Panthers strong early, but West Point spoils Charles City homecoming

Charles City quarterback Damian Barnes Jr. carries the ball for a big run while being chased by West Point defender Terique Graham.

Robb Johnson photo

For one half, Charles City’s Panthers played score for score with the visiting West Point Pointers in front of an excited homecoming crowd. But that excitement dwindled after miscues and self-inflicted mistakes changed the tone.

Charles City fell 50-22 to West Point, closing out their regular season during a combination Senior Night and Homecoming Night festivities.

In the first quarter, Charles City trailed 8-0 when quarterback Damian Barnes Jr. led a drive down the field, eventually scoring on a touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion tied the game at eight apiece at the 6:44 mark.

West Point responded, as Michael Holmes TD scamper and subsequent conversion returned the lead to the visitors (16-8) with 3:14 in the quarter.

A Panther turnover returned possession to the Pointers, who faced fourth and long after an unsportsmanlike penalty. Charles City was able to come up with a stop, but a facemask penalty resulted in 15 yards and provided West Point another scoring opportunity. They didn’t squander that chance as Christian Parker ran the ball in for a touchdown, increasing the visitors’ lead to 22-8 to close out the first quarter.

In the second stanza, Charles City took to the air to attack the Pointer secondary. Barnes connected with Damian Zuidema on a 36-yard touchdown score less than three minutes into the quarter to cut West Point’s advantage down to eight (22-14).

On the Pointers next possession, their ground attack from the single wing formation ate five minutes off the clock. That methodical strategy worked, as Holmes finished off a 65-yard drive with a dive into the end zone, increasing the guests’ lead to 16 (30-14).

But Charles City struck back quickly. After a Pointer facemask penalty, Barnes and Zuidema connected again on a touchdown pass from 20 yards out, cutting once again into West Point’s lead as the Panthers trailed by eight (30-22) at halftime.

But with the intermission break come and gone, Charles City’s offense began to stall. Early in the second half, a fumble and interception led to quick scores by the Pointers. West Point added 20 points after the break while keeping Charles City scoreless, ending the night for the Panthers on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

While Charles City fell, they are slated to make the Region 1A playoffs and are tentatively scheduled to travel to Essex to take on the Trojans, who were state champions last year. Charles City forfeited the contest to Essex earlier this year.