Quick turnaround too much for Panthers to overcome

Charles City's Cecil Tyler totes the ball for a huge gain after receiving a seal block from teammate Justin Thomas.

Andre' Jones photo

Playing two games within a four-day span tends to have weary effects on a football team. Such was the case for the Charles City Panthers in the Sept. 9 contest at the Group 1A fourth-ranked team Sussex Central.

Field position combined with fatigue from visiting Charles City factored in a 46-6 defeat in the non-district contest against the Tigers.

Mental mistakes plagued the visitors early on, as high snaps combined with a lack of blocking forced Charles City to punt on the opening possession. Sussex wasted little time as they marched down the field 48 yards, capped off by Trevon Hatch’s 14-yard end zone dash. On the next offensive play for the Panthers, Hatch intercepted Charles City quarterback Mason Jefferson and returned it 55 yards for a 14-0 lead within a 20 second span.

Charles City failed to muster any offensive threat for the remainder of the first half. Meanwhile, Hatch and Amari Hill added touchdowns via the ground, while Tiger signal caller Malik Delk connected with Alec Bailey on a 55-yard strike. Hill’s touchdown at the expiration of the third quarter rounded out the scoring for the hosts.

Charles City’s offensive bright spot came midway through the fourth quarter. The Panthers moved the ball on the ground, capped off by Cecil Tyler’s 13-yard scamper. That touchdown would account as the only points for the visitors in the contest.

After the game, Panthers head coach Steward Greene spoke about the quick turnaround and the key areas the team needs to work on.

“I thanked these guys because I know they put their heart into this contest,” the head coach said. “It’s very tough to play two games within four days and it was evident tonight because we got fatigued very quickly.

“Still, it’s fundamental with us,” Greene added. “We’re not making the tackles that we need. We got to reach down and find the core that unites us and rise up. That fighting core will be what carries us to the next level.”

Charles City’s defense did perform well, holding Sussex to only 101 yards rushing and 147 to the ground. By comparison the Tigers had garnered more than 400 total yards in their opening contest.

1st Quarter
S (5:53)- Hatch 14 yard run (run fail) 6-0
S (5:33)- Hatch 55 yard interception return (Hatch run) 14-0
S (2:53)- Hill 3 yard run (Delk pass to Edmond) 22-0
2nd Quarter
S (11:49)- Delk 55 yard pass to Bailey (Hatch run) 30-0
S (2:37)- Hatch 19 yard run (Delk pass to Harris) 38-0
3rd Quarter
S (0:00)- Hill 3 yard run (Prosise run) 46-0
4th Quarter
CC (7:14)- Tyler 13 yard run (pass fail)

Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
CC- Jefferson 3/8/17, 1 int.; Crawley 0/1/0
S- Delk 8/11/147, 1 TD, 1 int.

Receiving (receptions/yards)
CC- Crawley 1/14, C. Jones 1/2, Thomas 1/1
S- Bailey 2/61, 1 TD; Edmond 1/37, Rose 1/30, Harris 2/16, Hill 2/3

Rushing (attempts/yards)
CC- Tyler 8/53, 1 TD; Thomas 1/13, K. Jones 1/2, Crawley 1/-1, C. Jones 1/-7, Jefferson 12/-7
S- Hatch 5/44, 2 TD; Delk 4/21, Ellis 3/16, Hill 5/12, 2 TD; Clark 3/8