Although the Panthers show progress, it wasn’t enough to beat the West Jones Mustangs.
Non-divisional 5A West Jones wins against Quitman in their 3rd contest of the year.
Head Coach Steven Bynum said, “We showed a lot of progress, but the small things still need work. We must continue to fix ourselves.”
Captains for tonight’s game were #57 Leemark Jones, #67 Meliq Sawyers, #62 Turner Duvall, #58 James Kinsey and #56 Marquese Johnson.
The Panthers won the toss and deferred to the second half. After the kick the Mustangs take over the ball on their own 33 yd. line after a 3 and out series. West Jones punts and the Panthers take over on downs where they have a 3 and out series. After #2 Williams’ punt, the Mustangs take over on downs and the Panther defense holds them to another 3 and out.
Quitman changes quarterbacks to #12 Johnson after 3 downs, then an interception by the Mustangs. After 2nd down, a pass by the Mustangs result in a touchdown with the PAT good; the score is 7 to 0 Mustangs.
After the kickoff the Panthers take over on their 37 yd line. On 1st down #22 Levi Myrick on a sweep around the end for a 9 yd pickup. On the next play #14 Javantae Charles picks up 1st down. On the very next play the Panthers fumble the football but recovers and #11 Lewis has a good gain, bringing up 4th down Panthers did not make the line to gain. The quarter expired with a score of Mustangs 7 Panthers 0.
On 1st down the quarterback is sacked and on 2nd down #55 Zeke Campbell has a TFL on 3rd down another tackle for loss bringing up 4th and 20 with a incomplete pass allowing the Panthers to take over on downs.
The Mustangs kick to the Panthers through the end zone for a touchback, the Panthers start on the 20 yard line. After a 3 and out and a short punt by #2 Williams, Mustangs take over on the Panther’s 37 yard line. On the next possession #54 Cooley has a TFL and on 3rd down Cooley is assessed a penalty giving the Mustangs a first down. On the next play the Mustangs try the middle for a run for a touchdown; Mustang 21 and Panthers 0.
That would end the Mustangs scoring and defense would control the game for the rest of the night.
At halftime I caught up with the Mustang’s coach Scott Pierson and asked him what did he think about the Mustang’s first half of play. “We made some plays but it’s a long way from over,” said the Mustang’s coach.
On to the 2nd half of play. After the kick by West Jones, the Panthers take over and gain a 1st down. On 3 consecutive series, Coach Pierson had seen enough and called a time out to try and settle his squad down. On the next series of downs the Panthers go for a fourth down and did not make the line to gain. The Mustangs take over on downs. After 3 and out and short punt the Panthers take over and take the ball to the Mustangs 9 yard line and the Mustang defense tightens up for 4 downs when #16 Brijuan Dace punches it in from the 1 yard line for Quitman’s first touchdown of the night. Dace splits the uprights for the PAT the score now is West Jones 21 Quitman 7.
After the kickoff the Mustangs take over, Quitman’s defense stiffens and put the Mustangs in a 3rd and long when #15 Jalen Watts on a personal foul gives them a first down. Although the Mustangs march down field, the Panther’s defense would not give in. After coming up short the Mustangs turn the ball over on downs.
The Panthers take over for a 3 and out on a good kick by Williams. The Mustangs take over and end up facing a critical 4th down. After a time out West Jones goes for it and gets the line to gain, then Quitman’s defense shows toughness and holds on the next series of downs for 4 plays and take over on downs. On 2nd and 10 #11 Lewis drops back for a pass to #22 Levi Myrick for a 28 yard gain. After a couple of good runs deep in Mustang territory, #14 Devantae Charles sweeps right with a shifty move and take the ball in for a score from 9 yards out. Dace adds the PAT, with 2:18 left in the 4th Quarter, West Jones 21 Quitman 14.
The Mustangs take over after a short kick, and using time outs and a good defense, the Panthers hold and take over with 1:13 left in the game. On 3rd down #11 Lewis is intercepted. The Mustangs down the ball with a final score Mustangs 21 Panthers 14.
Notable players for tonight’s game on defense are: #16 Brijuan Dace - 12 tackles, 6 asst., 9 yds, 1 TD; #5 Taderius Chapman - 7 tackles, 3 asst., 1 TFL; #18 Dervon Altman - 4 tackles, 2 asst., 4 hurries, 1 TFL; #55 Zeke Campbell - 3 tackles, 2 asst., 1 hurry, 3 TFL; #54 Chris Cooley - 4 tackles, 5 asst.
While #15 Jalen Watts commanded a triple team, he ended with 2 tackles, 3 asst., 1 hurry, 1 TFL.
Coach Bynum said, “Watts is who allowed the others to get free to tackle. His effort was a good one.”
Offense notables: #11 Jed Lewis - 51 yds, 90 pass yds, 1 INT receiving; #26 Tydrekius Carpenter - 28 yds; #14 Devantae Charles - 20 yds, 1 TD; #13 Latrell Hatten - 2 for 28 yds; #3 Dontavious Hall - 2 for 25 yds; #22 Levi Myrick - 1 for 28 yds.
The Panthers host 4A East Central at Panther Field Friday, Sept. 9.
