Every so often a team finds itself in position do something great that it changes the perception of the program.
Bernard Euell began the process when he was hired, and under his watchful eye, the Panthers transformed into a hard-nosed, smash mouth football team, and with their transformation came playoff berth after playoff berth to the point where it was almost expected of them instead of the occasional aberration.
When Euell left, Robert Dobbs was hired to continue the work and push the program to uncharted heights.
On Friday night, Dobbs’ Panthers created history by ending the regular season 10-0 with a 38-22 defeat of Charleston, the same team that ended their season the previous two years.
After the game, Dobbs was proud of what his team was able to accomplish, particularly since it was against their old foe.
“It’s a great feeling to win the district and go undefeated,” Dobbs said. “It felt even better because it was against Charleston, who beat us the last couple of years. We took the season one game at a time, and it took everyone to get us to this point. Our kids came out and played. They’ve done that all year. It took the players and the coaches.”
But as great as the win felt, it didn’t start off the way the Panthers intended.
After a great defensive effort in the first quarter by the Panthers, Charleston punted the ball away, but the Panthers fumbled the punt right back, leading to a score for the Tigers. After a 2-pt. conversion, Charleston led 8-0.
The Panthers responded with heavy doses of Cherokee Edwards and Kenneth Gainwell, picking up chunks of yards at a time. Their drive ended on a 7-yard touchdown run by Edwards, and after a 2-pt. conversion pass from Gainwell to Rucker, it was tied at 8-8 with 10:13 remaining in the first half.
In the second half, Kory Gainwell broke the deadlock with a 5-yard touchdown run, and his 2-pt. conversion run put the Panthers up 16-8.
Charleston quickly struck back, tying things up with a short run and a 2-pt. conversion pass to make it 16-16 with 1:05 remaining in the third quarter.
Just when it looked as if Charleston had all the momentum in the world, Devarrio Sanders returned the ensuing kickoff for a score. A 2-pt. conversion made it a 24-16 game.
The Tigers tried to drive down the field, but Shun Demus picked off a pass and set up a Kenneth Gainwell touchdown run to put the Panthers up 32-16 with 10:59 remaining in the contest.
Yazoo County stopped the Tigers on their next drive and scored a touchdown, but Charleston matched that touchdown with one of their own, though it as not nearly enough.
Yazoo County won the conference with a 38-22 win over Charleston.
Kenneth Gainwell had another explosive offensive performance in the win, rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Cherokee Edwards took his 12 carries 83 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Devarrio Sanders had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the victory.
Kory Gainwell also scored a rushing touchdown in the district-clinching win. Gainwell also had 13 total tackles, one of which was for a loss, and two pass deflections.
Junior linebacker Kenderian Dixon was a menace all over the field, racking up a team-high 21 total tackles, three of which were for loss.
Ben Luckett pieced together 15 total tackles, four of which were for loss, a sack, and three quarterback hurries.
Speedy safety Jesse Henderson had 11 total tackles, one of which was for a loss.
Kelon Dixon had 10 total tackles, one of which was for a loss, and two quarterback hurries.
Shun Demus had nine total tackles, one of which was for a loss, and an interception in the victory.
While the win, performances, and regular season were historic, Dobbs believes they don’t matter any longer now that the playoffs have begun.
“The job isn’t done yet,” Dobbs said. “We’re done with the first half of the season. The records don’t matter anymore.”
Yazoo County’s playoff run will begin on Friday night when they host Booneville.
Boonville is 5-5 on the season after dropping their regular season finale 21-19 to Belmont.
Dobbs remembers their last battle with Booneville well, and he feels that the key to the game is stopping the run.
“We played Booneville two years ago in the playoffs,” Dobbs said. “Their kids are real tough and scrappy. They will be coached up. They’re more of a running team, but they don’t mind putting the ball in the air if they need to. It will be a good challenge for us.”
Kickoff at Yazoo County is set for 7 p.m.
