Senior Night Success! Panthers Defeat Rebels 37-14

Union County Panthers vs Fannin County Rebels

Varsity Football

October 27, 2017

Location: Blairsville, GA

 

Cheers echoed across the field as the Panthers 2017 Seniors marched down the field with their proud families and a plaque in hand. The players’ names and jersey numbers were called from the announcer’s booth igniting a beaming smile from the seniors as they made their way down the field for the last time.

To emphasize the special occasion, Head Coach Brian Allison chose the entire Senior class to represent the Panthers as captains; however, only 2 of them participated in the coin toss (#8 Cole Wright and #11 RJ Banton).  

With the home field advantage and also receiving at kickoff,  the Panthers scored first.  In an unsuccessful attempt for a pass into the end zone, the Panthers were forced to score first using their kicker #36 Brian Smith.  The 17-yd field goal was good and that made the score 3-0 Panthers in the first quarter.

Forced to punt due to their lack of gained yardage, the Rebels were shorty back on defense.

5 rushing plays and 1 pass passing play later the Panthers scored again!  After fighting his way upfield for an impressive rush and then digging his way into the end zone on 2 additional plays, Senior #15 Cole Dockery scored off a 1-yd rush.  10-0 Panthers with 4:16 left in the first quarter.

Both teams were forced to punt on their last possessions of the first quarter.

Rebels stuck at the 44-yd line, finally put it in gear and rush upfield to the 9-yd line where they then try for a touchdown and succeed.  A Rebels receiver rushes on the left hand side and flies sideways into the end zone increasing the score to 10-7 Panthers with 10:46 left in the second quarter.

A series of passing, rushing, and a 15-yd penalty later put the Panthers in scoring position once more.  Senior #8 Cole Wright zig zagged his way through the pack of Rebels and found his way into the end zone being pulled by his jersey.  The kick was good once more, increasing the score 17-7 Panthers with 8:28 left in the half.

Rebels unable to get passed the Panthers defense and their quarterback being tackled in the backfield, gave up possession at the 38-yd line.

Panthers passed their way upfield this time and put Senior #24 Chad Buzzard in scoring position!  Buzzard rushed up the gut and into the end zone over a pack of Rebels for a touchdown!  24-7 Panthers with 1:22 left in the half.

Possession changed hands a few times before the next touchdown was scored .. then #8 Cole Wright found #4 Kanon Hemphill wide open, hit him with a beautiful spiral, and Hemphill took off upfield for a 60-yd touchdown!  31-7 Panthers with 11:50 left in the third quarter.

Rebels, unhappy with the outcome of the game, dug in and after 10 rushing plays scored once more of a 1-yd rush up the right hand side.  This would be their last touchdown of the game.  31-14 Panthers with 7:23 left in the fourth quarter.

The final touchdown of the game was one made by Panthers Senior #15 Cole Dockery – his best game of the season!  Dockery ran for a 62-yd touchdown up the right hand side of the field and made it untouched into the end zone with the Rebels crying after him!  Ha.Ha.

Final Score: Panthers 37 Rebels 14

Next, the Panthers travel over the mountain to Lumpkin County to face the Indians.  The Indians are now 1-8 overall for the season – should be an easy win!  Game time is set for 7:30 PM!  As always, we appreciate your support Panther fans!

The JV season is officially over; thank you for your support this season!

 

TEAM STATISTICS

RUSHING – 251 yards          PASSING – 236 yards

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Panthers: #8 C. Wright 19-145 (1 TD); #15 C. Dockery 11-88 (2 TDs; #24 C. Buzzard 8-18 (1 TD)  Total: 251 Rushing Yards

PASSING — Panthers: #8 C. Wright 17/27; 236 (1 TD) Total: 236 Passing Yards

RECEIVING — Panthers: #4 K. Hemphill 5-100 (1 TD); #21 S. Drake 4-55; #15 C. Dockery 2-28; #22 A. Pattee 3-20; #84 K. Morlock 1-19; #24 C. Buzzard 2-14