Panthers end regular season on high note with 50-14 win

Even with an inferior opponent taking the field against Charles City for a Nov. 2 non-district football contest, Panther coach Steward Greene questioned the preparedness of his team after only one day of full practice due to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. His team, however, had the answers.

Charles City (5-5) scored 20 first quarter points and saw nine different players contribute to the scoring column on its way to a 50-14 victory over Arcadia’s Firebirds (3-7) as part of a Senior Night celebration.

Right out the gate, Panther defensive tackle Trevon Adkins recovered a fumble by Firebird running back Devin Wilson. Three plays later, running back TeSean Greene cruised in from 10 yards out for the touchdown. Jaquane Wyatt added the two-point conversion to up the score to 8-0.

The hosts struck big again on the first play of their next drive. Quarterback Avery Jones’ 59-yard pass to Jaelan Cotman upped the lead to 14-0. After another Arcadia turnover deep in Panther territory, Jones elected to call his own number, spun out of tackles and outran defenders 77 yards to give Charles City a 20-0 lead transitioning into the second quarter.

The visitors would fire back with a big play of their own. Running back Micky Greffard fumbled a handoff, but as Panther defenders dove for the ball, Greffard recovered and found a path to the end zone for a 77-yard score. Chris Burton’s run would cut the Panther lead to 20-8.

Arcadia failed to capitalize on a Panther turnover soon after and Charles City would make amends. Jones took over the rest of the first half, running in from 30 yards out. Then just before halftime, Jones connected with James Adkins who made his first career catch. Adkins made the most of his opportunity, outracing defenders to give the Panthers a 34-8 lead.

After halftime, Jovan Howard picked up where Jones left off. Howard’s 20-yard run stretched the lead to 42-8. Howard then scored again, this time off a fumble recovery as he trotted in from 37 yards.

Arcadia’s final score came on the ensuing kickoff when Burton received the ball and scrambled down the far sideline for 79 yards to cut the score to 50-14. Only the mercy of the running clock prevented the score from getting out the hand.

After the game, Greene said while his team played well, he expects more heading into the playoffs.

“Last year, we were one and done in a very close game,” said Greene. “This year, we are in a better position to make a deeper run, and I have a lot of talent and experience that can take us there.”

Greene is hoping his nine seniors will push the younger athletes into wanting more success.

“They [seniors] have to lead by example and build up the confidence of our younger players,” he said. “This bunch has been through ups and downs but in order to win these upcoming games, they have to lead and show maturity.

Arcadia————       0     8      6      0     ——     14

Charles City——     20    14    16     0     ——     50

1st Quarter

CC (10:02)- T. Greene 10 yard run (Wyatt run) 8-0

CC (6:46)- Cotman 59 yard pass from Jones (run fail) 14-0

CC (1:22)- Jones 77 yard run (run fail) 20-0

2nd Quarter

Arcadia (8:31)- Greffard 74 yard run (Burton run) 20-8

CC (2:35)- Jones 30 yard run (Williams run) 28-8

CC (:43)- Adkins 38 yard pass from Jones (run fail) 34-8

3rd Quarter

CC (10:35)- Howard 13 yard run (K. Greene run) 42-6

CC (8:29)- Howard 37 yard fumble return (C. Johnson run) 50-8

Arcadia (8:07)- Burton 79 yard kickoff return (pass fail) 50-14

Rushing (attempts/yards)

Arcadia- Holden 8/15, Major 6/12, Greffard 5/92, Wilson 5/92, Burton 5/1, Copes 3/26.

CC- T. Greene 9/47, Wyatt 6/29, Howard 5/29, Vaden 5/9, Jones 3/107, McElroy 2/-8, Cotman 1/21, Williams 1/3, K. Greene 1/3, C. Johnson 1/3, Crewe 1/0. Clancy 1/-4.

Passing (completions/attempts/yards)

Arcadia- Major 1/7/38, 2 Int.

CC- Jones 5/11/136. 2 TD; Howard 0/1/0.

Receiving (receptions/yards)

Arcadia- Sanns 1/38.

CC- Howard 2/21, Cotman 1/59, Adkins 1/38, Carroll 1/18.