Despite Daviess County keeping things close in the first half, the Panthers’ offense struggled as Warren East pulled away late for a 24-0 win Friday to kick off the high school football season.
The Panthers (0-1) opened the game with the ball and drove it down to the Warren East 1-yard line on a 12-play drive that covered 69 yards and consumed nearly 8 minutes of the clock. Their hopes of scoring ended when the Raiders’ defense forced their first of three turnovers.
“We’re young, and we knew there was going to be some growing pains early this season,” DC Head Coach Matt Brannon said. “I like our team. I saw positives on both sides of the ball and several mistakes we can clean up moving forward.”
DC’s defense was strong all night despite being faced with short fields for most of the first half. The Panthers forced a Raiders’ turnover on the goal line as Gatlin Maysey stripped the ball carrier just before he reached the end zone. However, the Panthers could not capitalize on the forced turnover and punted the ball back to the Raiders.
It was a defensive battle for most of the first half, as both sides saw drives end in turnovers and stops. Warren East took the lead with a touchdown with 45.9 seconds left in the second quarter, and they held a 6-0 lead at the half.
The third quarter began with the Raiders in possession and the Panther’s defense once again forcing a punt. They drove the ball to midfield but failed to convert a fourth-and-1, leaving Warren East with prime field position. It took the Raiders’ offense only six plays to drive 48 yards, capping off the drive with another rushing TD for a 12-0 lead.
DC’s ensuing drive ended with an interception, setting up the Raiders with a short field again that propelled them to another TD and an 18-0 lead.
The fourth quarter was much of the same, with both teams exchanging punts. The Raiders held the Panthers on downs and punched in the night’s final TD.
Leading the Panthers on the ground was Dartiez Basham with 51 yards on eight attempts and Jace Hunt with five carries for 22 yards. Quarterback Russ Crowe tallied four completions for 23 yards. Tyson Sherron caught two passes for 19 yards. Gil Nicodemus and Luke Floyd had one sack each on the evening, while Maysey forced the lone Raider turnover.
“It’s back to work for us,” Brannon said. “There’s no quit in this team, and I’m confident they will return to practice Monday ready to get better.”
The Panthers return to action next Friday to face cross-town foe Owensboro Catholic, who is coming off a 42-6 win against Apollo.
