golden Tornadoes punt proved to be a good one, pinning the Panthers deep in their own territory just inside the 5 yd line. After 3 downs inside their red zone a mishandled snap allowed the ball to go through the end zone for a safety, with 8:39 left in the 2nd quarter the score was 2 to 0 Laurel.
On the kickoff Laurel’s kick returner scampered for a good gain inside of Quitman’s side of the field to the 38 yd line giving them a short field. On 1st and 2nd down the Panthers held the Tornadoes on 3rd down and 12 yds. to go. Laurel’s quarterback connected with wide receiver Drummond for 33yds bringing up a 1st and goal from the 5 yard line.
The Panther defense would not allow the Tornadoes in the end zone, on some very stiff defense, now the Panthers take over on downs. On the first play from scrimmage quarterback (7) Evan Dyess was tackled in the end zone giving up another safety bringing the score 4 to 0 with 6:48 left in the first half. On the kickoff Laurel runs the ball back for a touchdown and the PAT was good, the score is now 11 Laurel 0 Quitman.
On Quitman’s next possession on 2nd down Laurel picks the Panthers for an interception. On Laurel’s next series of downs the Golden Tornadoes had a holding penalty causing them to have a 1st and 20 after the quarterback could not find an open receiver he scampered for 11 yards bringing up 4 yards for a 1st down. They were successful, now it was 1st and goal at the snap and an inside handoff to the lone running back was successful.
Scoring from 2 yards out the PAT was no good, with 4:32 left in the first half Laurel 17 Quitman 0. With a change of Quarterbacks (11) Jed Lewis was given the duty after 3 unsuccessful downs. The Panthers got creative and attempted a fake punt and made more than the line to gain with (5) Chapman running the ball only to be brought back by a holding penalty causing the Panthers to punt the ball.
The Laurel Tornadoes had a chance to work on their hurry up offense with several plays. The Panther defense proved to be tough ending the half with a 17 to 0 score.
At halftime the bands performed from the off field sides due to the poor condition of the mud laden field. I was able to catch up with both coaches coming out after the half. I asked Laurel’s Coach Breland what he thought about the first half of play “We didn’t make a lot of mistakes we capitalized on Quitman’s. I see a very good effort from both teams, clean up a few things and I feel good about our future.” I asked Coach Steven Bynum for his thoughts on the first half “Don’t give up big plays and get something going on offense.”
On to the 2nd half the Panthers were a little late coming out after halftime; after a penalty was assessed we begin the second half. On the kickoff return, Panthers fumbled the ball with the Golden Tornadoes recovering on the 2 yard line. After two plays, Laurel scores, bringing the score to 24 to 0, with 9:03 left in the 3rd quarter.
On the kickoff from Laurel our two kickoff returners (#3) Detavious Hall (#13) Jevontae Charles ran into each other and muffed the kickoff, down by their own contact, deep into their own territory.
After a series of 3 and out by the Panthers, Laurel gains possession and on 4th down, Laurel scores again. This brings the score to 31 to 0, with 3:36 left in the 3rd quarter and would prove to be the end of the scoring.
For the remainder of the game, Quitman’s defense stiffens and kept Laurel out of the end zone for the rest of the night. The final score was Laurel Tornadoes 31 and Quitman Panthers 0.
With a 195 yards given up on defense and 42 offensive yards from the Panthers, Bynum said, “We have some things to clean up. We have to fix ourselves. Although there was some positive to take away from the game, we must clean up some things to get better.”
Notable defensive players for the night were your leading tackler (16) Brijuan Dace with 10 solo, 3 assists, and 1 pass deflection, (5) Tadarius Chapman with 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 assists, (6) Shamorie Harris with 6 tackles and 1 assist, (10) DeMarcus Smith with 4 tackles and 1 assist, (20) T.K. Cameron with 1 interception and 2 pass break-up, (25) Dorian Altman with 4 tackles, D-lineman (55) Zeke Campbell with 5 tackles, and (54) Chris Cooley with 4 tackles, 1 assist, 1 tackle for loss. Notable offensive players were (4) Saveonn Evans with 25 yards and (11) Jed Lewis with 23 yards.
Come out and support the Panthers next Friday, August 26, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. as they travel to Kemper County High School.
