The Georgiana Panthers earned their second shutout in as many weeks as the team routed the Kinston Bulldogs 50-0.

The 50-point lead was secured before halftime and, as a means to stay healthy and gain some valuable experience, Georgiana head football coach Ezell Powell opted to give his second string a chance to secure the goose egg.

“The kids just got out there and did a good job of executing,” Powell said. “We saw some openings that they had on defense, and we just took advantage of it.  The guys did a great job of running the ball, throwing the ball and they caused turnovers on defense that led to touchdowns.  It was just one of those team efforts; everybody played well in all aspects of the game, and before we knew it we were up big.”

The Panthers saw productivity from a variety of sources, as eight different running backs touched the ball Friday night and three different receivers reeled in touchdown catches.

Though next week will prove one of the most challenging of the regular season as the Panthers face Bulldogs of a different sort in Brantley.

What’s more, the Bulldogs will undoubtedly have a chip on their shoulder after suffering a loss to Georgiana and losing the region champion crown to the Panthers.

But for Powell, next week is just another step toward securing a state championship.

“We know it’s going to be a hard-fought ballgame,” Powell said. “We know we’re going up against a good football team, and the same things are at stake this year that were last year.  The winner will be in the driver’s seat for the region again.  But we like the challenge.

“These young men have worked really hard for the opportunity to get on that field and play.  It’s always a hostile playing environment, but in order to establish ourselves as a force in this region on a consistent basis, we’ve got to be able to go into Brantley and see if we can pull of another win.”

The Panthers will travel to face the Bulldogs of Brantley Friday.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.