Perry Head Coach Kevin Smith likened it to a heavyweight fight (but just the latest and greatest in a long season’s worth). His hope, he said, was to “go out there and throw the first punch … and keep throwing them.”
The Panthers did try. They took the ball to start the game and picked up three first downs before stalling on the 26. They brought in Tyler Knowles at that point, but his field goal attempt was no good.
The Jaguars, not literally, but mentally had blocked that first punch. They then threw one of their own, and then another, and another … finally delivering the knockout: 31-7.
Spalding’s first score went seven plays and 80 yards and was finished off by Jaden Jones from 33 yard out. The point after made it 7-0, which is where it stood after one.
The Jaguars added 17 to that total in the second. They scored on a Hayden Jenkins field goal of 35 yards and then scored again on Zion Puckett’s 58-yard run. That was set up by an interception.
Perry got it on the Jaguars’ side of the field following, but came up short on a fourth down try.
Spalding took it from there and ran seven plays and another score from Puckett, this one through the air.
The Jaguars scored again to start the third. This time it was an 11-play drive that ate up nearly six minutes of clock and ended with Lamont Callaway’s 18-yard run. The PAT made it 31-0.
The Panthers began their next drive on their own 40. They again moved inside Spalding territory but again came up short on a fourth down attempt.
The Jaguars punted following – their first three-and-out. Perry took over on the 33 to start and then ran off eight plays – taking the game into the fourth quarter in the process – before finally finding the endzone. Davion Ross did the honor from the 18. The point after made it the final score.
Both punted before a Spalding fumble. Perry recovered it, but was unable to do anything with it as the game clock wound down to the horn.
The loss dropped the Panthers to 0-3 in Region 2-AAAA, 4-5 overall. Spalding improved to 1-2, 2-5.
MCDONALD’S OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME JAY WATKINS. PAPA JOHN’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME DEONTRAE CLARK.
