Lackluster performance leads Mathews’ upset of Panthers

Panther running back Mason Jefferson (4) braces for impact from Mathews' Cody Correll as teammates Hunter Jones (58) and Benjamin Benford (64) provides additional blocking and protection.

Andre' Jones photo

Halloween traditions usually call for kids going door to door, saying “trick or treat” and either receiving candy or having a trick played on them. For Charles City’s Panthers, it was no treat in Friday night’s home season finale.

Mathews Blue Devils, who entered the contest with a 0-8 record, stunned the hosts Panthers 28-21 during the Oct. 31 contest and ruining senior night festivities.

The visitors began the game methodically, taking advantage of short field position thanks to a Panthers failed onside kick attempt. The result ended with a Tyler Zabel one-yard plunge into the end zone. Mason Kent’s kick gave the guests a 7-0 lead.

Charles City fired back thanks to the run game of senior back Jaquane Wyatt. Wyatt took a handoff and scampered 44 yards into Blue Devil territory before tacking on nine more yards for a touchdown score. Craig Jones’ placement knotted the game at seven apiece as the teams headed into the second quarter.

Facing fourth and two deep in their territory, the visitors took a gamble with a fake punt. The conversion was successful, sparking Mathews to drive the field. Quarterback Thurman Hudgins connected with Kent for a 29-yard pass, which was followed by successful counter running plays by Cody Correll, the last going for 11 yards and a score to increase the guests lead 14-7, a lead that stood pat until the half.

Midway through the third frame and facing a fourth and 13, the Panthers elected to go for the first down instead of punting. The play call prove nightmarish, as Charles City quarterback Troy Crawley’s pass would be intercepted by Zabel, who returned it 40 yards for a score to increase the Blue Devils’ lead by 13 (20-7). With one minute left remaining in the third quarter, Charles City orchestrated a key scoring drive, capped off by Cecil Tyler’s 20-yard run on a misdirection play to cut the deficit to five (20-15).

The Panthers carried momentum from their drive into the fourth quarter. Senior defensive end Charles Vaden sacked Hudgins, forcing a Mathews’ punt. Mason Jefferson fielded the punt and scampered down the near sideline in front of the home crowd for 48 yards. With 7:59 showing on the clock, Jefferson would tote the ball for 26 yards and a touchdown and give the Panthers their first lead of the night (21-20).

The visitors failed to be deterred. On the ensuing kickoff, Jordan Bozza found a seam up the center of the field and returned it 28 yards. Milking the clock, Mathews moved the ball on the ground for the next five minutes, before Hudgins punched in a two-yard touchdown score to return to the lead to the guests. Josh Foster’s two-point conversion increased the margin to seven (28-21).

Charles City received the ball and looked to matriculate down the field. However, on the second play from scrimmage, Crawley’s pass was intercepted by Kent. The Panthers’ defense stood pat, able to get the ball back with 37 seconds on one final drive.

On the first play, Crawley connected with Tyler on a 16-yard screen pass down to the 25-yard line. On the next play, chaos ensued as Crawley was forced backwards, with his pass attempt being batted. The deflected ball landed in Crawley’s hand, who had fallen on his back. The loss of seven yards forced Charles City to spike the ball with three seconds remaining. On the final play, Crawley rolled out the pocket and looked down field. The quarterback would be forced out the pocket before being pulled down, ending the game and handing a shocking win to Mathews.

After the game, Panther head coach Steward Greene was short on words on the performance of his players.

“We started too flat,” said an upset coach. “We didn’t start like we wanted to and didn’t do what we had to do to win the game.

“You have to give Mathews credit because they wanted it a lot more than we did tonight,” he concluded.

The loss is not only disappointing for the Panthers (3-6), but it may jeopardize any postseason hope for Charles City. The Panthers will collide with West Point on Nov. 7, with the winner guaranteed a spot in the field of 16 and the loser waiting to see if they will join.

Mathews——– 7 7 6 8 28
Charles City—–0 7 8 6 21

1st Quarter
M (8:20) Zabel 1 yard run (Kent kick) 7-0
CC (6:19) Wyatt 9 yard run (C. Jones kick) 7-7
2nd Quarter
M (6:42) Correll 11 yard run (Kent kick) 14-7
3rd Quarter
M (4:32) Zabel 40 yard interception return (kick fail) 20-7
CC (0:33) Tyler 20 yard run (Wyatt run) 20-15
4th Quarter
CC (7:59) Jefferson 26 yard run (run fail) 21-20
M (2:01) Hudgins 2 yard run (Foster run) 28-21

Rushing (attempts/yards)
M- Correll 12/86, D. Hudgins 11/53, Foster 9/34, Zabel 7/23, Bozza 4/8, T. Hudgins 5/4, Scales 1/3.
CC- Wyatt 20/113, Crawley 5/50, Tyler 3/36, Jefferson 5/15.

Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
M- T. Hudgins 2/2/42, D. Hudgins 0/1/0, Bozza 0/1/0.
CC- Crawley 8/17/89, 3 int.

Receiving (receptions/yards)
M- Kent 1/29, Correll 1/13.
CC- Tyler 4/52, Hicks 2/17, K. Jones 1/15, Jefferson 1/5.