Streaking Powell stops Halls, 32-7

By Steve Williams

Powell’s tough and talented defense was so good Saturday, Coach Matt Lowe said after the game the Panthers could have won even if their offense hadn’t scored.

In other words, the Panthers weren’t just sack happy; they wanted to light up the scoreboard too against rival Halls.

Powell handed the Red Devils a 32-7 loss and plenty to think about on their long trip back home on Emory Road.

Coach Lowe said there was no question Powell’s defense was the key to the win. “It’s unreal. They’ve done a great job the last five weeks, but today they really came out to play.”

Senior defensive end Charvon Thomas had at least five sacks and back-to-back sacks in one series.

The win was the fifth straight for the Panthers, who are now 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Region 2-5A. For Halls (4-2), it was its first region test.

The feel of the game was a little strange, with it being scheduled in the early afternoon because of Friday’s postponement due to Hurricane Helene. There were many empty seats on both sides probably due to the rain that was in the forecast. A light rain did fall steadily over half of the game but finally let up in the second half.

Powell running back Carson Wheeler, who darts and dips like a humming bird, gave his team the lead in the opening possession with a 52-yard touchdown run as he went around the left end and outran everyone to the end zone. Dylan Stooksbury blocked off the last defender.

Powell again threatened in its second possession, but Halls’ Harlen Hunley forced a fumble.

Late in the first quarter, Powell quarterback Deuce Rodgers was picked off by Halls’ Brody Rogers.

Still, Halls couldn’t pick up a first down and punted for the third straight time.

Halls’ fourth punt was partially blocked and Powell recovered the ball at the Red Devils’ 1-yard line. Rodgers forced his way across the goal line on second down to increase the Panthers’ lead to 13-0.

Halls’ offense finally started moving the ball with quarterback Amari Lethgo throwing for three first downs in a drive to the Powell 34. But Wheeler intercepted his next pass at the 6-yard line.

Two plays later, Halls’ Dom Cupp tipped Rodgers’ pass up in the air and Hunter Toney caught it inside the 5-yard and hauled it into the end zone. The PAT kick cut Powell’s margin to 13-7.

The Red Devils recovered a surprising onside kick and all of a sudden had some huge momentum. But the Powell defense stiffened and forced a punt.

The  momentum that Halls still had didn’t last long after intermission as Powell senior Abu Keefer picked off Lethgo on second down and sprinted into the end zone to up the Panthers’ margin to 19-7.

After Halls punted, Wheeler had runs of 11 and 20 yards that set up Rodgers’ 37-yard TD pass to a streaking Fabby Neiwoh for a commanding 25-7 lead.

The Panthers completed the scoring with Rodgers rolling out to the right and hitting Stooksbury who was all alone and jogged in on the 10-yard play with 3:23 on the clock.

“Our kids fought really hard, we just weren’t opportunistic when it was time to be that,” said Halls Coach Brent Hughes. “We’ve got to heal up quick, grow from this and move on.”

The Red Devils play at Heritage in a region game Friday, while Powell will entertain Karns in a non-region contest.