Staying in the race

Panthers try to keep playoff hopes alive in final home game

By SCOTT TYLER

Sports Editor

The Westwood Panthers know what it at stake.

They also know they have to take it one game at a time.

A 0-2 district start put Westwood with its backs against the wall, needing to win out to make the playoffs.

“We know what we have to do,” Westwood head coach Kevin Anderson said. “And we are going to take it one game at a time.”

The first step was a win over Crockett last week. After that was accomplished, the next step is Friday night against Fairfield. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Panther Stadium.

Westwood (1-2, 4-4) looks to continue to build off a solid performance in a 42-29 win at Crockett. After struggling offensively the first two district games, the Panthers exploded for 425 yards — their most yards since the second week of the season.

Westwood rediscovered its running game in the win over the Bulldogs. After not rushing for over 100 yards in any of its previous four games, Westwood rushed for 197 yards Friday night.

“It is a testament to our offensive line,” Westwood offensive coordinator Roger Mays said after Friday night’s win. “They bought into what we are doing and they did a great job.”

The return of running back Cameron Shead also helped the run attack. Shead, who has been banged up since the final non-district game, missed Westwood’s previous game against Athens.

In Shead’s return, the Westwood senior rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

“It looked like he was excited to get back on the field and he ran the ball hard,” Mays said.

Shead’s presence may also have opened up running lanes for quarterback Tevin Watson, who had a season-high 111 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

“Cameron added another dimension that allowed Tevin to run the ball more,” Anderson said.

The Westwood passing game also was back and full strength as Watson threw for 228 yards and a touchdown. He also was not sacked against Crockett after being brought down for nine sacks the week before.

“Our offensive line rose to the challenge and did a great job with protection up front,” Anderson said.

Fairfield (0-3, 0-8) is still in search of its first win of the season, but the Panthers know not to overlook the Eagles.

Since the fourth week of the season, Fairfield has lost several close games — three by less than a touchdown. Fairfield took Palestine to the limit in the district opener, leading the Wildcats late in the game before Palestine scored the final 10 points to rally and win.

Last week, Fairfield led Athens 13-6 at one point in the third quarter. But the Eagles allowed a safety and touchdown in the fourth quarter to see their lead disappear.

In the final minutes, Fairfield had the ball trying to put together a winning drive, but Athens had an interception return for a touchdown that put the game away.

Turnovers have hurt the Eagles during district play. Fairfield has turned the ball over 15 times in three games. On top of that, opponents have scored nine times off of those turnovers.

Justin Terry has moved from quarterback to running back after the injury to Darian Scott. Terry has scored five touchdowns in district play.

Notes: Westwood has won the last three games against Fairfield, including rallying for a 28-14 win last season. In those three games, Westwood has outscored Fairfield 138-72. ...Friday is senior night for Westwood. ...Westwood wide receiver Domanick Turner leads the Dogwood Circle with 50 receptions for 786 yards. ...Watson has been able to spread the ball around in Westwood’s passing game. In five of the seven games, Watson has found at least five different receivers. In the win over Crockett, six receivers caught a pass.

————

Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com

PANTHER STATISTICS

Team Stats

Offense

First Downs: 122

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 245-1,167-4.8

Passing Yards: 1,679

Total Yards: 2,846

Comp-Att-Int: 98-154-4

Fumbles-Lost: 24-8

Penalties-Yards: 40-344

Opponents

First Downs: 125

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 279-1,815-6.5

Passing Yards: 1,182

Total Yards: 2,997

Comp-Att-Int: 84-135-4

Fumbles-Lost: 26-9

Penalties-Yards: 54-494

Individual Stats

Offense

Rushing

Att-Yards-Avg-TD

Cameron Shead, 86-574-6.67-8; Tevin Watson, 108-411-3.81-7; Domanick Turner, 27-132-4.89-2; Rodney Watson, 12-22-1.83-1; Bryce Lyman, 5-17-3.4-0; Nick Morrow, 3-9-3.0-0; Mitchell Coleman, 4-2-0.5-0.

Passing

Comp-Att-Yards-Yards/Att-TD

Tevin Watson, 97-153-4-1,628-10.64-11; Bryce Lyman, 1-1-0-51-51.0-1

Receiving

Catches-Yards-Avg.-TD

Domanick Turner, 50-786-15.72-4; Nick Morrow, 18-365-20.28-3; Cameron Shead, 11-220-20.0-5; Des’Mone Williams, 13-135-10.38-0; Bryce Lyman, 6-88-14.67-0; Rodney Watson, 3-31-10.33-0.

Scoring

Cameron Shead, 78 (8 rushing TDs, 5 receiving TD); Tevin Watson, 42 (7 rushing TDs); Domanick Turner, 36 (4 receiving TDs; 2 rushing TD); Tyler Dillon, 32 (3 field goals, 23 PATs); Nick Morrow, 18 (3 receiving TDs); Rodney Watson, 6 (1 rushing TD); Kendrick Reeves, 2 (1 conversion).

Individual Defense

Tackles

Rodney Watson, 50; Domanick Turner, 43; Cameron Shead, 40; Mitchell Coleman, 26; Nick Morrow, 25; Aaron Stanhope, 24; Dustin Brister, 23; Theron Dingas, 21; Jacob McKinney, 17; Tevin Watson, 15; Bryce Lyman, 14; Kyle Carroll, 12; Todd Simmons, 11; Bryce Turman, 9; Rico Harris, 7; Tadarius Edwards, 6; Shaun Anderson, 5; Travell Jordan, 5; Kendall Calhoun, 4; Des’Mone Williams, 3; Dustin Campbell, 3; Kendrick Reeves, 2; Justin Nolen, 2; Dennis O’Bannon, 1; Tyler Dillon, 1; Jose Munoz, 1; Thomas Largent, 1.

Interceptions

Nick Morrow, 1; Domanick Turner, 1; Rodney Watson, 1; Tevin Watson, 1.

Sacks

Jacob McKinney, 1.

Fumble Recoveries

Jacob McKinney, 2; Dustin Brister, 2; Rodney Watson, 1; Tyler Dillon, 1.

Forced Fumbles

Cameron Shead, 2; Aaron Stanhope, 1.