Panthers fall to 0-2

BY RAY VAN COR

The Greenville Standard

 

The Georgiana Panthers hosted the untested 2A Purple Cats of Ariton under the Friday night lights of Harmon Field.

The Panthers suffering an abysmal loss to the 5A Tigers of Greenville last week to the tune of 34-5 while the Purple Cats started their season in Georgiana.

All eyes were hopeful for matching up with the Ariton Purple Cats but to no avail. Under rainy and wet conditions, again and again, the Panthers struggled.

Ariton manage to put 23 points on the board before Georgiana, late in the second half, finally managed to score making it 23–7 at the halftime buzzer.

The Panthers options after considerable mistakes like fumbles on the goal line and in their own end zone just handed the Purple Cats points.

Miscues, high snaps between the center and quarterback was a source for contention all night for the maligned Georgiana offense.

The fourth quarter slowed the Purple Cat onslaught allowing Georgiana to drive with their second team QB and running back and finally put six more on the board with the extra point attempt failing.

With 44 seconds left on the clock and a turnover on downs, Ariton let the clock run out ending the game Ariton 44–13 over the Panthers.

This coming Friday night Georgiana is still at home and will get their first 1A conference meeting of the season against the Wildcats of Florala.

Florala comes to town sporting a road ridden 0–2 record with loses against the 4A Daleville Warhawks 40–8 and 48-20 loss against the 3A Monroe County Tigers.

This cat dust up should be an evenly matched game and fun to watch. It’s obviously too early to make predictions though but by the numbers the Wildcats are a three point favorite.

With Georgiana at home and being a firm believer in Panther head coach Berry Bess, I’ll take the Panthers by six.