Panthers claim second consecutive region championship

Published 11:39 pm Friday, October 14, 2016

The Georgiana Panthers are the champions of Class 1A Region 2 once more with a 57-9 victory over the Pleasant Home Eagles.

The Panthers got it done in every way imaginable tonight, but most notably through the air as Georgiana quarterback Jamichael Stallworth found targets for big-time yardage—seven completed throws for 238 yards passing (an average of 34 yards per pass).

Georgiana head football coach Ezell Powell said that it was the Panthers’ balanced approach that prevailed Friday night over the Eagles.

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“We did a good job of mixing up the run and the pass,” Powell said. “We hit some big plays in the passing game that hurt them.”

But the Panthers’ defense and special teams played a large role, as well.

“The defense did a great job of holding them and giving us short fields,” Powell continued. “Defense also scored a touchdown and we got another one on punt return, so we just did a great job of executing all-round.  It was a team win.”

Most impressively of all is that the Panthers did it without a core member of their offense and defense—Cameron Longmire, who suffered an ankle injury (his second in three weeks) against McKenzie last Friday.

“We didn’t play him tonight,” Powell said. “We’re trying to get him rested up and as close to 100 percent as he can be so that he’ll be ready to go for next week.”

Though the region championship is decided, the last thing Powell and the Panthers plan to do is let their foot off the pedal at the end of the race.

A tough Houston County team is looking to make a name for itself as newcomers to Region 2.  With region losses to only McKenzie and Brantley, the Lions have proved a fearsome foe for many a Region 2 team this season.

“We’re going into the game undefeated, and our goal is to come out of it undefeated,” Powell said.  “The kids know our expectation—our expectation is to win every ballgame we play. It won’t be any different next week. We’re going to go out, have a good week of practice and try to beat a good Houston County team.”

Georgiana travels to Houston County next Friday.  Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.