Panthers opening against Our Lady of Mercy, looking for win

“I have no comment on the officiating Friday night,” said Kirk. “I also know we will correct our mistakes and be ready for our first game against Our Lady of Mercy.”
The scrimmage ran a format different from a regular game. The first half began with each team starting at 20 yards for four minutes, then for the final four minutes starting at the 50-yard line for each quarter.

In the third quarter, the JV teams took the field with the varsity teams returning in the fourth quarter to finish the game.
The Panther players were ready to go well before the game started and not even the drizzling rain could dampen the team’s spirits. Throughout the game the varsity players, especially team captains Jonathan Holton and Charles Smothers kept their sideline in order and cheering for the Panthers.

While both JCCHS and Athens Christian held each other at bay and away from scoring until the second quarter, Athens was the first on the board with a touchdown but couldn’t dial in the extra point. The Panthers offense took over starting at the 20, after a fumble and restart at the 20 yard line, the Jackson County offense was stopped a yard shy after a breakout by the quarterback, but the next play tied the score for the Panthers and with the extra point took the lead. Jackson County secured their position with another touchdown and field goal in the third quarter.

While Kirk’s offensive was not quite up to what he expected, the Panthers’ defensive capabilities were rather promising. A number of quarterback sacks resulted in yardage loss for Athens Christian. Smothers was just one of the players responsible for the sacks which did have the Panthers’ crowd roaring. According to Kirk, the two corners, Charlie Waycaster and Darion Rollins, both stood out in coverage.

“Our defense was exceptional and graded out about a B+,” Kirk said. “Our offense was about a D+. We must get better to compete in 8-AAA.”
After the game, the JCCHS players were pumped and were literally jumping in the air over the victory. After congratulating the Athens Christian coach on a good offense, Kirk calmed down his guys and laid the facts out.

“I had them calm down right after it, enjoy the success, but it means nothing. Our kids understand that our first goal is this Friday and that is and will be our focus this week.” Kirk said, “[Our Lady of Mercy] is a good football team and we must play a great game to give ourselves an opportunity to complete our first goal.”
The team’s first goal is to win their opening game against Our Lady of Mercy, Friday night.

About the challenge of the first goal, Kirk said, “It is going to be a challenge to play four complete quarters. We are so young and depending on young kids is difficult, but our kids have worked hard and will overcome any adversity that they will face to meet our goal.”