Panthers roll over Knights

By: | SCNOW
Published: August 27, 2008

KERSHAW – The McBee Panthers varsity football team opened its 2008 campaign with a win over the North Central Knights 44-20.

McBee head coach Terry Sowell was not overly pleased with the effort, however. “I know this sounds strange,” he said, “but to me, we got outplayed.”

The Panthers had several big plays that resulted in points, including running back Justin Bristow’s 86-yard kickoff return and some excellent play by McBee’s special teams units. “We won the special teams part of the game,” said Sowell, “and that’s really what did it for us.”

The game was 28-14 at the half, and Sowell said North Central scored on the opening drive of the second half to bring the score 28-20. “Our defense played better after that,” Sowell said.

The offense did have its highlights, however. Aside from the kickoff return, Bristow had 128 yards rushing on 12 carries and three touchdowns. Santoneo Wright added 63 yards on nine carries, and Dalonta Dunlap added 65 yards on 10 touches. Both Wright and Dunlap had a touchdown apiece.

Wright also led the Panthers’ defense with eight and one half tackles on the night.

Sowell said he felt the running backs ran well in the game, and the stats showed as they amassed 277 total yards rushing. The coach also liked the play of McBee’s linebackers and the secondary on the defensive side of the ball. Quan Murphy also recorded a key interception in the game. He said, however, the defensive line must improve on playing lower and holding its ground.

McBee(1-0) will face a tough Scott’s Branch team this Friday in McBee at 7:30 p.m.