Heading into the second round of the playoffs Water Valley was expected to be the team that was finally going to present a serious threat to unbeaten Yazoo County.
For a few minutes it looked like that might actually be the case.
But the Panthers used the same formula that has been a recipe for success all season to defeat Water Valley 35-7 with the visiting team’s sole touchdown coming in the final seconds of the game. The two ingredients to that formula are an explosive offense and smothering defense, and Yazoo County has perfected the recipe this season.
Panthers quarterback Kenneth Gainwell posted another performance to remember by completing 12-of-20 passes for a touchdown with one interception and rushing for 47 yards and two touchdowns on a dozen carries.
Dontrell Green was Gainwell’s favorite target with three receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Coach Robert Dobbs named Green the Player of the Game due to his receiving performance and three pancake blocks on the night.
Devarrio Sanders had nine carries for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Cherokee Edwards had 11 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown and two receptions for 11 yards, and Kory Gainwell added two carries for 21 yards.
K.J. Irvin had four catches for 43 yards, and Cory Rucker had three catches for 20 yards.
Kendarion Dixon and Jesse Henderson added two points with a safety that gave the Panthers a 23-0 lead just before halftime.
Dixon also had three solo tackles, five assists and two fumble recoveries.
Henderson also had two solo tackles, four assists, three pass deflections and a blocked punt.
Austin Dees had one solo tackle, four assists, two tackles for loss and a sack.
Kelon Dixon had four solo tackles, five assists, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
Dyevionte Brown had three solo tackles, four assists two tackles for loss and a sack.
Ben Luckett had three solo tackles, seven assists, two tackles for loss and a sack.
Marlon Brown had one solo tackle, four assists and a forced fumble.
Kenneth Gainwell scored the first touchdown of the night to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead with Jamie Ortiz’s extra point kick.
Edwards scored on a 10-yard run to put the Panthers up 14-0 in the second quarter.
Sanders added the third touchdown of the night on a 12-yard carry with just 35 seconds to go before halftime, and the safety made it 23-0 at intermission.
Green caught a touchdown pass with 9:02 left to play for a 29-0 lead.
After a scoreless third quarter, Kenneth Gainwell scored on a five-yard keeper for a 35-0 lead with 5:35 to play.
This week the Panther travel to Houston for round three of the playoffs.
The Hilltoppers defeated North Pontotoc 27-13 last week.
