After a competitive first half, Yazoo County couldn’t keep the pace with Winona as the Tigers rolled to a 36-14 win in district competition.
Winona held a 14-6 lead at halftime, but the Tigers took some risks that paid off and capitalized on Yazoo County’s mistakes for a decisive advantage in the second half. The Panthers also missed opportunities to score in the red zone that proved costly.
The Tigers scored on the first drive, and the Panthers were unable to answer.
James Patterson set up the drive with a kickoff return to the 40, and the Panthers fought to the 10 yard line. The Tigers blocked the field goal attempt to keep Yazoo County off the board, however.
Xzavian Gainwell scored on a three-yard carry to cut it to 7-6 with 10:18 left in the second quarter after a missed extra point kick attempt by the Panthers.
County’s defense made a big stop when Jorden Banks made a tackle in the backfield on fourth down and five to bring the Panthers offense back out.
Both defenses dominated the remainder of the quarter until Winona scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass to the left corner of the end zone and added the kick for a 14-6 lead with just 12 seconds to go before halftime.
Winona opened the second half with a successful onside kick recovery, but the Panthers defense kept them from capitalizing on it thanks to Rodney Jefferson making a tackle for a loss and Winona’s quarterback getting an intentional grounding penalty rather than getting sacked by Ty Boddy.
The Panthers were unable to get anything going offensively, however, and Winona scored again on a quarterback keeper. The snap was bad on the extra point attempt, but the kick holder improvised and completed a pass for the two-point conversion and a 22-6 lead with 4:25 to go in the third quarter.
Yazoo County responded with quarterback TJ Rials completing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Malikh Brown and completing the two-point conversion pass to Cameron Williams. The successful drive cut Winona’s lead to 22-14. That would remain the score heading into the final quarter.
Yazoo County appeared to be in position to tie the game when Winona grabbed a 65-yard pick six for a 29-14 lead.
Winona added another score on an 89-yard run to build on the lead.
Rials completed 16-of-29 passes for the Panthers with a touchdown and two interceptions. Williams had seven catches for 82 yards and Brown had five for 72 and a touchdown.
Chandler Hardman had 14 carries for 87 yards.
In addition to scoring a rushing touchdown, Gainwell had a team-high four tackles with two assists.
Jefferson had three solo tackles, two assists a sack and two tackles for loss.
This week is a must win for the Panthers to stay in playoff contention. Yazoo County (2-3) will travel to Greenwood to face Amanda Elzy (3-3). Amanda Elzy won its first district game last week with a 50-28 win over Ruleville.
