Seniors do the scoring as Panthers rout Mathews 56-6 in home finale

Senior Troy Crawley (7) turns the corner around Mathews' defender Justin Ashberry in what results as a 12-yard touchdown run.

Andre' Jones photo

During the week of practice, Charles City head football coach Steward Greene reminded his team of the previous two meetings against the invading Mathews Blue Devils.

“Two years ago they came in here winless and beat us,” Greene told his team. “Last year, we beat them at their place and knocked them out of the playoffs. Don’t let them do the same to you this year.”

Message received.

With the twelfth-graders accounting for every point on the scoreboard, Charles City rolled to a 56-6 victory over Mathews to highlight senior night festivities Friday night.

Early in the contest, the visitors rocked Charles City back on their heels. Signal-caller Stuart Anderson would keep the ball on a quarterback option and scramble 57 yards down to the five-yard line. After three unsuccessful attempts, Anderson called his number on fourth and goal from the one. The quarterback escaped the grasp of a Panther defender and found the end zone for a 6-0 lead. A lead that lasted for 12 seconds.

On the ensuing kickoff, Charles City’s Mason Jefferson scooped up the rolling ball at the 26 yard line. The shifty Jefferson found a seam in front of the Panthers’ bench and scurried 74 yards for the score. Classmate Cecil Tyler’s run gave the hosts an 8-6 advantage.

Charles City’s stingy defense set the tone for the contest. After Mathews regained control of the ball deep in Panthers territory, Tyler would sack Anderson in the backfield, causing the ball to lay on the ground. Teammate Kyle Jones scooped up the ball and returned it 89 yards for the Panthers to lift the lead to 16-6 after the first quarter.

Things didn’t get better for the visitors after exchanging sides of the field. Tyler, now at running back, toted the ball on a thunderous 71-yard touchdown run. He added a second score on a 32-yard carry to give Charles City a comfortable 32-6 halftime advantage.

Even the halftime break didn’t help the Blue Devils. Jefferson took the opening kickoff for the Panthers 93 yards for the next score. Four minutes later, Jefferson connected with Jones on a four-yard pass, but the recipient would shake off a tackle and carry it 47 additional yards into the end zone and stretch the Panther lead to 42 (48-6).

Charles City’s final scores came courtesy of seniors Troy Crawley and Justin Thomas. Crawley toted the ball in from 12 yards and his first touchdown of the year, while Thomas’ conversion run pushed the final margin to 56-6 for the hosts.

After the contest, Greene said his performance was pleasing.

“We played with the poise that we’ve been looking for all year,” said the victorious head coach. “After that early score we didn’t panic; we just regrouped.

“This week we’ve been upfront with them of what it would take to make the playoffs,” Greene continued. “We told them to do their job and let the chips fall where they may.”

And so far the chips have played in the Panthers’ favor. With losses by Northampton, Surry County, and Lancaster, Charles City heads into a win or go home contest at West Point next Friday.

“Next week’s winner has a pretty strong chance to get into the dance,” Greene added. “We know they’re going to be ready; but so are we.”

Charles City improves to 4-5 on the season.

1st Quarter
M (7:19)- Anderson 1 yard run (run fail) 6-0
CC (7:07)- Jefferson 74 yard kickoff return (Tyler run) 8-6
CC (0:16)- K. Jones 89 yard fumble return (Jefferson pass to Crawley) 16-6
2nd Quarter
CC (7:12)- Tyler 71 yard run (Jefferson pass to Thomas) 24-6
CC (2:03)- Tyler 32 yard run (Tyler run) 32-6
3rd Quarter
CC (11:45)- Jefferson 93 yard kickoff return (Jefferson pass to K. Jones) 40-6
CC (7:52)- Jefferson 51 yard pass to K. Jones (Tyler run) 48-6
4th Quarter
CC (6:46)- Crawley 12 yard run (Thomas run) 56-6

Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
M- Johnson 4/6/60, Anderson 0/1/0, Monroe 0/1/0, 1 int.
CC- Jefferson 5/8/104, 1 TD.

Receiving (receptions/yards)
M- Anderson 2/30, Monroe 2/30.
CC- K. Jones 2/69, 1 TD; Thomas 2/31, Crawley 1/4.

Rushing (attempts/yards)
M- Anderson 14/73, 1 TD; Monroe 14/41, Thompson 4/8, Atwood 1/1, Spencer 1/-3, Johnson 3/-33.
CC- Tyler 6/138, 2 TD; Crawley 2/41, 1 TD, K. Jones 1/21, Mason 1/15, Jefferson 5/5, Dobson 1/2, Seay 1/1, Crewe 1/0, Smith 1/0.