Local Sports
Panthers stumble against Athens
Hornets’ defense gives Westwood trouble all night
By SCOTT TYLER
Sports Editor
Throughout the season, Westwood quarterback Tevin Watson has had the ability to escape pressure and find a way to make big plays.
But Friday night, that evading maneuvers were nullified by an Athens defense that put the clamps on the Panthers in a 27-10 Hornets win at Panther Stadium.
Athens put tremendous pressure on Watson and the Westwood offense, getting seven sacks and two interceptions and putting the Panthers in a hole in District 20-3A.
“Athens had a good defensive scheme and we did not protect very well,” Westwood head coach Kevin Anderson said.
With the loss, Westwood (3-4) drops 0-2 in district, tied with Fairfield at the bottom of the standings. With three games left, the Panthers most likely will have to win out to stay in the playoff picture. Westwood travels to Crockett next week.
“There is no doubt our backs are against the wall,” Anderson said. “For us, we have to win out to make the playoffs.”
The Westwood prolific passing attack never seemed to be able to get going against Athens. The Panthers had passed for over 200 yards in five of their six games this season but were held to 126 passing yards and no touchdowns through the air against the Hornets.
The Panthers also were without starting running back Cameron Shead, who was hurt the week before against Brownsboro. Without Shead, Westwood rushed for only 68 yards, its fourth straight game under 100 yards rushing.
“I don’t think not having Cameron affected us that much,” Anderson said. “We still have to go out and play without him.”
Westwood struck first as the Panthers took advantage of a fumble — Athens’ only turnover of the game — in the first quarter, giving the Panthers the ball on the Hornets’ 32-yard line.
Two plays later, Watson, on a quarterback sweep, got to the left corner, slipped a tackle, then put a move on a defender to get by and go into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
But the lead would not last for long as Athens used five plays including a 24-yard pass from Jack Barkley to Courtney Whitehead to get into Westwood territory and another 24-yard pass from the same duo for a touchdown. On the slant pass, Whitehead caught the ball, bounced off the defender and then headed to the end zone to tie the game at 7-7.
Athens did not take much time to take the lead. After a three-and-out by Westwood, the Hornets’ Justin Hofstetter broke free right through the middle on the first play for a 49-yard touchdown run and Athens led 13-7 with two seconds left in the first quarter.
Hofstetter scored another touchdown on a 9-yard run in the second quarter and the Hornets led 20-7 at halftime.
The 20-points in the first half was more points than Athens had scored in all but one of its games this season (the Hornets had 22 points in a lopsided loss to Mexia).
On each scoring drive in the first half, Athens had a play of over 20 yards as Westwood struggled to make a tackle in critical situations.
After the game, Anderson had difficulty finding words in regards to what the defense needs to do to get better.
“We have to come out and work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” Anderson said.
- Local Sports
-
-
Suffocating defense
SLOCUM — In the regional quarterfinals, Slocum struggled to hit a shot for the first three quarters against Miller Grove, but their defense kept the Mustangs in the game until Slocum found its range in the fourth for the win.
-
Slocum ready for Nazareth’s best
SLOCUM — All year long, the Slocum Mustangs are used to having a target on their back.
-
Leading the way
When the University Interscholastic League’s boys state basketball tournament starts Thursday, a pair of Dogwood Circle teams — Cayuga and Slocum — will be aiming for a state title.
And leading those two teams are a pair of coaches who have helped put their programs on the basketball map. Cayuga head coach Greg Jenkins and Slocum head coach Jay Bruce know each other from their teams playing one another and watching each other’s team. Each coach has a huge amount of respect for the other.
-
Coming off the bench
BETHEL — For the last two weeks, Cayuga head coach Greg Jenkins has talked about the most important part of his team for the playoff run is his bench. -
Wildcats head to Austin looking to rely on big-game experience
BETHEL — The Cayuga Wildcats are heading to the biggest basketball stage, but when head coach Greg Jenkins takes his squad into Austin, he is not worried about nerves. - Ladycats top Hudson, get chance at district title
- Baseball/Softball Briefs
-
Back to Austin
SLOCUM — After the Slocum Mustangs won the Class A, Division II state title last year, there was one week off and then it was back to work.
-
At the forefront
BETHEL — On the football field, Traylon Shead and Malcome Kennedy teamed up to be one of the best one-two combination on offense in the state.
-
Patton sisters named to state tourney team
AUSTIN — A pair of Neches players were named to the UIL state basketball All-Tournament team after the Lady Tigers won the state title Saturday night.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
