Defense was the name of the game in the Battle of Yazoo, and it ended up being a special teams play that allowed Yazoo City to break Yazoo County’s winning streak in this backyard rivalry matchup.
Jayden Stewart grabbed the football on the run during a Panthers punt and raced 30 yards to the endzone to give the Indians a 6-0 lead with 1:58 to go in the third.
Stewart’s score turned out to be the deciding factor in the defensive showdown.
Yazoo City almost scored in the first quarter when quarterback Kory Price connected with Rorecoss Willis for what would have been a 70-yard touchdown, but the play was called back for a penalty due to an illegal receiver downfield.
As time expired on the first quarter Yazoo City’s Allen Hudson made a sack to force the Panthers to punt from inside their own 20.
Yazoo County’s Tredarius Carr and Alzavian Collins came up with a big sack of their own on the following drive to force a punt that put the Panthers in position near midfield. Kory Gainwell then got a first down run to the Indians’ 40 yard line.
Panthers offensive lineman Marquis Howard later showed off some receiving skills as he snagged a deflected pass and carried it for a first down run.
With 20 seconds to go before halftime a pass interference call against the Indians gave the Panthers excellent field position with a first down on the 24 yard line.
Yazoo City’s Trey Nelson stopped the drive with an interception in the end zone as time expired. Nelson advanced the ball about 25 yards before he was brought down.
Stewart’s score in the third quarter would prove to be the only touchdown of the game.
Early in the fourth quarter Stewart broke loose on a first down run into Panthers territory, but a pair of penalties took make most of the field position gained, and the Indians ended up punting the ball away.
The Indians defense led by Jamarion Taylor held strong, however, and Yazoo County was forced to punt. Yazoo City now had possession at midfield with less than four minutes left in the game.
Laravean Edwards got Yazoo County back in the game with a tackle for loss that forced the Indians to punt, but the Panthers could not get anything going, and an incomplete pass attempt to Gainwell brought up fourth and nine.
The fourth down pass attempt was incomplete, and the turnover on downs put Yazoo City back in control with 2:49 remaining.
Yazoo County seemed to be building some momentum for a last minute score, but Yazoo City’s Nelson grabbed an interception with 23 seconds on the clock to secure the victory.
The Indians (2-1) face Crystal Springs (2-1) this week. Crystal Springs defeated Hazlehurst 26-6 last week.
Yazoo County (1-2) takes on Velma Jackson (2-1). The Falcons defeated Provine 33-12 last week.
